Today, May 19th, the Detroit Public Library will be conducting community interviews with the candidates for the position of Director of DPL. This is happening in the Friends Auditorium of Main Library, 5201 Woodward Ave. Show up and voice your concerns!
http://events.detnews.com/detroit-mi...r-new-director
How about pushing for a full-on restoration of the DPL's main branch?
This, one of the most magnificent white marble edifices built in America needs it big time.
Anyone notice how the ornately carved marble cornice had trace gilding at a point in time?
It should include a full restoration of the fantastic rear addition as well, with much needed sealing of the Millard Sheets glass tile mosaics, which I believe were lit at night, but haven't seen lights on them in years.
Turn out and find out.
Find out if the new director will have the same regard for this building, and if they will be worthy stewards of it's rich history.
who ever the new director is hopefully she or he will do something about the conditon of the main branch's lack of materials. Every time i go looking for a specific book it is never there; it's either lost or they only have one copy and it is reference. They need to expand and update their catalogs so ppl won't have to waste time playing library lotto.
Many parts of the library are dumpy and seem worn out, but where's the money going to come from to renovate it or restore all the architectural details Lorax mentioned? Realistically, in these economic conditions there's very little chance that millions of additional dollars will be carved out of the city's budget to do major aesthetic work on the library. Not when police and fire are on the chopping block.
The DPL Main Branch is a beautiful building and will one day need a restoration and cleaning of its facade, but now is certainly not the time. How about modernizing the library system, adding wireless internet at all library locations, acquiring more materials, and offering more computers & media stations. Those are the things that will get people to the library, not a facade restoration. The building looks fine.
Well, the building doesn't really look "fine". I guess it depends on what your definition of "fine" is.
The terrace surrounding the building is collapsing. You can't even walk on it now, it's been cordoned off, with only access up to the front doors. The facade, mechanicals, leaking roof, all need repair. The grand stair hall has hand painted ceilings which are being breached by water intrusion.
You won't have a collection or other modern improvements if the building falls apart. It's also a point of pride.
It's probably time for the city to give up ownership of the library system to a regional authority, since the city is more interested in wasting money on other pursuits, while giving lip service to wanting a good library system.
As individuals, we have to give up what we cannot afford to keep, the city should be no different.
It certainly did wonders for the DIA.