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Our Story & Mission

The Detroit Public Library opened for service on March 25, 1865. The 5,000 book collection was located in one room of the old Capitol High School on Griswold Street. A committee of the Detroit Board of Education governed the library until 1881, when the six-member Detroit Library Commission took over. Life in Detroit has evolved significantly since the Detroit Public Library first opened. No matter what changes, the library continues to adapt with the city to ensure that Detroiters' needs are met with diverse collections, engaging programs, and enriching classes.

Our Mission

The Detroit Public Library enlightens and empowers people by providing diverse and dynamic pathways to literacy and learning.

Community Reports

2023 / 2024 Community Report

Read the latest annual Community Report from the Detroit Public Library: A Testament to Service.

Read the Report

Past Community Reports

2022 / 2023 Community Report

2020 / 2021 Community Report

2018 / 2019 Community Report

Leadership

Jo Anne G. Mondowney
Executive Director
dir@detroitpubliclibrary.org
Antonio Brown
Chief Financial Officer
abrown@detroitpubliclibrary.org
Margaret Gillis Bruni
Director of Public Services
mbruni@detroitpubliclibrary.org
Rudolph Dale
Information Systems Department Assistant Director
rdale@detroitpubliclibrary.org
Atiim J. Funchess
Assistant Director for Marketing
ajfunchess@detroitpubliclibrary.org
Maria Norfolk
Assistant Director for Finance and Business Office
mnorfolk@detroitpubliclibrary.org
Cledos Powell
Assistant Director for Facilities
cpowell@detroitpubliclibrary.org
Alma Simmons
Special Assistant to Executive Director
asimmons@detroitpubliclibrary.org
LaTanya Tarleton
Director of Human Resources
ltarleton@detroitpubliclibrary.org
Tiffani M. Simon
Assistant Director for Human Resources
tsimon@detroitpubliclibrary.org
Talisha Williams
Assistant Director of Security Operations
twilliams2@detroitpubliclibrary.org

Commission & Cooperative

Detroit Public Library Commission

The Detroit Public Library is governed by a seven member Detroit Library Commission. The 2026 meeting schedule is available on the Commission Page.

View Commission Page

Next Commission Meeting

The next commission meeting will take place on April 21, 2026 at 1:30pm in the Main Library Galleria.

View Meeting Details

Cooperative

The governing body of the Detroit Library Cooperative is the Board of Trustees whose members also serve as members of the Detroit Library Commission. The Executive Director of the Detroit Public Library serves as the Cooperative’s director.

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