Dearborn’s Bryant Branch Library celebrates its centennial

 

By SUE SUCHYTA

Times-Herald Newspapers

DEARBORN – The Bryant Branch Library celebrated its centennial Dec. 14 with an open house complete with refreshments, a historical photo display and festive holiday decorations.

The Dearborn Garden Club spearheaded the building of the Bryant Library, and ground was broken for the library on Nov. 10, 1923, on land donated in 1923 by Clara Ford, with a Nov. 25, 1924, dedication.

Dearborn Township voters approved a $150,000 bond on April 2, 1923, for the library’s construction.

Originally known as the Mason Library, it served as the city’s main library for 45 years until the Nov. 25, 1969, opening of the Henry Ford Centennial Library.

Library staff member Nicki Goran said the exterior of the building is made of Indiana limestone.

Patty Podzikowski, assistant director of library operations, said the murals in the front foyer are original to the building, as is the Pewabic Pottery tiles adorning the fireplace.

She said the branch library is important to the community and serves many purposes for its patrons.

“They pick up material, they browse, they use our computers, they just sit here to study,” Podzikowski said. “It’s just really a great place to come and be safe and warm and welcomed.”

She said the great thing about libraries is no one is expected to pay for anything.

Podzikowski said in addition to providing free Wi-Fi onsite and from nearby parking, they loan portable HotSpot devices that patrons may take home to connect to the internet.

Goran said that many people walk to the branch library, and many are from the nearby senior apartments.

She said they also have a bus stop in front of the building.

Goran said there are story times on Tuesday evenings, and they always have crafts available for children and adults.

“This was the first freestanding library in the city of Dearborn,” she said. “The first library was originally in a house on Park Street, and when it started, they had like 15 titles; and then they had a reading room at the Commandant’s Quarters, and they had about 1,500 titles, but they were all part of another structure.”

Goran said that while she grew up within walking distance of the Snow Branch Library, she always enjoyed it when her parents drove her to the Bryant Branch.

“It was always special to be brought here,” she said. “Just the character of the building, the ambiance in here. It’s what you picture a library to be in a smaller town.”

Goran said the Bryant Library is homey, and they know their patrons. An elevator was installed in later years to facilitate access for people with disabilities.

She said the staircase in the foyer is marble, and the building rests on granite and is “very well built.”

“I think this building will remain standing forever,” Goran said. “It’s just Indiana limestone, which they just repaired this past year.”

She said the city will invest in some landscaping on the grounds in the spring.

Podzikowski said the Bryant Branch Library is important because it has been in the city for a long time and despite changes, it still serves its community well.

“People still come here to learn, to study, to feel welcome, and we are glad to be here for people,” she said. “Libraries are unique and special and so important, and they’re great for the community.”