Library Closing
All Memphis Public Libraries will be closed Friday, July 4th.
Common Tasks
Support the Library
How can we better serve you?
Help us help you by answering this one simple question. Submit your answer today! Survey available throughout July.
Summer Camps 2025
Register Today!
The Memphis Public Library’s 2025 summer camps offer a dynamic array of free, STEAM-focused programs designed for teens. Participants can engage in hands-on experiences such as robotics, filmmaking, and music production, fostering creativity and skill development throughout the summer.
Explore Memphis – Color Our World
June 1 – July 31
Read during the summer to earn prizes, with grand prize drawings at the end of the summer. New this year, groups will have the opportunity to compete for a grand prize as well! Check in at your local library to learn more.
Teen Arts Festival
Submissions Open Now!
June 3 – Aug 31
This prestigious show, funded by Friends of the Library, celebrates the talent of young artists through a juried art exhibition. This provides artists ages 13-19 the opportunity to showcase their art to the Memphis/Shelby County and surrounding areas. Accepted artwork in the following forms: paintings, drawings, original prints, fiber art, ceramics, sculpture, photography, and graphic design.
Japanese Culture Club
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Jul. 12, 10:30 AM – 12 PM
Join us for MPL’s Japanese Culture Club! This monthly meeting will be dedicated to the appreciation of Japanese culture. The club will focus on immersing attendees in Japanese customs and traditions as well as popular culture in a fun and engaging environment.
Senior Health Fair
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Jul. 18 11 AM – 3 PM
This event is aimed at informing, educating, and providing health care resources and health information to seniors. It is FREE to vendors and participating seniors.
Dungeons and Dragons 101
Officer Geoffrey Redd Library
Wednesdays in June and July 1, PM – 4 PM
Want to learn how to play D&D? Join us every Wednesday in June & July in the Teen Loft as an experienced DM will lead a quest designed for beginners (though teens with all experience levels are welcome to join). Everything you need will be provided.
Kid’s Entrepreneur Fair!
Raleigh Library
Jul. 5, 1 PM – 3 PM
Are you between the ages of 8–16 and have a business or a product you’re proud of? Sign up and showcase your talents to the community!
MPL Unbound
A Publication of the Memphis Library Foundation
The second issue of MPL UNBOUND is out now! In this issue, we explore the unexpected ways the Memphis Library Foundation supports the library’s mission, how libraries serve democracy, and pay tribute to Orange Mound and its first library branch. Free print copies are available at any branch or digitally right here!
Library of Things
Brand new THINGS have been added to the catalog! Check them out today!
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.
Activate Your 901 Pass as a Library Card
Do you have a 901 Pass card and would like to use it to access the Memphis Public Libraries? Check here on how we can activate that for you!
MPL Repair Cafe
We are excited to announce that Memphis Public Library will be hosting regular Repair Days in 2025 in partnership with the international Repair Café organization! If you have special skills and would like to volunteer for this effort, let us know here! Our next Repair Day will be August 3rd.
Seed Library and Colorcopia
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
3rd Tuesdays, 1-2 PM
Join The Dixon Garden and Gallery’s Shawna White for a monthly arts class inspired by the ever changing seasons. In these nature themed arts classes, all you need to bring is your creativity for a great time while having great conversation. All supplies provided; all skill levels welcome!
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.
Gardening Programs with Booker T. Leigh
Make your garden the best yet with Memphis Public Libraries gardening programs, hosted by Booker T. Leigh, happening all over the city!
Long Live the King!-Chess Club
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Tuesdays 6 PM – 7:30 PM
Free chess tutorials for all ages. Beginners are invited to learn to play, and veterans are welcome to challenge each other to a friendly match of strategy and tactics. For this event we will meet in our main lobby behind the escalators. Long Live the King!
Keep up with Memphis Public Libraries!
Check out our Monthly Newsletter or other email options
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Library Updates
Everybody Has Rhythm : The Drum Series and Expressing Myself Through Creative Writing Series
During the month of October 2024, the North Branch Public Library has been busy. Please find for your enjoyment pictures…
Read for the Record @ Oakshire Elementary School!
An amazing time was had at Oakshire Elementary as several organizations gathered together for a great cause! Read for the…
Whitehaven News: Many Hands Make Light Work!
A big thank you to our regular teens and tweens who helped staff do a complete re-org/shift of our Graphic…
Memphis Reads: The Mars House by Natasha Pulley
Laura reviews MARS HOUSE, by Natasha Pulley, Bloomsbury Publishing, 2014, 469 pages. The science fiction novel Mars House by Natasha Pulley features…
Virtual Library
Browse all of our Virtual Library offerings here, or access some of our more popular resources.
Start your genealogical journey today!
Have a question you need answered? Or a suggestion for the collection? Start Here!
Search the local newspaper all the way back to 1847.
Check out our online Digital Archives and explore Memphis history through photos and more!
Check out E-books and E-AudioBooks through Libby by OverDrive! You can visit the new Libby site or visit the original OverDrive site.
Our magazine collection has moved to Libby! Check out our collection of current and popular magazines.
The New York Times digital subscription is available at home!
Gale Presents: Udemy is an online learning platform for adults who want to improve work-related skills or further develop a personal interest.
We now offer access to Value Line, a single, cost-effective research package covering multiple asset classes that can transform an average investor into an extremely profitable one.
Visit the Library
Browse all of our locations and special services.
Don’t have a Library Card yet? Start Here and register online.
Need to know how to log into your account or place a hold?
Use Book Bundles and we’ll pick out a bundle of books for your child!
CLOUD901 is the ultimate creative space for Memphis teens (13-18) to explore video and audio production, design, coding, and more—all for free! With cutting-edge tech, expert-led workshops, and tons of room to collaborate, it’s the perfect spot to bring your ideas to life and build skills for the future.
Not everyone can get to the library when it is open or access library resources digitally. Find out more about our Outreach services such as Connect Crew, our special programming team.
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.
Find out how to reserve meeting room space at our libraries.
