Common Tasks
Support the Library
Teen Arts Fest
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Enter your art today! 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.
Fantasy Faire
Cordova Library
September 21 11:00 AM
Join us for a celebration of all things fantasy at the Cordova Library, featuring a special fantasy-themed Storytime, local artists and vendors, demonstrations by Memphis Armored Fight Club, a costume contest, crafts, games, and more! At 1pm, watch a live virtual Q&A with New York Times-bestselling author, Naomi Novik.
Life After High School: College 101
Whitehaven Library
September 25 5:00 PM
Are you a High School junior or senior? Are you confused about what you need to do to apply for college? Join us at the library to break down the college application process. Learn tips and strategies to successfully navigate the admissions process so that you are prepared for Life After High School.
Black Child Book Fair
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
September 28 11:00 AM
“Books for Black children are hard to find” is a common statement in our society. Scholars suggest Black children need to see faces that look like theirs and stories about people who look like them written by people who look like them. The Black Child Book Fair provides that opportunity for children.
Baptist Mobile Mammography Unit (Frayser Health Check Day)
Frayser Library
October 7 9:00 AM
Join us for a special visit from the Baptist Mobile Mammography Unit, bringing convenient mammography screenings to your area! Early detection through annual screenings is the best defense against breast cancer. Don’t miss this opportunity to prioritize your health!
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.
Upcoming Events
View our full calendar of events!
Tue., Sep. 17, 10:30 am
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Tue., Sep. 17, 3:00 pm
Library Videos & Posts
Learning does not have to be dull! At Memphis Public Libraries, Continuing Education & Lifelong Learning classes range from sign language to calligraphy to public speaking! Here's a sneak peek at what you can expect in a CELL class! 👩🎓🧑🎓 #CELL #Memphis #MemphisPublicLibraries #StartHere
Posted by Memphis Public Libraries on Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Bookstock 2024We 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
Are you ready to Explore Memphis? The adventure begins at Memphis Public Libraries on June 1. So grab a map from your local branch 🗺️ Check out some books 📚 Get ready to have fun ✅ Hopefully, win prizes 🏆
Posted by Memphis Public Libraries on Thursday, May 2, 2024
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
“CHEF ELI OF DOS HERMANOS KITCHEN: MEMPHIAN ON THE MOVE AT THE COSSITT LIBRARY”
Choose901 – June 5, 2024 Meet Chef Eli, the culinary genius behind Dos Hermanos Kitchen. The idea of a taco…
Orange Mound Library Grand Opening
More than 40 years ago, the Historic Melrose School in Orange Mound shut its doors. After sitting boarded up and…
BookStock 2024 was a Huge Success
Check out all the fun that was had at this year’s BookStock Festival. Thank you to the Friends of the…
Richard Wright Literary Awards
Here are the winners for the Annual Richard Wright Literary Awards held at Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library! We’d like…
Popular Resources
Start your genealogical journey today!
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!
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.
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!
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!
