Ask a Librarian
One-on-one assistance with reference questions, resource connections and more.
Chat with a Librarian
Our library system offers live librarian support during business hours.
Yes, you'll be talking to a real librarian! Not a bot!
Click on the text-bubble chat button located in the bottom right corner of this website. When a librarian is online and ready to chat, you'll see a three-dot icon appear in the center of the text bubble.
Need Help? Call TIP!
Do you need help with housing, emergency food, taxes or medical care? Looking for assistance with utility bills? Need a phone number?
TIP stands for "The Information Place" and TIP staff can answer these and other questions you may have! You can reach TIP staff at (313)481-1400.
TIP Hours:
| Monday | 10a - 5p |
| Tuesday - Friday | 10a - 6p |
| Saturday, Sunday | Closed |
Ask-A-Librarian Form
Have a question or need assistance and prefer to reach out by email?
You can submit a question through our Ask-A-Librarian form and someone will get back to you via email!
TIP Database
Among the resources on which the TIP librarians rely is the TIP Database, a library-maintained resource file of detailed information on human and social services provided to residents of southeast Michigan by over 2,000 agencies and organizations. For more information, see our TIP Data Development Policy.
Please note that the TIP Database can be searched only from computers in Detroit Public Library buildings. Please ask a librarian to log you in.
View Common Questions
We might already have the answer to your question on this website!
See our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page for answers to our most common questions across library services.