The vision of branch libraries for the Ann Arbor District Library system began with former Library Director Homer Chance. Recognizing the need for access to materials and facilities beyond the Downtown Library, Chance opened the first branch library in Ann Arbor, the Loving Branch, in 1965. In 1977, the West Branch (now called "Westgate") opened its doors. The Northeast Branch began serving the community in 1981. Expansion continued in 2004 with the opening of the Malletts Creek Branch as a replacement for the Loving Branch. This branch is a unique model of
sustainable design featuring solar heating, natural day lighting, a vegetated green roof, convection cooling, naturally captured and filtered storm water, native plants and grasses, and many uses of materials that are renewable resources. The Malletts Creek Branch was awarded the 2005 American Institute of Architects Michigan (AIA Michigan) Award for Sustainable Design. In 2006, AADL opened the Pittsfield Branch, a community-based learning center serving the residents of the southwest quadrant of Ann Arbor and Pittsfield Township. This branch, along with its surrounding landscape, capitalizes on environmental principles, allowing the overall project to operate more in harmony with the ecosystem and the community in which it serves. On June 30, 2008, the Traverwood Branch opened, replacing the Northeast Branch. The Traverwood Branch is designed to have as little impact on natural landscape features as possible. Sustainable design features include an innovative stormwater management system and the reuse of harvested ash trees from the building site. A
rain garden is located on the south side of the building. The design of the Branch takes advantage of natural day lighting. Since 2004, the Library's branch expansion program has emphasized
sustainability. By using sustainable design in the construction of each branch, the Library will teach, by example, responsible coexistence with the natural environment. The West Branch closed for renovation in November 2015, reopening in September 2016 as the Westgate Branch. Formerly the smallest in the system, the Westgate Branch quadrupled in size to , adding a cafe operated by
Argus Farm Stop. ==AADL.org==