Francis Parkman Branch — Detroit Public Library
🏢 Detroit Public Library · Detroit, Michigan
Francis Parkman Branch — Detroit Public Library
Open since 1931, the Francis Parkman Branch on Oakman Boulevard honors the great 19th-century American historian who chronicled France and England's struggle for North America. Today it offers Northwest Detroit residents a Letter Writing Project, public computers, MobilePrint, and access to DPL's full digital collection — with evening hours on Mondays and Wednesdays.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 12pm–8pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 12pm–8pm |
| Thursday | 10am–6pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 10am–6pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 1766 Oakman Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48238
Phone: (313) 481-1810
Website: detroitpubliclibrary.org
Plus Code: 86JR9VWF+M4 (Detroit, MI)
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📖 About Francis Parkman Branch — Detroit Public Library
The Francis Parkman Branch of the Detroit Public Library opened in 1931 on Oakman Boulevard in the northwest side of Detroit, named for Francis Parkman Jr. (1823–1893), the Boston-born historian whose seven-volume France and England in North America remains a landmark of American historical writing. Parkman also authored The Oregon Trail (1847) and was a Harvard professor of horticulture, but his lasting fame rests on his meticulous, literary histories of colonial North America. The branch serves the surrounding residential neighborhoods near Linwood and offers standard public library services — public computers, wireless MobilePrint via the Princh app, and a distinctive Letter Writing Project that invites visitors to unplug and rediscover handwritten correspondence. As part of the Detroit Public Library system, Parkman cardholders access Libby/OverDrive, hoopla, LinkedIn Learning, and the statewide Michigan eLibrary (MeL).
⭐ What makes this library special
- Opened in 1931 — one of DPL's mid-century Northwest Detroit neighborhood anchors on Oakman Blvd
- Named for Francis Parkman Jr. (1823–1893), historian of France and England in North America and author of The Oregon Trail
- Hosts a unique Letter Writing Project — an interactive station to unplug and rediscover handwritten correspondence
- Open late on Mondays and Wednesdays until 8 p.m. for evening visits
- MobilePrint (Princh) service lets patrons submit print jobs remotely from any device
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Parkman cardholders can borrow, stream, and research for free through DPL's digital platforms and Michigan's statewide eLibrary:
📚 Services
- Public computers and free Wi-Fi
- MobilePrint (Princh) wireless printing from phone, tablet, or laptop
- Photocopying and printing on-site
- Letter Writing Project interactive correspondence station
- Library card registration and renewals
- Interlibrary loan through the DPL system
- Access to DPL digital collections (Libby, hoopla, LinkedIn Learning)
🎸 Programs
- Letter Writing Project (handwritten correspondence program)
- Children's and youth programming
- Adult literacy and learning programs
- Community events and cultural programming
- Summer reading challenge
📍 Nearby Detroit Public Library Branches
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Francis Parkman, and why is this branch named after him?
Francis Parkman Jr. (1823–1893) was one of America's foremost 19th-century historians, best known for his seven-volume series France and England in North America and his classic The Oregon Trail (1847). He was also a Harvard professor and a pioneering figure in serious American historical scholarship. The Detroit branch bears his name in recognition of his contributions to American letters and history.
What is the Letter Writing Project at the Francis Parkman Branch?
The Letter Writing Project is an interactive station at the branch that invites visitors to unplug from screens, slow down, and rediscover the joy of handwritten letters. Patrons can write correspondence to neighbors and community members — a distinctive program that sets the Parkman Branch apart from other DPL locations.
When did the Francis Parkman Branch open, and where is it located?
The Francis Parkman Branch opened in 1931 and is located at 1766 Oakman Boulevard in Northwest Detroit (zip 48238), near the Linwood corridor. It is one of the Detroit Public Library system's mid-20th-century neighborhood branches serving the northwest side of the city.
What are the evening hours at the Francis Parkman Branch?
The branch is open until 8 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays (with a noon start those days). Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday hours run 10 a.m.–6 p.m. The branch is closed on Fridays and Sundays.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.