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.
Reading Buddies
September and October
Students in grades k-3 who are needing assistance with reading can join and learn with the assistance of a reading buddy. Reading buddies will assist students will word identification through fun interactive activities. Students will also have an opportunity to read to their buddy as well. Registration is required.
National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15 – October 15
We celebrate the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. Check out upcoming events, books and e-books, and other online resources.
MPL Local Author Awards
Nominate Today
Memphis Public Libraries will hold the first MPL Local Author Awards during February 2023 celebrating and awarding local authors. If you would like to submit a nomination for your or someone elseâs work in the various categories, please do so by November 15.
Wand Workshop
Poplar-White Station Library – September 28 – 4:00 PM
Build your own custom wand with its own special powers. All materials will be provided just bring your imagination!
Cordova’s ACT Intensive
Cordova Library – October 10 – 18 – 1:00 PM
This ACT workshop will be at the Cordova Library during Fall break. The instructors will cover Math, Science, Reading, English and test taking skills.
Registration is required.
Saturday at The Movies: The Book of Life
Frayser Library – October 15 – 2:00 PM
To close out National Hispanic Heritage Month, join us for the movie “The Book of Life.”
Oktoberfest Personal Finance
Virtual Program – October 17 – 20 – 5:00 PM
Are you interested in budgeting, paying off debt, starting a savings plan, establishing or rebuilding your credit, but don’t know where to start? This is the workshop for you. Registration is required.
Meet the Candidates for November 8 Election
The objective of this Meet the Candidates page is to provide links to official campaign websites that hold details about the candidate (donation only sites not posted) and campaign Facebook pages so that voters can begin to research their options.
Library Videos & Posts
Have you ever heard of art made with paper towels? Yes, it can be done! Come to the Goodwyn Gallery at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library to see it for yourself. “Hope on Canvas” runs until the end of this month.
Posted by Memphis Public Libraries on Saturday, September 17, 2022
September is Library Card Sign-Up Month. Check out the limited edition Memphis Grizzlies library cards now available!
Posted by Memphis Public Libraries on Monday, September 12, 2022
A Beary Exciting Storytime & Craft with Ms. Dawnđ»Ms. Dawn kicks off our Friday with a beary funny storytime and craftđ»â #StartHere #MemLibrary
Posted by Memphis Public Libraries on Friday, May 22, 2020
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, writersâ corner, writersâ workshop, guest speaker presentations, and professional reading events. Register now to join us.
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: MY SISTER, THE SERIAL KILLER by OYINKAN BRAITHWAITE (9/4/2022) - Nathan reviews My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite, Doubleday Books, 2018, 226 pages My Sister, the Serial Killer… ...Read More
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 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.