News

View the artwork from the MLK Speaks Poster Contest, held annually at the Duffield Branch

The Accounting Aid Society is back at the Detroit Public Library to offer free tax preparation assistance to qualifying (income under $69,000) individuals and families.

Detroit Roots: A Shared History, on view at the Detroit Public Library (Main Library) from January 17 - April 30, 2026, will celebrate our shared connection to Detroit as the country approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026. We’re especially excited for this show—it’s both a tribute to the Detroit Society of Women Painters and Sculptors beginnings in Detroit and a reflection of our shared humanity.

Although all Detroit Public Library locations will be closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 19, 2026), you can access films highlighting Dr. King's life, leadership, and lasting impact through the video streaming platform, Kanopy. Hear Dr. King's speeches and explore award-winning documentaries and biopics, including King in the Wilderness, Selma, and MLK/FBI.

The Knapp Branch is temporarily closed for repairs. For updates, call the Library's TIP Service at 313-481-1400.

The Detroit Public Library has partnered with Forgotten Harvest to provide free meals for families this December. Beginning Saturday, December 6, 2025, all Detroit Public Library locations will have take home meal bags available. Each bag contains 3 breakfast snack items and 3 lunches. The meals can be picked up at any location—while supplies last.

The Detroit Opera presents "The Life and Artistry of William Grant Still" at the Main Library on December 9th at 6pm. The evening will feature performances by Detroit Opera's Resident Artists and the Detroit Opera Orchestra with a discussion led by Community Programs' Director Arthur White and Music Director Roberto Kalb.

Celebrate the season with an afternoon of festive fun at the library! Music performances, crafts, stories, cider and donuts and more.

Many local organizations are available to help individuals and families facing food insecurity. For referrals to nearby food banks and soup kitchens, contact the Library’s TIP Service at 313-481-1400 or call Michigan’s Food & Other Resources Helpline at 888-544-8773. Additional information about food resources is available online.

Grand Gesture celebrates the scale, energy, and emotion that emerge when artists think big. This exhibition transforms the gallery into an immersive visual experience, where paintings, photographs, and mixed media works command attention through bold color, layered textures, and expansive composition.