Another all-seasons favorite of the community is its library. The newly remodeled Redford Township District Library rivals the most impressive of public libraries across the nation and shows that knockout facilities and services aren’t reserved for huge systems in booming metropolises. With its dedicated and imaginative staff, Redford Township District Library is a popular destination that sees consistent support from its community. Recently celebrating 100 years of service, the library that began as a bookmobile is now a 65,000 square-foot showcase, and setting foot inside immediately reveals the customer-centric, access-minded focus of its team. 

Library Director Garrett Hungerford led the team through the recent, yearlong renovation after completing a strategic plan that pointed to the community’s need and desire for an updated space. The library building was two decades old and due for a significant refresh. 

“We had a bond from the original building that dropped off,” Hungerford says, “and we had a supplemental millage that had been passed, and both of those expired at the exact same time. The nice thing was, we were able to go to the community and say, if you fund us exactly—actually, a little less than—what you’ve been paying for the past twenty years, you’re going to get a fully renovated library with all kinds of updates that will continue to function for the next twenty years.” 

When the library was originally built in 2004, it included approximately 18,000 square feet of unfinished space, purposefully designed for future development. That long-term vision remained on hold until the library was ready to move forward with it. “The original plan was always to finish that space,” Hungerford explains. “During the strategic planning process, we decided it was the right time to reimagine how that area could best serve the community. Everything kicked off from there.” 

They decided the space was well-suited for a new Children’s Department, and in that regard, that particular portion of the overall renovation was more of a new-build. “Renovation is not the right word, because there wasn’t anything to renovate,” Hungerford continues. “There was no demo. It was just open space with concrete floors, being used for storage.”  

Once the decision was made to move the Children’s Department into the space, “…it was kind of musical chairs from there.” There was much hauling of books and other materials up and down stairs and shifting and moving of departments, sometimes more than once, as areas were completed along the way. 

“With how intricate the renovation was, it did take a while,“ Hungerford explains. “We split it into three phases and the intent was always to finish phase one, which was the new kids’ space, and have that open up and start phase two, which was the former kids’ space, and have that open up and start phase three. Well, phase one just kept on going. When we had our ribbon cutting, all of the phases ended up finishing at the same time. It was a long road, but we’re here.” 

That long road resulted in outstanding library spaces clearly designed for patron access, ease, and inspiration. From the distinctive new seating and study areas outfitting the Teen Department, to the filmmaking green screen, to the Library of Things featuring an axe-throwing target set, metal detector, and giant Yardzee set, the offerings of the renovation go well beyond furnishings. Through it all, the library continued its steady stream of activities and events, including monthly visits by locally-owned food trucks. 

Hungerford and his team work to stay ahead of the curve in customer service and access, and Redford District Public Library was one of the first libraries in Michigan to go fine-free. “We’ve done a lot to make ourselves accessible as possible,” he says, “and a great deal of that is our staff leading the way from within.” Part of a cooperative, they also advocated for and achieved auto-renewals on borrowed items, thereby increasing patron convenience. Plus, Redford Township District Library cards only need to be renewed once every three years, instead of annually.  

“There are lots of times when we look at something and try to make it more efficient,” Hungerford shares. “I’m known for saying ‘work smarter, not harder,’ to understand how and why we do things. One of the things we did with the renovation is, we moved our circulation desk so that when you walk through the front entryway, there’s now a staffed welcome desk with three self-checks close by.”