For physical items such as books, movies, and audio CDs you can log into library account to place holds, renew items, and see what fines you might have. You can now apply online for a library card.
Libby has E-Books, E-Audio, and E-Magazine and is accessible via the Libby app or on updated Internet Browsers. Visit our Libby FAQ page for more details.
2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service Recipient
Virtual award ceremony
Join IMLS Director Crosby Kemper on August 24, 2021 at 3pm, for a one-hour virtual ceremony honoring the six recipients of the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The National Medal for Museum and Library Service is the nation’s highest honor given to libraries and museums that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities.
Memphis Public Libraries is one of six recipients of the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor given to libraries and museums that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities, making us the first-ever two-time recipient (2007 and 2021).
Library staff from across the system celebrate with the National Medal for Museum & Library Service!
WYPL Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Director McCloy and Whitehaven Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Director McCloy and Whitehaven Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Support Services Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Support Services Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Director McCloy and South Branch Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Director McCloy and South Branch Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Second Editions Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Second Editions Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Central Business Sciences Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Central Business Sciences Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Raleigh Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Raleigh Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Director McCloy and Parkway Village Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Director McCloy and Parkway Village Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Deputy Director Marszalek and Parkway Village Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Deputy Director Marszalek and Parkway Village Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
North Branch Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
North Branch Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Director McCloy and Maintenance Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Director McCloy and Maintenance Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
LINC/2-1-1 Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
LINC/2-1-1 Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Director McCloy and Levi Branch Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Director McCloy and Levi Branch Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Central Humanities Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Central Humanities Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Human Resources Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Human Resources Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Hollywood Branch Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Hollywood Branch Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Central History Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Central History Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Director McCloy and Gaston Park Branch Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Director McCloy and Gaston Park Branch Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Frayser Branch Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Frayser Branch Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Memphis Library Foundation Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Memphis Library Foundation Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Director McCloy and East Shelby Branch Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Director McCloy and East Shelby Branch Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Director McCloy and Cornelia Crenshaw Branch Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Director McCloy and Cornelia Crenshaw Branch Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Cossitt Branch Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Cossitt Branch Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Cordova Branch Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Cordova Branch Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Connect Crew Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Connect Crew Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
CLOUD901 and JobLINC Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
CLOUD901 and JobLINC Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Deputy Director Marszalek and Cherokee Branch Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Deputy Director Marszalek and Cherokee Branch Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Central Circulation, Staff Development, Maintenance, and Human Resources with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Central Circulation, Staff Development, Maintenance, and Human Resources with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Central Children’s Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Central Children’s Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Bartlett Branch Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Bartlett Branch Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Administrative Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Administrative Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Administrative Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
Administrative Staff with the The 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service
The Institute of Museum and Library Services has named Memphis Public Libraries as one of 30 finalists for the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. We are honored to represent Memphis and Tennessee as this is the nation’s highest honor bestowed upon libraries and museums. The winners of the award will be announced in early May. Through March and April we’ll be sharing our story, and we need YOU to share your story, too!
How do I share my story?
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is encouraging anyone whose life has been touched by one of the finalist libraries to share their memories and pictures on Facebook and Twitter by using the hashtag #IMLSMedals and #ShareyourMPLstory. Please tag us too!
Here are some of our stories. We wouldn’t be a finalist without you and our many partners throughout the community.
LINC/2-1-1 Met the challenge
Whether it’s Hurricane Elvis or the Coronavirus, LINC/2-1-1 has answered the call through thick and thin since 1975. From April through August, 2020, LINC/2-1-1 fielded 25% more calls than usual with other librarians being called in to help meet the demand.
With libraries opened limited hours, librarians served as contact tracers early in the pandemic. Fifty librarians worked with the Shelby County Health Department to follow up on positive cases and help track down recent contacts.
wypl covid press briefings
The Library Channel/WYPL, the Libraries TV and radio station, were called upon to produce the daily/weekly COVID Task Force press briefings. The conferences streamed on Facebook Live and aired on the TV and Radio station.
Beginning March 20, 2020, we began assisting MIFA to support the Meals on Wheels program as they had to discontinue volunteer operations. Over 60 library staff stepped up to deliver meals, providing over 2,800 hours of support.
SCS/YMCA Food distribution
Several library locations served as pick-up points for Shelby County Schools and YMCA food distribution. Library staff assisted with the processing and handing out of meals and instructional material to children.
computer access
Memphis Public Libraries closed their doors on March 18, but re-opened May 4th with limited capacity, providing critical access to public computers. We have had over 134,000 computer sessions from May through February.
access to our collections
Opening on May 4 provided access to our collections as over 450,000 physical items checked out between May and February. We also expanded our services to include Curbside Pickup. In addition, customers can submit Children’s Book Bundles and our children’s librarians will hand-pick a bundle of books based on your input.
e-books and e-audiobooks
After the Safer at Home order went into effect, the library increased OverDrive eBook/eAudio collection size by adding nearly 12,000 titles initially. We have since added nearly 20,000 copies. The number of checkouts increased 32% over the same time period the year prior. The number of checkouts for Children’s material increased 252%.
“I appreciate your work supporting the digital collection, and it is especially helpful in the current crisis…being able to access a steady diet of both information and entertainment is helping to keep me together.” – eBook customer
reading challenges
With the initial Safer at Home order, we launched our first online reading challenge with prizes given to top participants. Over 992,000 reading minutes were logged by the 1,771 participants, 70% of which were youth.
virtual programs
We’ve gathered online for book clubs, story times, concerts, classes on cooking, painting, gardening, writing, and so much more. Over 10,500 people have attended our virtual programs, youth consisting of 68% of attendees.
“These programs are vital for keeping us connected, learning new skills, and just having fun!” – Ukulele concert attendee