February 3: All Memphis Public Libraries will close today at 3:00 PM due to inclement weather.
All Memphis Public Libraries will be closed Monday July 4th.
Support the Library
Explore Memphis 2022
June 1 – July 31
Join us for Explore Memphis 2022 where an Ocean of Possibilities await. We have a Reading Challenge where you can log your minutes and become eligible for prize drawings. We have events for all ages, as well as Summer Camps.
New Camp! SIM Food Science 4 Kids
July 5-8 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Raleigh Library
Join Ali Manning, local food scientist and author of children’s book Can I Play With my Food? for a four-day hands-on kitchen STEM experience. Camp will take place in the upstairs Kitchen Space at the Raleigh Library where campers will learn about the science of cooking, food sustainability, chemistry, and more! Camp is for tweens ages 9-12. Space is limited – register today!
Explore Memphest
July 9 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Hollywood Community Center
Come out and celebrate everything Memphis. There will be food, fun, live music and more!
Jookin’ Memphis Style Dance Lesson
June 30 2:30 – 3:30 PM
North Library
Are you a Jookin’ fan? Or, have you ever wondered how to jook? Well you’ve come to the right place! New Ballet of Memphis will host a jookin’ session for all who are interested in learning this popular Memphis created dance. Space is limited to 15 attendees. Please register online.
Teen Cooking
June 30 3:00 PM
Raleigh Library
Cooking is a vital skill to have in life. Confidence in cooking ability led to fewer fast-food meals, more meals as a family, and frequent preparation of meals with vegetables in adulthood.
Children’s MakerSpace Project – Uncharted
July 7 – 2:00 PM
Frayser Library
In this summer MakerSpace program, children ages 6-11 take on a project that explores either science, technology, engineering, art, or math through our Explore Memphis Oceans of Possibilities theme.
Senior Health Fair
Presented by Friends of the Library
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library – July 22 – 11:00 AM
This in-person event is aimed at informing, educating, and connecting local seniors to 60+ community vendors with a myriad of health care resources, wellness information, free health screenings, and free Covid-19 vaccines. In addition, there will be educational seminars, food trucks, entertainment, exercises, giveaways, door prizes and much more!
Meet the Candidates
August 4, 2022
Begin researching the candidates for the August 4th election which includes the Shelby County general election as well as primaries for Federal and State offices.
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.
tax assistance information
Visit LINC/2-1-1’s Tax Information page for the latest information on free tax assistance throughout the community.
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?
Everyone-on
Need assistance with finding low-cost internet offers? JobLINC is partnering with the Public Library Association and Microsoft Corporation to identify existing and new tools to help job seekers gain skills for the jobs of the future, including the EveryoneOn project.
cordova writing club
Cordova Library – Mondays – 3:00 PM
Meet other writers; share your work and get feedback if you want it. Meetings will be every Monday! Join any time. FREE SNACKS to keep you awake and focused!
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: 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 More
MEMPHIS READS: RISING TIDE by JOHN BARRY (5/3/2022) - Marilyn reviews RISING TIDE by John Barry, Simon & Schuster, 1997, 525 pages. This was an excellent read… ...Read More
MEMPHIS READS: HOW TO BE A WOMAN by Caitlin Moran (4/13/2022) - Nathan reviews HOW TO BE A WOMAN by Caitlin Moran, Harper Perennial, 2011, 305 pages I will admit, I received puzzled… ...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 NEWSBANK
Coverage from 1894 to Today.
Expanded access until the end of the year! Library card is required to access. Sign up for a card online!
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.