MPL in the News

Action News 5 – March 19, 2025 – “The next time you check out a book at your local library, you may want to thank a group of LeMoyne and Owen college students who paved the way to make that happen for everyone.

Thursday April 19th marks 65 years since the Cossitt Library sit-in that led to integration of the Memphis Public Library system.

In the 1960s Memphis was not open for business to everyone.

In fact, public, tax-supported places were off-limits to Black people.”

ABC 24 Memphis – March 31, 2025 – At the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, ink was flowing for a good cause. Tattoo artists had set up shops in an unexpected location, offering permanent souvenirs to support local literacy programs. They’ve paired up with local tattoo artists to help in their efforts to fund programming and literacy at all Memphis public libraries.

ABC 24 Memphis – January 27, 2025 – “In planning the rebirth of the old Melrose High School building as the new Orange Mound Library, all those involved agreed that honoring the important legacy of Orange Mound and families who have called the historic core home for generations had to be at center of the vision.

“The community and city leaders came together to save this building and turn it into an institution that could serve the community,” Skyler Gambert, a librarian at Orange Mound Library, said.”

Memphis Magazine, October 2024 – “Kelis Rowe and her sister, Adriane Johnson-Williams, grew up in Whitehaven, walking distance from the Levi Public Library. When they weren’t in school or at church, they were in the library reading and dreaming. Recently, they both became published authors. “Librarians are demigods, my sister and I both agree on that,” Adriane says.”

News Channel 3 – September 13, 2024 “A Memphis Public Library program lets kids cuddle up with a therapy dog while reading their favorite book and for many kids, it’s their only one-on-one reading time.

Lovie is an 8-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Nobody gets too far in the Benjamin Hooks Central Library without a little love from Lovie.

“When we come in the library everyone goes, ‘Hey Lovie,’” said her mom, Juana McCoy.”

Choose901 – June 5, 2024

Meet Chef Eli, the culinary genius behind Dos Hermanos Kitchen. The idea of a taco truck named Dos Hermanos sparked a journey that would eventually lead Chef Eli to the historic Cossitt Library in downtown Memphis. Dos Hermanos is Chef Eli’s culinary dream come to life. For the city of Memphis, Chef Eli envisions Dos Hermanos as a multi-dimensional culinary hub that reflects the city’s diverse culture and rich soul, bringing together people from all walks of life to enjoy unique and delicious meals.

More than 40 years ago, the Historic Melrose School in Orange Mound shut its doors. After sitting boarded up and empty for decades, the Orange Mound Library and Genealogy Center is now open to the public! Hundreds of people from the community turned out for the grand opening! The new branch is open Monday – Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm. Eventually, the upper floors will also be senior apartments. The Grand Opening Celebration was held Friday April 26, 2024.

Check out all the news coverage of this event:

• ABC 24 “Melrose High graduates reflect on their years at the school as building reopens as Orange Mound Library”
• Action News 5 “A new chapter—Old Melrose High School building reopens as first-ever Orange Mound library after 4 decades”
• Daily Memphian “Orange Mound Library breathes new life into old Melrose High building”
• Fox 13 “Orange Mound celebrates opening of community’s first library at old Melrose High building”
• WREG News Channel 3 “Historic Melrose High School turned into new library”

Library Journal, March 19, 2024 – “Libraries are incorporating collaboration, creativity, and a steadfast commitment to create accessible and inclusive spaces – Libraries have been leaders in accessibility for hundreds of years, producing print materials for the blind in the 1800s, pushing back against so-called “ugly laws” intended to keep people with disabilities out of community spaces in the 1900s, incorporating adaptive technology in the 1920s, and developing and promoting standards for equal access in the 1960s. Recognizing that accessibility is something that happens with and for the people served is part of what it means to create and maintain inclusive service.”

Daily Memphian, February 29, 2024 – “Jazz concert series are returning in March to two Memphis institutions. Crosstown Arts will present its second annual Jazz Month, and Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library will again host 5 Fridays of Jazz. Both event series begin with concerts on Friday, March 1. The sold-out album release show for jazz musician, music educator and Memphis Jazz Workshop founder Stephen Lee is at the Green Room. Longtime jazz singer, music educator and radio host Joyce Cobb featuring the Memphis Jazz Workshop is at the Central Library. The Memphis Black Arts Alliance is the latter show’s presenter.”