Southfield Public Library

Southfield Public Library provides a book collection of over 250,000 volumes and subscribes to numerous print magazines and newspapers. Large print titles as well as video magnifiers and computer enhancements are available for individuals with limited vision.

A Small Business StartUp Center provides resources for small businesses and non-profits.

The Southfield Public Library also offers a collection of audio books, DVDs, videocassettes, music CDs, electronic books, and downloadable audio books for users.

The Library offers over 120 public computers in addition to wireless access throughout the building. Public computers offer free access to the Library catalog, research sources and the Internet. Hands-on computer classes in two computer labs give participants assistance with the basics of the Internet, email and popular software.

The Southfield Public Library hosts numerous educational and informational programs and exhibits. Regular programs are story times, Battle of the Books, Jazz & Blues @ Your Library, Humanities group, book discussions and more special programs. The library also has four different exhibit areas with rotating exhibits.

Approximately 1,000 data, voice and video connections located throughout the building.

Over 120 public use computers are available for use. Starting June 28, 2010 PC Share was started on all computers to allow everyone access to the computers.

Library services began for the people living in the Township of Southfield in 1844. The services proved so popular that by 1845 Township rules were adopted for the Southfield Township Library. The early Library system relied heavily on the school districts. Every three months, the Township librarian took a rotating collection of books to each school. After 1859, not much is known about library services in the Township of Southfield.

In the 1950s, a group of citizens began a campaign for a public library in the newly formed City of Southfield. This group eventually became known as the Friends of the Southfield Public Library. Their efforts were successful and on February 3, 1960 the first Southfield Public Library opened its doors in a renovated two-room school house.

It quickly became apparent that the Library would need a new building in order to keep up with the rapid growth and vitality of the new City of Southfield. In 1964, the Library moved to a new building in the Southfield Civic Center complex. The 1960s and 1970s were years of continued growth for the City of Southfield and its Library. To keep pace with the City's expansion, an enlarged and renovated Southfield Public Library was made available to the community in 1980.

By the mid 1980s, Southfield's reputation as a center for business solidified as a number of Fortune 500 companies moved their world headquarters to the city.

In 1999, Southfield voters approved a millage increase to build and operate a new library building. The new Southfield Public Library opened the doors to its new $36 million home on June 15, 2003.

On May 3, 2011 Southfield voters approved a millage for police and fire protection, library operations, street maintenance and parks and recreation programming. The millage was passed with over 83% of the vote.[1]

On September 4, 2012 the library began shortened hours due to property tax revenue decreases. The new hours are: Mondays & Wednesdays: 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Tuesdays & Thursdays: 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; Fridays: closed; Saturdays: 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Sundays: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (from September – May) [2][3]

Friday hours from 1:00 - 5:00pm were added on June 7, 2013.[2]

On June 3, 2019 the library extended hours[4]. The new hours are:

• Monday: 1:00 pm – 9:00 pm
• Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
• Friday: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
• Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Sunday: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm (September - May)

Building Area: Total Building Size: 127,000 gross square feet; three levels; Height of Glass Tower: 65 feet (20 m).

Permanent Art Collection

First Level: Tower Lobby: Mark Twain Bench by Gary Lee Price Studios, Boy and Bear[5] and Two Bears, bronze sculptures by Marshall Fredericks, Martin Luther King Jr. bust by James Spearman[6]

First Level: Imaginarium Garden: Journeys of the Imagination by Gary Lee Price Studios, Seasons of the Imagination, tiles by Laurie Eisenhardt, Birdhouses from Maine by Naturally Wood, Book sculpture and Butterfly Bench

First Level: Circulation Lobby Wind Blowing by Jerry Pinkney, Sophie and Rose by Wendy Anderson Halperin, Bedtime Stories by Jane Dyer, Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea by Floyd Cooper, The Voyage Begins by Anthony Bacon Venti, Dave the Potter by Bryan Collier

First Level: Youth Floor: Cat in the Hat by David McKnight, Emerald City Designs; Dr. Seuss sculptures:The Tufted Gustard, Two Horned Drouberhannis, Andulovian Grackler, Blue-Green Abelard, Seuss Sawfish, Mulberry Street Unicorn, Semi-Normal Green Lidded Fawn, Flaming Herring, Carbonic Walrus, Gimlet Fish, Sea Going Dilemma Fish, Powerless Puffer and Sludge Tarpon.; Dr. Seuss prints: Singing Cats; Oh, the Places You’ll Go; Fox in Socks; A Plethora of Fish; Oh, The Stuff You Will Learn

Second Level: Quiet Study Room: Book Quilt by the staff of the Southfield Public Library

Third Level: Administration Office: Twist Sculpture by Rollin Karg Glass Studio, Les Fleurs de Babylone Art Quilt by Joy Saville, Transformation Art Glass by Janet Kelman, Still Water Reflections Fiber Wall Piece by Tim Harding

• Reading Into the Future by Eva Gronowska at newsweek.com -
• 2004 Building Team Project of the Year Awards by Building Design and Construction
• Southfield Public Library's vision, mission and value statements -
• Southfield Public Library website