February 3: All Memphis Public Libraries will close today at 3:00 PM due to inclement weather.
Support the Library
Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning
September and October
Memphis Public Libraries is providing continuing education and lifelong learning classes designed to give people an opportunity to grow in their professional and personal lives by offering 4 intense weeks of study in various subject areas such as culinary arts, hairstyling, languages, printing, visual arts, and more.
Healthy Choices, Healthy Lifestyle: UT Cooking Class
Cordova Library or Poplar-White Station Library
Join University of Tennessee Extension Representative, Janice Dunlap, for a 6- week series of nutrition classes for adults 18 and up. Each week we will learn ways to grocery shop smarter, cook better, and eat healthier. Every week will be full of information and door prizes are awarded just for attending. Join us for series of classes you will actually learn from!
Vision Board Collage
Randolph Library – August 18 – 4:00 PM
Create your own vision board of what you want your next school year to be. We will be collaging images and text from magazines and using craft supplies to make the vision board. This will be a fun and relaxing space to create for teens!
Memphis Music Listening Party with Jim Spake
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library – August 23 – 6:30 PM
Come join us as we revive the Memphis Music Listening Party with Robert Gordon! This month, we have the legendary saxophone player Jim Spake.
Pride Kickoff
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library – September 2nd & 3rd
The Pride Kickoff is a two part event that takes place on Friday, Sept. 2 from 6-8 and Saturday, Sept. 3 from 11-2. Click here for more information on how to show your pride with us!
6th Annual Pirates Raid!
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library – September 18 – 1:00 PM
Celebrate International Talk Like A Pirate Day with this swashbuckling family event full of pirates, mermaids, treasures, and more.
Library Videos & Posts
Robotics Camp is underway at the Benjamin L Hooks Central Library. These campers appear to be having a great time!
Posted by Memphis Public Libraries on Tuesday, July 26, 2022
Ahoy Mateys! We’ve heard a rumor pirates are going to invade the Benjamin L Hooks Central Library September 18th. Mark your calendar and join us for the Pirates Raid!
Posted by Memphis Public Libraries on Monday, August 8, 2022
Interested in learning about African- American Blacksmiths, including those from Memphis? MPL and the National Ornamental Metal Museum have partnered for a special program this weekend. The event is 8/6 at the Whitehaven Library. If you can’t make it, there is an exhibit at the museum until September 11th.
Posted by Memphis Public Libraries on Monday, August 1, 2022
Located in the Benjamin L Hooks Central Library, the Second Editions Bookstore is run by volunteers and proceeds to help fund library programs. The store has been nominated for “Best Bookstore” in the Memphis Flyer Best of Memphis contest. Please click on this link and vote if you know how great this store is! https://bom22.memphisflyer.com/goods/best-bookstore If you need more convincing on why it is the best bookstore, Bookstore Manager Antonio Quinn is here to explain!
Posted by Memphis Public Libraries on Friday, July 29, 2022
more ongoing events and services
SECOND EDITIONS BOOKSTORE
Second Editions is the place to find gently used books for sale at great bargain prices. Second Editions is located adjacent to the main lobby of the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Avenue.
DIG MEMPHIS MYSTERIES
We need your help! Explore images from our digital archive that are missing important details.
See if you can help us fill in some of the gaps.
write in club
Virtual Program – Thursdays – 6:00 PM
Do you love to write? Do you have a novel or similar work gathering dust that needs finishing? Most importantly –do you need the motivation and community of having other writers beside you writing without the distraction of noise and chatter?
Carnegie Writers’ Group
Virtual – APR 27, MAY 25, JUN 22, JUL 27, AUG 24, SEP 28, OCT 26, DEC 7 – 6:00 PM
The Carnegie Writers’ Group (CWG) is a community-based writing group for diverse individuals and genres. The meetings include power writing, writers’ corner, writers’ workshop, guest speaker presentations, and professional reading events. Register now to join us.
happy hour storytime
Virtual – Thursday nights – 7:00 PM
Join Juana and her trained therapy dog, Lovie, for a relaxing, fun evening story time for the whole family. We play games, sing songs, and learn about the world through award-winning children’s books from our Overdrive Kids collection.
Teen Art Squad Online
Join us virtually Wednesdays from 4:30PM to 5:30PM.
Do you like drawing and are looking to brush up on your skills? Or, maybe, you’re new and wish to start learning? Please, join us virtually for our Teen Arts Squad art classes. Learn to draw in structured but fun lessons that aim to improve your understanding of anatomy, perspective, and even character design! No experience needed. Just bring some paper and a pencil!
memphis reads: staff reviews
MEMPHIS READS: MAID by STEPHANIE LAND (8/5/2022) - Andrea reviews MAID: HARD WORK, LOW PAY, AND A MOTHER'S WILL TO SURVIVE by Stephanie Land, Hachette Books, 2019, 978-0-316-50511-6, 270… ...Read More
MEMPHIS READS: BIRD BOX by JOSH MALERMAN (7/22/2022) - Nathan reviews Bird Box by Josh Malerman, HarperCollins, 2014, 262 pages Have you ever read a book you just had… ...Read More
MEMPHIS READS: FUZZ: WHEN NATURE BREAKS THE LAW by MARY ROACH (6/24/2022) - Nathan reviews Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by Mary Roach, W.W. Norton & Company, 2021, 308 pages Legumes and… ...Read More
MEMPHIS READS: BAR FLOWER by LEA JACOBSON (6/22/2022) - Andrea reviews BAR FLOWER by Lea Jacobson., St. Martin’s Press, 2008, 978-0-312-36897-5, 340 pages I am going to be honest… ...Read MoreLearn with the Library
COMMUNITY INFORMATION & REFERRAL LINC/2-1-1
Connect with LINC/2-1-1 or search the Tennessee 2-1-1 Database directly.
JOB & CAREER SERVICES
Search for jobs, improve your skills, prepare for interviews. Video tutorials, practice tests, and more.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Find eBooks, eMagazines, online reference and databases, and the home of our Virtual Health Information Center.
HISTORY & GENEALOGY
Check out our local history, genealogy, U.S. / World History and Social Sciences.
We have an extensive digital archive called Dig Memphis. You can also check out our Memphis/Shelby County Room and Old Maps Collection.
seniors
A collection of library services that our seniors love, including links to Libby, Book Clubs, Local History, LINC/2-1-1, and Volunteering.
STUDENT RESOURCES
Resources for Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle, and High School students. Several of our resources are available online!
MORE TOPICS
Browse all of our topics including Cooking & Food, Health & Wellness, Language Learning, Personal Finance, and much more.
Browse our Collection
START HERE LIBRARY CARD
Sign up for a library card online. You can also renew your card or retrieve your PIN information.
BOOKS & MORE
Catalog Tips and Tricks, Reading Suggestions, Author Interviews, Book Clubs, and more!
E-COLLECTION
Download Books, Audiobooks, and Magazines! View instructions on using our resources and request support.
DATABASES A TO Z
Alphabetical list of all online research databases.
About The Library
LIBRARY LOCATIONS, PHONE, HOURS
Branch details, contact information, Facebook links, and more.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
Join our Friends of the Library! Information on Book 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!
POPULAR RESOURCES
BOOK BUNDLES
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!
COMMERCIAL APPEAL (1847-Present)
Search the local newspaper all the way back to 1847.
DIG MEMPHIS
Check out our online Digital Archives and explore Memphis history through photos and more!
LINKEDIN LEARNING
Formerly known as Lynda.com. Tons of online training courses that are all available online right in your own home! Library card is required! Sign up for a card online today!
MEMPHIS SOUND CONNECTION
Streaming current local music for free. Local musicians: Submit a sample for inclusion.
Libby by OverDrive
Check out E-books and E-AudioBooks through Libby by OverDrive! You can visit the new Libby site or visit the original OverDrive site.
MAGAZINES @ libby
Our magazine collection has moved to Libby! Check out our collection of current and popular magazines.