The imminent demolition of the deserted J.L. Hudson building may mean closure for the Downtown branch of the Detroit Public Library. The question being asked by staff is whether the closure will be temporary or permanent.
Acting Branch Coordinator Carolyn Owens told American Libraries that staff had been told they would be relocated while the vacant department store--situated hazardously close to the library--is torn down. Special collections housed at the branch are expected to be relocated to other libraries in the system.
Library officials would say only that the closing has not yet been approved by the library commission, whose next meeting is February 17. Ann Gordon, who recently retired as branch coordinator, said that the future of the 66-year-old branch is problematic. Its outmoded infrastructure makes it badly in need of renovation and, she speculated, "chances of this library reopening as it was are nil."
Posted January 26, 1998.