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GROSSE POINTE FARMS — Renovations and an expansion project at the Central Branch of the Grosse Pointe Public Library, 10 Kercheval Ave. in Grosse Pointe Farms, are temporarily shuttering the branch.
But, to lessen the inconvenience to library patrons, Grosse Pointe Public Library Director Jessica Keyser said the GPPL is opening a pop-up branch/annex nearby on the Hill, on the first floor of 120 Kercheval Ave. Keyser said work at Central was supposed to start at the end of May. The project is slated to take about 18 months to complete, she said.
Because a library is not a permitted use in the B-1 Business District — where the annex will be located — the Grosse Pointe Farms City Council needed to grant the GPPL a temporary use request. The council voted unanimously in favor of the request at a meeting May 9.
At press time, GPPL Marketing and Programming Coordinator Mary Ann Short said the annex would be opening June 6. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, she said. The GPPL has leased the 5,000-square-foot space from May 23, 2022, until Sept. 30, 2023.
Library patrons will be able to use the Henry Ford Health System — Cottage parking deck’s second and fourth floors, Keyser said.
Visitors will be able to access a range of library services at the annex, including browsing new books and DVDs for adults, youths and teens; printing and copying; picking up or placing holds on items; reading current newspapers and magazines; and getting help from library staff. There will be express computer stations for anyone who needs computer access.
In addition, the Central Branch’s popular tool collection — which also includes summer lawn games and telescopes — will be available for checkout.
“This is a great proposal,” Farms City Councilman Lev Wood said of the annex. “I think it’s a win-win for everybody.”
Although the annex gives patrons a place to conduct some library business, unlike the regular branches, it’s more for brief visits.
“It’s not intended as a place to … stay long-term,” Keyser said.
Library officials had been hoping they could direct Central patrons to visit the Woods Branch while Central is undergoing renovations, but the Woods Branch is still in the midst of its own renovations and remains closed for now.
As has been true for many other construction projects, global supply chain problems have caused unanticipated delays for the reopening of the Woods Branch, which had been slated to take place in May, Short said by email. She said the Woods library is now expected to open in July.
“We have experienced supply chain delays of critical items that have impacted our original re-opening date,” Short said in an email.
However, that doesn’t mean there won’t be library activities in the community.
The annual summer reading program — for kids and adults — begins June 1. To sign up, visit gp.beanstack.org/reader365. While supplies last, Short said, kids can pick up a summer reading packet from the Ewald Branch of the GPPL in Grosse Pointe Park.
“There are tons of fun activities planned all summer,” Short said in an email. “We’ll be giving out great prizes for all ages.”
Parents can also bring youngsters to the Ewald Branch for story times. Librarians will be out in the community, as well, visiting the parks for storytelling sessions and bringing books to check out and crafts to make.
In addition, outreach librarians can bring library materials directly to readers. For more information, visit grossepointelibrary.org/outreach-service.
