Detroit's Monteith Library Branch to Reopen in February

DETROIT (WJBK) -- Protesters rallied for weeks trying to keep four Detroit public libraries open. Now their efforts are saving one branch from budget cuts. The Monteith Branch is scheduled to reopen.

It was a textbook battle between members of the community and the Detroit Library Commission.

A grassroots group marched and rallied and made their message heard. They did not want the Monteith Library and three others to close, a move that library officials said had to be made because of a $9.2 million budget gap.

"We found out how the commission worked, the library commissioners who they were. We connected with many of our politicians," said Valerie Gleen.

"It was a tooth and nail fight between the commissioners and the community. The community was determined that they were not going to lose their library. They mounted a defense," said Sandra Hines.

And it worked. The group says the commissioners reversed their decision and voted to reopen Monteith, which has served the community since 1926. They say they've also learned a valuable lesson about fighting back.

"What it taught us is that if you hold these people in high positions accountable for their jobs, things can get done," Glenn explained.

"[We're] pushing back. [We're] fighting back. [We're] letting them know that Detroit is a premiere city. We're not going to let them just come in and take it for whatever reasons they want to because we live here. We occupy Detroit for real," Hines said.

We're told this library is expected to reopen in about three weeks, but for now those other three branches will remain closed.

The protesters plan to continue to fight for those other branches. They know that there is a funding problem. They are planning to start a task force to start some fundraising.