Southfield Public Library

Infobox_Library
library_name = Southfield Public Library

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library_
location = Southfield, Michigan
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collection_size = 100,000 volumes
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website = http://sfldlib.org

The Southfield Public Library serves the communities of Southfield, Michigan and Lathrup Village, Michigan.

Services & Collections

Envision our Future - Southfield Public Library Long Range Plan (2001) states: the mission of the Southfield Public Library is to provide information and encourage reading.

The Southfield Public Library’s core values are:
*Knowledge and information are vital to the quality of life.
*Reading gives people the power to improve their lives.

Southfield Public Library provides a book collection of over 100,000 volumes and subscribes to over 300 print magazines and newspapers. Large print titles as well as video magnifiers and computer enhancements are available for individuals with limited vision. Adult learners will find a collection of easy to read literacy primers, ESL (English as a Second Language) workbooks and the ELLIS interactive English language instruction program. Foreign language books, magazines and newspapers are available in various languages. The Library also provides business information.

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

The Library offers over 190 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.

Technology

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

Over 190 public use computers are available for use.

Two 14 seat computer labs provide access to the Microsoft Office Suite and other applications.

Color laser printing is available on all three levels of the Library.

Hundreds of data ports in all public areas for those who wish to bring in their own notebook PCs and connect to the Internet.

Wireless data network connectivity throughout the building for patrons who bring in their own notebook or other device.

Copy rooms are located on each level of the library with photocopiers, color printers and fax machines. A color copier is located in the copy room on the first level.

Branch

The [http://www.sfldlib.org/pages/visit/other_links/johng_branch.asp John Grace Branch] collection includes fiction and nonfiction bestsellers in both hardcover and paperback. The John Grace Branch also offers books for young people, magazines and books-on-tape. Public computers provide access to the Internet, web-based e-mail accounts and to the Southfield Public Library catalog.

History

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 $36,000,000 home on June 15, 2003.

Architecture & Art

Building Area: Total Building Size: 127,000 gross square feet; three levels; Height of Glass Tower: convert|65|ft|m.

Architectural Features and Materials:
*Glass Tower with "Floating" Boardroom
*Generations Tower
*Terrazzo Floors, Pewabic Tile Fireplace, Wood Paneling
*Monumental Public Circulation Stairway
*1,004.5 Tons of Steel
*200,000 Bricks
*492 Tons of Limestone
*30,100 Square Feet of Glass
*320,000 Linear Feet of Electrical Wiring
*5500 Linear Feet of Water Piping
*8000 Linear Feet of Sanitary and Storm Plumbing

Building Amenities:
*Fireplaces on Every Level
*Imaginarium Garden
*Readers’ Tree House
*Storybook Castle with Book Throne and Dragon
*Space Station Room
*Club Q&A
*Southfield History Room
*Two Computer Training Labs
*Quiet Study Room
*Small Group Meeting Rooms on Every Level
*Auditorium and Large Meeting Room
*Café with Indoor Seating and an Outdoor Fountain Terrace
*Second Level Observation Deck
*Satellite Dish
*Drive-up Service Window
*Dedicated Friends Used Book Store Spaces

Permanent Art Collection

First Level: Tower Lobby:"Mark Twain" Bench by Gary Lee Price Studios,"Two Bears", bronze sculpture by Marshall Fredericks 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

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."; 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

External links