Library Closing

Cornelia Crenshaw Library closed (3/14/2024) for maintenance.

Support the Library

5 Fridays of Jazz

Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Mar. 22 6:30 PM
Five Fridays of Jazz, sponsored by the Memphis Library Foundation and in partnership with Overton Park Shell and Shell on Wheels, aims to unite jazz enthusiasts and newcomers, fostering community through music.

Memphis Music Listening Party with Joyce Cobb

Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Mar 18 7:00 PM
Join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate Joyce Cobb’s legendary 50-year career in music! Experience her soulful sounds and hear the stories behind five of her most iconic songs, in this riveting conversation!

Totality! Solar Eclipse Celebration

Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Mar 20 6:00 PM
Join us to learn all about solar eclipses and the science behind them in preparation for the next solar eclipse in April.  

Richard Wright Literary Award

Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Mar 21 5:00 PM
Memphis Public Libraries will hold the 2nd annual Richard Wright Literary Awards, celebrating and awarding local authors in various categories of fiction, nonfiction, poetry and illustration.

Gardening at the Library

Multiple Libraries & Times
Discover a gardening program to spring your Spring forward! Start Here and develop your green thumb at the library!

Compose Yourself 2.0: Digital Literacy

Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Mar 20 5:30 PM
Join us for an 8-week workshop series focusing on digital literacy and online citizenship offered by writing instructors from the University of Memphis.

Memphis Black Restaurant Week

Cossitt Library
Mar 18 – 23
We are delighted to extend an invitation to you for an extraordinary dining experience at Dos Hermanos Kitchen, where we will be participating in Memphis’ Black Restaurant Week!

Science That Pops

Randolph Library
Mar 27 3:30 PM
Come to Randolph and try to create the best bubble juice recipe; compete in challenges, and have fun. 

Chicago Stepping @ Levi

Levi Library
Mar 30 11:30 AM
 Join us on as Anthony Boone (aka-The Professor) demonstrates the Chicago Style 6 count step-by-step while getting in the groove.

Bookstock

Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Apr 6 11:00 AM
Calling all bookworms, literary enthusiasts, and fun lovers!  Mark your calendars for 2024 Bookstock  the Memphis Area Authors’ Festival, celebrating over 10 years of local talent!  Join us on Saturday, April 6th, from 11am to 3pm at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library for a fun-filled day of literary discoveries.

Tax Assistance 2-1-1

Check out all of the locations in Shelby County and surrounding areas for free tax help!

Memphis Sound Connection

Discover Memphis Sound Connection: free platform showcasing local music. Join now and explore the city’s musical diversity!

Memphis Public Libraries Newsletter

March
Check out our newsletter for what’s coming up this month!!

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.

Email Sign-up

Do you receive our monthly newsletter in your inbox? Or do you receive our book recommendations? How about hold notices? Sign up your email today!

Upcoming Events

View our full calendar of events!

Your Family, Your Library: Art Open Call
Cossitt Library
Fri., Mar. 01, 12:45 pm

Babies & Books
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 10:15 am

Read, Create, Move: Storytime at North!
North Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 10:30 am

Expressing Myself Through Creative Writing
North Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 4:00 pm

Long Live the King!-Chess Club
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 6:00 pm

Pickleball with Purpose
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 6:00 pm

Toddler Storytime
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Wed., Mar. 20, 10:15 am

Discover An Artist: Jean-Michel Basquiat
Frayser Library
Wed., Mar. 20, 3:30 pm

After School Club
Officer Geoffrey Redd Library
Wed., Mar. 20, 3:30 pm

Hollywood's March to Literacy
Hollywood Library
Wed., Mar. 20, 4:00 pm

Preschool Storytime
South Library
Wed., Mar. 20, 4:30 pm

Totality! Solar Eclipse Celebration
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Wed., Mar. 20, 6:00 pm

Story Time
Officer Geoffrey Redd Library
Thu., Mar. 21, 10:30 am

Storytime – Spring
Cordova Library
Thu., Mar. 21, 11:00 am

Whitehaven Booked Club
Whitehaven Library
Thu., Mar. 21, 3:00 pm

Richard Wright Literary Award
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Thu., Mar. 21, 5:00 pm

Sensory Storytime
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Fri., Mar. 22, 11:00 am

Hollywood's March to Literacy
Hollywood Library
Fri., Mar. 22, 4:00 pm

Eat This Book storytime
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Sat., Mar. 23, 11:00 am

Your Family, Your Library: Art Open Call
Cossitt Library
Fri., Mar. 01, 12:45 pm

March Madness Bracket Selection
Randolph Library
Mon., Mar. 18, 12:00 am

Beginning Spanish
Whitehaven Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 10:00 am

Spring Paint n Sip
Randolph Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 3:30 pm

Paper Collage Challenge
CLOUD901
Tue., Mar. 19, 3:30 pm

Expressing Myself Through Creative Writing
North Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 4:00 pm

Table Top Club
South Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 4:00 pm

Long Live the King!-Chess Club
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 6:00 pm

Pickleball with Purpose
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 6:00 pm

Teen. Arts. Grow with the Dixon: Figurative Collage
Bartlett Library
Wed., Mar. 20, 2:45 pm

Discover An Artist: Jean-Michel Basquiat
Frayser Library
Wed., Mar. 20, 3:30 pm

After School Club
Officer Geoffrey Redd Library
Wed., Mar. 20, 3:30 pm

Hollywood's March to Literacy
Hollywood Library
Wed., Mar. 20, 4:00 pm

Let's Rap About It
North Library
Wed., Mar. 20, 4:00 pm

Teen Innovation Center
Cordova Library
Wed., Mar. 20, 4:30 pm

Compose Yourself 2.0: Digital Literacy
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Wed., Mar. 20, 5:30 pm

Totality! Solar Eclipse Celebration
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Wed., Mar. 20, 6:00 pm

Teen Advisory Board
Bartlett Library
Thu., Mar. 21, 3:00 pm

Whitehaven Booked Club
Whitehaven Library
Thu., Mar. 21, 3:00 pm

Women's History Month Spotlight: Harriet Tubman
Hollywood Library
Thu., Mar. 21, 4:00 pm

Your Family, Your Library: Art Open Call
Cossitt Library
Fri., Mar. 01, 12:45 pm

March Madness Bracket Selection
Randolph Library
Mon., Mar. 18, 12:00 am

Aerobics Class at Raleigh
Raleigh Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 10:00 am

Beginning Spanish
Whitehaven Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 10:00 am

Mobile Vet Center
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 10:00 am

AARP Tax Prep
Bartlett Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 10:00 am

AARP Free Tax Preparation
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 10:00 am

Free Tax Preparation by United Way Mid-South
Raleigh Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 10:00 am

Book Club
Officer Geoffrey Redd Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 11:00 am

Gameday Tuesdays
Hollywood Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 11:00 am

Free Tax Preparation
Cherokee Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 11:00 am

United Way Free Tax Prep
Frayser Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 11:00 am

Memphis Black Restaurant Week
Cossitt Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 11:00 am

Power Hour
Levi Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 12:30 pm

Fabric Collage @ Levi
Levi Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 1:00 pm

Book Chat Book Club
Bartlett Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 1:00 pm

East Shelby Book Lovers Club
East Shelby Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 1:30 pm

Memphis Fair Housing Center: Free Legal Advice Clinic
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 3:00 pm

Let's Get Moving featuring Yoga
Cordova Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 5:30 pm

Long Live the King!-Chess Club
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Tue., Mar. 19, 6:00 pm

View our full calendar of events!

Library Videos & Posts

Bookstock 2024

We are just one month away from BOOKSTOCK 2024! The Memphis Area Authors' Festival is on April 6 at the Benjamin L Hooks Central Library. Check out this video and learn more about this year's featured authors and what is planned for this fantastic event that supports local writers. We are counting down the days until this event! #Bookstock #MPL

Posted by Memphis Public Libraries on Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Graduates get a first look at the Melrose High School building renovation

Graduates of the old Melrose High began singing the school song as they got a tour of the renovation of the property. The former school is being transformed into a library and genealogy center, and senior apartments. Phase 1 of construction should be complete in early 2024.

Posted by Memphis Public Libraries on Monday, November 27, 2023
Get ready Memphis Gardeners!

Spring is just around the corner, and MPL is ramping up its gardening programs and activities. From the Seed Library open house to programs to teach you how to test your soil to active garden clubs, MPL is your gardening source. Check out the gardening section on our website at memphislibrary.org to find upcoming activities.

Posted by Memphis Public Libraries on Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Overdue book? Don't worry! Just return it.

Did you forget to return your library book? It can happen. Our Urban Fellow Abby Utley made this short film for entertaining and explaining that MPL no longer charges fines for overdue books. Check it out!

Posted by Memphis Public Libraries on Thursday, August 24, 2023
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Popular Resources

Start your genealogical journey today!

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Have a question you need answered? Or a suggestion for the collection? Start Here!

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!

Bookstock is the largest annual local authors festival in Memphis!  Sponsored by our wonderful Friends of the Library, Bookstock 2024 is scheduled to be on Saturday, April 6th, 2024 from 11am – 3pm at Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library. 

Search the local newspaper all the way back to 1847.

Check out our online Digital Archives and explore Memphis history through photos and more!

Dig Memphis, the Memphis Public Libraries' Digital Archive

Check out E-books and E-AudioBooks through Libby by OverDrive! You can visit the new Libby site or visit the original OverDrive site.

Illustration of Libby the OverDrive mascot for their new look!

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.

Formerly known as Lynda.com. Tons of online training courses that are all available online right in your own home!

Linkedin Learning

Our magazine collection has moved to Libby! Check out our collection of current and popular magazines.

Streaming current local music for free. Local musicians: Submit a sample for inclusion.

The New York Times digital subscription is available at home!

The New York Times logo

More About the Library

Connect Crew

Not everyone can get to the library, so we’ve decided to come to you!

Friends of the Library

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!