Grand Rapids Public Library

Public library system in Michigan, USA

42°57′54″N 85°39′57″W / 42.9649°N 85.6659°W / 42.9649; -85.6659LocationGrand Rapids, MichiganEstablished1871Branches8CollectionSize2,219,688Access and usePopulation served197,000Other informationBudget$9.34 million (2017)^[1]DirectorJohn McNaughtonEmployees170Websitehttp://www.grpl.org

The Grand Rapids Public Library located in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan and also includes seven branch libraries throughout the city. The library system has 170 full and part-time employees and has a service area of roughly 197,000 people.

History

The Grand Rapids Public Library was founded in 1871 and was located within the Grand Rapids City Hall. In 1904, the library moved to the Ryerson building which served as a permanent home for the library. The building was a gift from arts and education benefactor, and native son, Martin A. Ryerson. In 1967, the library expanded to more than double in size. The addition was named the Keeler wing, in honor of a $1.2 million gift from Mike and Mary Ann Keeler. In 2001, renovation began that forced the library to operate out of a nearby warehouse. The library was able to move back to 111 Library St. NE in 2003.^[2]

Locations

Branch	Address
Main Library	111 Library St. NE
Madison Square Branch	1201 Madison SE
Ottawa Hills Branch	1150 Giddings SE
Seymour Branch	2350 Eastern SE
Van Belkum Branch	1563 Plainfield NE
West Leonard Branch	1017 Leonard NW
West Side Branch	713 Bridge NW
Yankee Clipper Branch	2025 Leonard NE

References

^ "Grand Rapids Public Library Operating Fund 218 Revenue 2017 Budget" (PDF). Grand Rapids Public Library. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
^ "History of the Library". Grand Rapids Public Library. Retrieved 8 October 2017.