Detroit Public Library, Duffield Branch; Detroit, Michigan
Posted by: 
boatchick
N 42° 21.787 W 083° 05.585
17T E 327641 N 4692216
A $750,000 Carnegie grant to the Detroit Public Library provided funds for the Main Library and eight branches. The Duffield Branch is still in use as a library.
Waymark Code: WM62AB
Location: Michigan, United States
Date Posted: 03/21/2009
Views: 6
The Detroit Public Library was established in 1865 with a five thousand volume collection stored in a room at Capitol High School. A dedicated library was built at Centre Park in 1875. As the city of Detroit grew and the library collection got bigger, the Centre Park location was expanded and several branch libraries were built. A 1901 Carnegie grant provided $750,000 for the construction of a new main library and eight branches. Of that grant, Carnegie required that at least half the amount be dedicated to the branches. Detroit accepted the grant in 1910, and the libraries were built from then until the Main library was completed in 1921.
The Divie Duffield branch was named for a Detroit lawyer who also served as president of the Detroit Library Commission. The limestone building designed by Marcus Burrowes, was opened 24 November 1916. The entrance to the branch is into a small lobby behind the circulation desk, which in turn opens into the large, open main room. Across from the circulation desk are stairs leading to the second floor and to the basement. Off the main room are two smaller rooms with fireplaces. The ceilings are decorated with fancy plaster grapevine patterns. The Duffield branch is still open and has programs including field trips, computer classes, and an annual Black Hero's Essay and Oratorical Contest for schoolchildren.
References:
Jones, Theodore: Carnegie Libraries Across America
Woodford, Arthur B.: Parnassus on Main Street
Detroit Public Library
Duffield Branch, DPL