Duluth Public Library
Encyclopedia
The Duluth Public Library is located in downtown Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
. It is a part of the Arrowhead Library System and serves a population of 86,918.
Services
The Duluth Public Library’s collection includes books, audiobooks, downloadable e-books, DVDs, CDs, videotapes, recordings, large-print materials, maps, globes, framed prints, pamphlet files, story kits, government documents, newspapers, serials, and microfilm. The library provides free access to computers with internet access, word processing, tutorials on computer use, reference database subscriptions, children’s games, and printers. Free wireless internet access is also available.Other services include interlibrary loan, and research and reference help.
History
In 1980, a new Duluth Public Library building opened at 520 W. Superior St. Noted architect Gunnar BirkertsGunnar Birkerts
Gunnar Birkerts is a prominent American architect who, for most of his career, was based in the metropolitan area of Detroit, Michigan. Some of his designs include the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York, Marquette Plaza in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in...
designed the building. In 2008 it underwent renovations, including an expanded computer lab, new carpeting throughout, and new furniture. Later that year, Mayor Don Ness
Don Ness
Don Ness is an American politician from Duluth, Minnesota, and the current mayor of that city. He is a member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.-Early life and education:...
made extensive cuts to the city budget, and as a result, library employees were laid off and hours were reduced. Currently, the main library is open six days a week (five days a week during the summer), and each of the branches is open three times a week.
In July 2009, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is the largest transparently operated private foundation in the world, founded by Bill and Melinda Gates. It is "driven by the interests and passions of the Gates family"...
gave the Duluth Public Library an Opportunity Online Hardware Grant to be used for the purchase of new computers. The grant required that the library and community raise matching funds within two years. The Friends of the Duluth Public Library began an active fundraising campaign. Between public donations and a grant from the John S. and James L. Foundation, matching funds were raised.
Special Collections
- The Duluth Collection includes books by or about Duluth residents, as well as materials on local history, politics, architecture, business, and education.
- The Minnesota Collection includes books by Minnesota authors, as well as materials related to Minnesota and Lake Superior.
- Views of Duluth is a collection of William Norman's framed lithographs depicting scenes of Duluth.
- Book Club in a Bag is a collection of book club kits that each include ten copies of a book and a study guide.
- The Toy Collection is an assortment of games, toys, and flash cards available for circulation.
Programs and Events
- One Book, One Community is a citywide reading project that encourages citizens to read a particular book. A committee chooses a new book each year and the library plans supplementary programs and lectures.
- iFilms is a free film series featuring independent and international films.
- Storytimes for children are held weekly.
- Annual Used Book Sale is organized by the Friends of the Duluth Public Library to raise money for library programs and materials.
- Kaleidoscope is a series of entertainment programs for children, held on the Library Plaza every summer.
- Tax Preparation Help is provided every year by accounting students from the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
Branches
- Main Library
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- 520 W. Superior St.
- Mt. Royal Branch
- 105 Mt. Royal Shopping Circle
- West Duluth Branch
- 5830 Grand Avenue
- 520 W. Superior St.
2009 Statistics
- Circulation: 881,268
- Number of visits: 362,719
- Reference questions answered: 67,460
- Total number of materials: 620,941