Solar Eclipse Glasses

All Libraries are OUT OF STOCK with Solar Eclipse Glasses.

Support the Library

Gardening at the Library

Multiple Libraries & Times
Discover a gardening program to spring your Spring forward! Start Here and develop your green thumb at the library!

Hattiloo at the Libraries

North Library
May 4 11:00 AM
Hattiloo Theatre performs a live children play based on the book, Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters. Attendees will be able to participate in an interactive activity based on the play following the performance. 

AAPI Student Art Competition Art Show Opening

Cossitt Library
May 6 6:00 PM
This year is the inaugural AAPI Heritage Month Memphis Student Art Competition. Join us as we celebrate the power of creativity to bridge cultures and forge connections. On display are the winning artwork from Memphis and Shelby County K-12 students.

“Mental Health Today” with Dr. Dodson

Whitehaven Library
May 11 10:00 AM
Participants will learn feelings identification to increase emotional intelligence; study how brain development influences mood; and explore the intersections of race, gender & communication skills. 

Hollywood Community Resource Fair

Hollywood Library
May 11 12:00 PM
The Hollywood Community is filled with resources for all of our neighbors. Join us for our Hollywood Community Resource Fair as we share information on health, education, and employment. There will also be games and crafts for all ages! 

East Shelby Branch Library’s 6th Annual Mother-Daughter Tea

East Shelby Library
May 11 2:00 PM
On Saturday, May 11, 2024, from 2-4 pm, the East Shelby Branch Library will host their 6th Annual Mother-Daughter Tea Party! The theme for the event will be Aladdin, so come in costume if you like.

Comic Con

Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
May 18 10:00 AM
Hey, fans of comics, movies, anime, manga, video games and pop culture in general! Come check out legendary comic creators Matt Wagner and Gene Ha as well as more than 50 local vendors selling art, comics, toys, prints, graphic novels, art supplies, knick-knacks and more! Register for the Cosplay Contest and Super Smash Bros. Tournament!

North Branch Community Health Fair

North Library
May 29 10:00 AM
The North Branch Library is excited to invite you to participate in our upcoming Community Health Fair. Our goal is to inform and empower our community by providing valuable health resources and promoting healthier lifestyles.

25th Annual Frayser Fun Fest

Frayser Library
May 31 2:00 PM
Join us for the 25th annual Frayser Fun Fest! Enjoy vendors, games, and more as we say goodbye to the old Frayser Branch building.

Memphis Sound Connection

Discover Memphis Sound Connection: free platform showcasing local music. Join now and explore the city’s musical diversity!

Memphis Public Libraries Newsletter

April
Check out our newsletter for what’s coming up this month!!

Creative Aging Programs

Talented professional artists and musicians play, perform and teach at locations where seniors live and gather. Musical performances and hands-on arts workshops reach diverse audiences, improving participants’ cognitive vitality and emotional well-being, and making arts access a reality.

Email Sign-up

Do you receive our monthly newsletter in your inbox? Or do you receive our book recommendations? How about hold notices? Sign up your email today!

Upcoming Events

View our full calendar of events!

CodeCrafters: Intro to Web Development
Hollywood Library
Tue., Apr. 23, 4:00 pm

Long Live the King!-Chess Club
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Tue., Apr. 23, 6:00 pm

Pickleball with Purpose
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Tue., Apr. 23, 6:00 pm

Toddler Storytime
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Wed., Apr. 24, 10:15 am

Lev(I)magination Storytime
Levi Library
Wed., Apr. 24, 10:30 am

Blast Off to Science Storytime! Science Day Fun!
Cornelia Crenshaw Memorial Library
Wed., Apr. 24, 10:30 am

Storytime
Cordova Library
Wed., Apr. 24, 11:00 am

Earth Day Celebration: Little Plant Garden!
Whitehaven Library
Wed., Apr. 24, 2:00 pm

After School Club
Officer Geoffrey Redd Library
Wed., Apr. 24, 3:30 pm

CodeCrafters: Intro to Web Development
Hollywood Library
Wed., Apr. 24, 4:00 pm

Hollywood's Poet Corner
Hollywood Library
Wed., Apr. 24, 4:00 pm

Literacy in Motion: Ballet
Cossitt Library
Wed., Apr. 24, 6:00 pm

Story Time
Officer Geoffrey Redd Library
Thu., Apr. 25, 10:30 am

Storytime
Cordova Library
Thu., Apr. 25, 11:00 am

Hunt through History
Hollywood Library
Thu., Apr. 25, 3:00 pm

CodeCrafters: Intro to Web Development
Hollywood Library
Thu., Apr. 25, 4:00 pm

STEAM: VR gameday!
North Library
Thu., Apr. 25, 4:00 pm

STEM Club
South Library
Thu., Apr. 25, 4:00 pm

CodeCrafters: Intro to Web Development
Hollywood Library
Tue., Apr. 23, 4:00 pm

Computer Club
South Library
Tue., Apr. 23, 4:00 pm

Tech Help @ the Haven
Whitehaven Library
Tue., Apr. 23, 6:00 pm

Long Live the King!-Chess Club
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Tue., Apr. 23, 6:00 pm

Pickleball with Purpose
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Tue., Apr. 23, 6:00 pm

Chair Yoga
South Library
Wed., Apr. 24, 1:00 pm

After School Club
Officer Geoffrey Redd Library
Wed., Apr. 24, 3:30 pm

CodeCrafters: Intro to Web Development
Hollywood Library
Wed., Apr. 24, 4:00 pm

Expressing Myself Through Creative Writing
North Library
Wed., Apr. 24, 4:00 pm

Rhythms of India: Traditional Dance & Culture
CLOUD901
Wed., Apr. 24, 4:00 pm

Teen Innovation Center
Cordova Library
Wed., Apr. 24, 4:30 pm

Harmony @ The Haven
Whitehaven Library
Wed., Apr. 24, 5:00 pm

Compose Yourself 2.0: Digital Literacy
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Wed., Apr. 24, 5:30 pm

Bingo
South Library
Thu., Apr. 25, 2:00 pm

Hunt through History
Hollywood Library
Thu., Apr. 25, 3:00 pm

Teen Advisory Board
Bartlett Library
Thu., Apr. 25, 3:00 pm

CodeCrafters: Intro to Web Development
Hollywood Library
Thu., Apr. 25, 4:00 pm

STEAM: VR gameday!
North Library
Thu., Apr. 25, 4:00 pm

TANL: Anti-Procrastination Café
CLOUD901
Thu., Apr. 25, 4:00 pm

Lit at the Library: Living Poets Society
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Thu., Apr. 25, 6:00 pm

Power Hour
Levi Library
Tue., Apr. 23, 12:30 pm

Friends of the North Library
North Library
Tue., Apr. 23, 4:00 pm

The Podcast Office Hours
Cossitt Library
Tue., Apr. 23, 5:00 pm

Let's Get Moving featuring Yoga
Cordova Library
Tue., Apr. 23, 5:30 pm

Tech Help @ the Haven
Whitehaven Library
Tue., Apr. 23, 6:00 pm

Long Live the King!-Chess Club
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Tue., Apr. 23, 6:00 pm

Pickleball with Purpose
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Tue., Apr. 23, 6:00 pm

The Wellness of Words: A Guided Writing Experience
Cossitt Library
Tue., Apr. 23, 6:00 pm

Computer Basics
Frayser Library
Wed., Apr. 24, 10:15 am

Computer Basics
Parkway Village Library
Wed., Apr. 24, 10:30 am

Creative Aging Studio Courses: Acrylic Painting
Cossitt Library
Wed., Apr. 24, 10:30 am

Line Dancing at Raleigh
Raleigh Library
Wed., Apr. 24, 10:30 am

Computer Basics
Parkway Village Library
Wed., Apr. 24, 10:30 am

Power Hour
Levi Library
Wed., Apr. 24, 12:30 pm

Chair Yoga
South Library
Wed., Apr. 24, 1:00 pm

Colorcopia: Free Art Class
Officer Geoffrey Redd Library
Wed., Apr. 24, 2:00 pm

Learn to Speak English
Cordova Library
Wed., Apr. 24, 4:00 pm

Overcoming Autism
Raleigh Library
Wed., Apr. 24, 4:00 pm

"Chair Yoga"
North Library
Wed., Apr. 24, 4:30 pm

Do you want to become a U. S. Citizen?
Cordova Library
Wed., Apr. 24, 5:00 pm

View our full calendar of events!

Library Videos & Posts

Bookstock 2024

We are just one month away from BOOKSTOCK 2024! The Memphis Area Authors' Festival is on April 6 at the Benjamin L Hooks Central Library. Check out this video and learn more about this year's featured authors and what is planned for this fantastic event that supports local writers. We are counting down the days until this event! #Bookstock #MPL

Posted by Memphis Public Libraries on Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Graduates get a first look at the Melrose High School building renovation

Graduates of the old Melrose High began singing the school song as they got a tour of the renovation of the property. The former school is being transformed into a library and genealogy center, and senior apartments. Phase 1 of construction should be complete in early 2024.

Posted by Memphis Public Libraries on Monday, November 27, 2023
Get ready Memphis Gardeners!

Spring is just around the corner, and MPL is ramping up its gardening programs and activities. From the Seed Library open house to programs to teach you how to test your soil to active garden clubs, MPL is your gardening source. Check out the gardening section on our website at memphislibrary.org to find upcoming activities.

Posted by Memphis Public Libraries on Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Overdue book? Don't worry! Just return it.

Did you forget to return your library book? It can happen. Our Urban Fellow Abby Utley made this short film for entertaining and explaining that MPL no longer charges fines for overdue books. Check it out!

Posted by Memphis Public Libraries on Thursday, August 24, 2023

MPL Solar Eclipse Glasses

Celebrate the upcoming solar eclipse with Memphis Public Libraries, offering free solar eclipse glasses from now until April 8th at…

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Popular Resources

Start your genealogical journey today!

ancestry logo

Have a question you need answered? Or a suggestion for the collection? Start Here!

Are you missing the ability to browse our shelves for books for your children? Use Book Bundles and we’ll pick out a bundle of books for your child!

Bookstock is the largest annual local authors festival in Memphis!  Sponsored by our wonderful Friends of the Library, Bookstock 2024 is scheduled to be on Saturday, April 6th, 2024 from 11am – 3pm at Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library. 

Search the local newspaper all the way back to 1847.

Check out our online Digital Archives and explore Memphis history through photos and more!

Dig Memphis, the Memphis Public Libraries' Digital Archive

Check out E-books and E-AudioBooks through Libby by OverDrive! You can visit the new Libby site or visit the original OverDrive site.

Illustration of Libby the OverDrive mascot for their new look!

Memphis Public Libraries lends non-traditional items, too! You can try before you buy, discover a new hobby, or borrow a device you’ll only need to use once. Kits include Camping, Karaoke, Yard Games, Outdoor Movies, and Nature Exploration.

If you are looking for help, or want to provide someone with help, just dial 2-1-1 to reach the community information and referral resources of LINC, the Library Information Center at the Memphis Public Library.

Formerly known as Lynda.com. Tons of online training courses that are all available online right in your own home!

Linkedin Learning

Our magazine collection has moved to Libby! Check out our collection of current and popular magazines.

Streaming current local music for free. Local musicians: Submit a sample for inclusion.

The New York Times digital subscription is available at home!

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More About the Library

Connect Crew

Not everyone can get to the library, so we’ve decided to come to you!

Friends of the Library

Donations, Book Sales, Second Editions, Amazon Book Store, and more.

Memphis Library Foundation

Supporting the Library through private donations and more. See how you can help today!

MPL by the Numbers

Keep up with the Library with these bimonthly reports showcasing some of the events and services we provide daily.

MPL in the News

Don’t just hear it from us. See what every one else is saying about the programs and services of the Memphis Public Libraries!