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!

Through the Lens: Exploring Photography with Grind City Meet

Cossitt Library
Multiple Dates 6:00 PM
Meet up with photographer all around the city while exploring the fundamentals and intermediate techniques of photography! 

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! 

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

May
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!

Hunt through History
Hollywood Library
Wed., May. 08, 3:00 pm

After School Club
Officer Geoffrey Redd Library
Wed., May. 08, 3:30 pm

DIY Sugar Scrub
Bartlett Library
Wed., May. 08, 4:30 pm

Story Time
Officer Geoffrey Redd Library
Thu., May. 09, 10:30 am

Storytime
Cordova Library
Thu., May. 09, 11:00 am

Whitehaven Booked Club
Whitehaven Library
Thu., May. 09, 3:00 pm

Beginner Yoga Class
Randolph Library
Sat., May. 11, 10:30 am

Japanese Culture Club
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Sat., May. 11, 10:30 am

Family Fun – I Love My Mom!
Cordova Library
Sat., May. 11, 11:00 am

Family Storytime – Mother's Day
South Library
Sat., May. 11, 11:00 am

Mother's Day Karaoke
Parkway Village Library
Sat., May. 11, 11:00 am

South Book Sale
South Library
Sat., May. 11, 11:00 am

Crafternoons at Cossitt
Cossitt Library
Sat., May. 11, 12:00 pm

Hollywood Community Resource Fair
Hollywood Library
Sat., May. 11, 12:00 pm

Levi Library's 5th Annual Community Fest
Levi Library
Sat., May. 11, 12:00 pm

Lego Club
Randolph Library
Sat., May. 11, 3:00 pm

Pre-School Storytime
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Mon., May. 13, 10:15 am

Toddler Storytime
Randolph Library
Mon., May. 13, 10:30 am

Read To The Dog!
Raleigh Library
Mon., May. 13, 3:30 pm

Hunt through History
Hollywood Library
Wed., May. 08, 3:00 pm

After School Club
Officer Geoffrey Redd Library
Wed., May. 08, 3:30 pm

DIY Sugar Scrub
Bartlett Library
Wed., May. 08, 4:30 pm

Teen Innovation Center
Cordova Library
Wed., May. 08, 4:30 pm

Getting Started with Microsoft Word 365
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Thu., May. 09, 10:30 am

Whitehaven Booked Club
Whitehaven Library
Thu., May. 09, 3:00 pm

Lit at the Library: Living Poets Society
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Thu., May. 09, 6:00 pm

Manga in Libraries Research Study
Whitehaven Library
Fri., May. 10, 4:00 pm

Teens Turn Up Fridays
Hollywood Library
Fri., May. 10, 4:30 pm

Beginner Yoga Class
Randolph Library
Sat., May. 11, 10:30 am

Japanese Culture Club
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Sat., May. 11, 10:30 am

Mother's Day Karaoke
Parkway Village Library
Sat., May. 11, 11:00 am

South Book Sale
South Library
Sat., May. 11, 11:00 am

Hollywood Community Resource Fair
Hollywood Library
Sat., May. 11, 12:00 pm

Levi Library's 5th Annual Community Fest
Levi Library
Sat., May. 11, 12:00 pm

Manga Research Study for Teens
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Sat., May. 11, 1:00 pm

Electronics and Electricity Seminar
Whitehaven Library
Mon., May. 13, 10:00 am

Summer Cooking Class with UTHSC Health Hub
Whitehaven Library
Mon., May. 13, 12:30 pm

Cordova Writing Club
Cordova Library
Mon., May. 13, 3:00 pm

Beginning Spanish
Whitehaven Library
Tue., May. 14, 10:00 am

CSA Pop-Up Event
Levi Library
Wed., May. 08, 11:00 am

Power Hour
Levi Library
Wed., May. 08, 12:30 pm

Learn to Speak English
Cordova Library
Wed., May. 08, 4:00 pm

What Are You Cooking?
Cordova Library
Wed., May. 08, 4:00 pm

DIY Sugar Scrub
Bartlett Library
Wed., May. 08, 4:30 pm

Do you want to become a U. S. Citizen?
Cordova Library
Wed., May. 08, 5:00 pm

Aerobics Class at Raleigh
Raleigh Library
Thu., May. 09, 10:00 am

Cricut for Beginners
Levi Library
Thu., May. 09, 10:30 am

Getting Started with Microsoft Word 365
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Thu., May. 09, 10:30 am

Creative Aging Studio Course: Exploring Black American Poetry
Whitehaven Library
Thu., May. 09, 11:00 am

Easy Step by Step Adult Computer Class
Hollywood Library
Thu., May. 09, 11:00 am

Power Hour
Levi Library
Thu., May. 09, 12:30 pm

Gardening Q&A @ Levi
Levi Library
Thu., May. 09, 1:30 pm

English Coffee and Conversations
Cordova Library
Thu., May. 09, 4:30 pm

Beginning Spanish
Whitehaven Library
Thu., May. 09, 5:30 pm

Adult Trivia
Bartlett Library
Thu., May. 09, 6:00 pm

Lit at the Library: Living Poets Society
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Thu., May. 09, 6:00 pm

Long Exposure Photography
Cossitt Library
Thu., May. 09, 6:00 pm

MALS Domestic Violence Clinic
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Fri., May. 10, 10:00 am

Copy of Designing with Canva.com
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Fri., May. 10, 10:30 am

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

Are you ready to Explore Memphis? The adventure begins at Memphis Public Libraries on June 1. So grab a map from your local branch 🗺️ Check out some books 📚 Get ready to have fun ✅ Hopefully, win prizes 🏆

Posted by Memphis Public Libraries on Thursday, May 2, 2024
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!

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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!

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!