Laura Ingalls Wilder Branch — Detroit Public Library
🏢 Detroit Public Library · Detroit, Michigan
Laura Ingalls Wilder Branch — Detroit Public Library
Named for the beloved author of the 'Little House' series, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Branch of the Detroit Public Library has served the East 7 Mile Road corridor since 1967. A Narendra Patel metal wall sculpture inspired by 'The Little House in the Big Woods' greets visitors in the exterior court, and the Burton Historical Collection at DPL's Main Library holds manuscripts Wilder herself donated.
🕑 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: 7140 East 7 Mile Road, Detroit, MI 48234
Phone: (313) 481-1870
Website: detroitpubliclibrary.org
Plus Code: 86JRCXMC+F2 (Detroit, MI)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Laura Ingalls Wilder Branch — Detroit Public Library
The Laura Ingalls Wilder Branch opened on February 6, 1967 at 7140 East 7 Mile Road in Detroit's northeast side, replacing a temporary branch that had served the neighborhood since 1949. It is one of more than 20 branches of the Detroit Public Library, Michigan's largest urban public library system, founded in 1865. The branch takes its name from Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867–1957), whose handwritten manuscripts of 'The Long Winter' and 'These Happy Golden Years,' along with photographs and personal documents, were donated to DPL and are now housed in the Burton Historical Collection at the Main Library on Woodward Avenue. An exterior metal sculpture by Detroit artist Narendra Patel, inspired by 'The Little House in the Big Woods,' decorates the branch's outer court. MobilePrint (via Princh) lets patrons print documents from any device for pickup at the branch.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Named for Laura Ingalls Wilder — DPL holds her donated manuscripts of 'The Long Winter' & 'These Happy Golden Years' in its Burton Historical Collection
- Narendra Patel exterior metal sculpture inspired by 'The Little House in the Big Woods' graces the branch court
- Opened February 6, 1967, replacing the original 1949 temporary branch on the East 7 Mile Road corridor
- MobilePrint via Princh — print from any phone, laptop or tablet and collect at the branch
- Extended evening hours Monday and Wednesday until 8pm serve after-work and after-school visitors
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Detroit Public Library cardholders unlock Michigan's full statewide digital collection plus DPL's own streaming and learning platforms:
📚 Services
- Public computers and free Wi-Fi
- MobilePrint (Princh) — print from phone, laptop or tablet, pick up at branch
- Photocopying and scanning
- Reference and readers' advisory assistance
- Interlibrary loan through MeLCat statewide network
- Children's and youth collections
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and early literacy activities
- After-school homework help and youth programming
- Summer reading program
- Community events and author presentations
- Technology help sessions
📍 Nearby Libraries in Detroit
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the Wilder Branch named after?
The branch is named for Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867–1957), author of the beloved 'Little House' series. Wilder personally donated handwritten manuscripts of 'The Long Winter' and 'These Happy Golden Years,' along with photographs and documents, to the Detroit Public Library. Those materials are now preserved in DPL's Burton Historical Collection at the Main Library on Woodward Avenue.
What is the metal sculpture outside the Wilder Branch?
The exterior court of the branch features a metal wall sculpture by Detroit artist Narendra Patel. The piece was inspired by Wilder's first 'Little House' book, 'The Little House in the Big Woods,' and has been a landmark of the branch since it opened in 1967.
What are the Wilder Branch's hours, and is it open on Fridays?
The branch is open Monday and Wednesday noon–8pm, Tuesday and Thursday 10am–6pm, and Saturday 10am–6pm. It is closed on Fridays and Sundays — a schedule change DPL introduced so that all branches open on Saturdays.
Can I print documents at the Wilder Branch without a library card?
Yes. The branch uses MobilePrint powered by Princh, which lets you send a print job from your phone, laptop or tablet — no library card required to print. You pay for your pages and collect them at the branch printer.
🖨 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.
✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.