Ann Arbor District Library – Traverwood Branch

This is the nicest, quietest and most convenient library I’ve been too in Ann Arbor. The service desk people are very friendly and resourceful. This is a great place to study. Wether your in high-​school or college or just want to get away.

I saw this listing as I was perusing Unilocal and I was rather surprised that the library is listed. I do have to stop and give them 5 stars for the wonderful job they are doing because I have gotten so much from them for so little. It is very easy for me to order Books, CDs and DVDs online and then just pick them up off the shelves when they are ready. Honestly I save so much money getting most of my DVDs there rather than renting them. The staff is always more than helpful, and when I have any little minor problem they just credit my account before I even ask. The building is just amazing, they won some sort of award for the design back in 2009. Great place to go if you need internet as well. They have saved me more than once when my Comcast went down. It is so much nicer than the old branch in the Plymouth Mall that I remember growing up.

The kids side is on the right, and it’s louder.
Overall it’s a good place to study. They have vending machines that take credit cards so you have drinks/​snacks while you study.
Great place to check out DVDs, although a number of them are scratched up and mess up during playback.

Wonderful space that is very conducive to working or studying: quiet, peaceful, clean, comfy, numerous outlets and tables, truly lovely view for when you need a mental break. Well stocked with the classics and a very impressive movie and music collection. Friendly and helpful staff. There’s even a vending area with decent coffee and snacks. Well done, A2 library system!

Nice building but it is full of foreign students taking up all the spots.

I love this library! A great place to study with free parking. Also able to request books from other libraries in Michigan. Has computers, decent book collection, some dvds, and vending machines if you really get into studying all day.

Always super nice. =0)

I used to be exclusive to the downtown branch but I’ve recently decided to explore this one. It’s awesome! The architecture, huge windows, and hardwood floors give it such a clean, unique feel. I still go to the downtown library to get books because their collection is bigger, but Traverwood is by far the best place to study.

Man, I’m so glad I discovered this place, or rather that Jen H. introduced me to it. I’ve spent some time here studying for various exams, printing off resumes or cover letters or just checking out the movie selection. I must say I enjoy being here a lot better than the downtown branch – This one feels bright and cheery compared to the one on fifth which seems to be overrun with people using the library to talk on their cell phones or use the bathrooms.
The staff is friendly, there’s generally a nice quiet, studious ambiance and I love that I don’t have to pay or struggle to find parking. It does tend to get loud once schools lets out and the kids take over, but generally it’s not a problem.

I am spoiled as I have lived in many cities with many great libraries in my time, and this is one of them. It has that balance of being nice and modern without being stark and uncomfortable. I try to come here as much as possible; I’ve even met clients here. It’s a drastic difference from the downtown location, and I’m thankful for it.

I was mildly irritated they were going to spend my A2 property tax money on building a new branch for the NE side of town. Sure, the old one was in the Plymouth Mall and looked somewhat seedy, but hey, it worked.
Once the Traverwood Branch opened, I changed my mind. The extra room is awesome. There’s a room in the back where they have a kid’s room where I can let my daughter loose. They have a really serious DVD selection that is good enough to cancel my Netflix account.
I love this library. My family visits it regularly!

Is it possible to be in love with a library?
I definitely love this one, and hanging out here for an afternoon reminded me of my now-​and-​again itch to become a librarian. I mean, just to work in this space would be pretty cool. The collection seems fairly large, though, for a branch, and the AADL’s online system makes it so very easy to select a book and have it waiting for you at a particular pick-​up location.
The design of this building is gorgeous — a balance of modern elements and the natural environment. The salvaged ash trees (I’m figuring the Emerald Ash Borer got a hold of them) are gorgeous up against the huge, windows, which lend the space a very open, optimistic feel, even on a grey-​ish day.
Light streams in, but there are also shades (that seem automated) that make sure there’s not too much light in your face. It seems every work area and table has several outlets (yes!), and the kids’ area made me want to get down on the floor and play. Add in vending machines, and some very mod-​yet-​comfy furniture, and I think I may have found another new office!

It’s so new, it’s not even open yet. It’s the Ann Arbor Library’s newest branch on the corner of Huron and Traverwood.
When it’s done, the interior of the building will have some awesome handcrafted wood paneling, as well as pillars made from whole trunks of ash trees that were harvested from the property. The pillars are already in place – they went up early in the process, because they do actually hold up the building. All the trees had to come down because they were damaged by emerald ash borers, but the library found a good use for them. Wood paneling in the same area is going to wrap from the walls around the corner onto the ceiling, so some very talented craftsmen will be figuring out how to make that work.
The grand opening is expected to be mid-​summer, but the library isn’t setting a date until all the small details are taken care of.
The Traverwood branch will have all the amenities that other branches have: internet access, public meeting spaces and lots of books.
For more information about the new building, check out this web site: