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Grand Rapids Public Library

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Grand Rapids Public Library
Main library
Map
42°57′54″N 85°39′57″W / 42.9649°N 85.6659°W / 42.9649; -85.6659
LocationGrand Rapids, Michigan
Established1871
Branches8
Collection
Size2,219,688
Access and use
Population served
200,808 (2026 est.)
Other information
Budget$15.6 million (2026)[1]
DirectorJohn McNaughton
Employees170
Websitehttp://www.grpl.org

The Grand Rapids Public Library (GRPL) is the public library system of Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1871, the system consists of a Main Library in downtown Grand Rapids and seven branch libraries throughout the city. GRPL is governed by a publicly elected Board of Library Commissioners.

History

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The Grand Rapids Public Library was founded in 1871 through a partnership between the Grand Rapids Board of Education, the Ladies Literary Association, and the YMCA. In 1904, the Main Library moved into the Ryerson Building, a gift from Grand Rapids native and Chicago philanthropist Martin A. Ryerson, who assumed funding of the project after Andrew Carnegie withdrew his pledge. The first branch library, the West Side Branch, opened in 1908. A major addition to the Main Library was dedicated in 1969, more than doubling its size.

In 1997, voters approved a millage to fund improvements to the city's libraries, with a large portion directed toward renovating the Main Library.[2] Renovation began in 2001, integrating the original 1904 Ryerson Building with its 1960s addition, which was renamed the Keeler wing in honor of a $1.2 million gift from Mike and Mary Ann Keeler. The renovation was completed in 2003. In 2021, GRPL celebrated its 150th anniversary.[3]

Foundation

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The Grand Rapids Public Library Foundation (GRPLF) is an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides fundraising and advocacy support for GRPL, administering funds for endowment, capital, and special projects.[4] The Foundation provided funding for the DigiBridge Initiative, a partnership with Grand Rapids Public Schools aimed at improving access to digital library resources for 17,000 students, which earned GRPL the 2015 Public Library Association Upstart Library Innovation Award.[5]

Locations

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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

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  1. ↑ "Grand Rapids Public Library Board Approved Budget Fiscal Year 2026" (PDF). Grand Rapids Public Library. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  2. ↑ Kathryn Bishop Eckert. "Grand Rapids Public Library (Ryerson Library)". SAH Archipedia. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  3. ↑ "History of the Library". Grand Rapids Public Library. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Our Mission". Grand Rapids Public Library Foundation. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  5. ↑ "PLA awards recognize 15 individuals and public libraries representing excellence". American Library Association. February 2015. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
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