Milton H. Latter Memorial Library
🏢 New Orleans Public Library · New Orleans, Louisiana
Milton H. Latter Memorial Library
One of the most storied public libraries in the American South, the Milton H. Latter Memorial Library occupies a 1907 Beaux-Arts mansion on St. Charles Avenue, reachable by the legendary streetcar. Built for a Canal Street merchant, later home to a silent-film star and a pioneer aviator, it was donated to New Orleans in 1948 by Harry and Anna Latter as a memorial to their son Milton, killed at Okinawa in World War II.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–7pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–7pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–7pm |
| Thursday | 10am–7pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 5120 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70115
Phone: (504) 596-2625
Website: nolalibrary.org
Plus Code: 76XFWVGQ+MV (New Orleans, LA)
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📖 About Milton H. Latter Memorial Library
The Milton H. Latter Memorial Library stands at 5120 St. Charles Avenue in Uptown New Orleans, inside a stone mansion designed by Favrot and Livaudais and constructed in 1906–1907 for Canal Street merchant Marks Isaacs. After Isaacs's death in 1912, lumber baron Frank B. Williams purchased it; his son Harry Williams, a pioneer aviator, and Williams's wife, the silent-film star Marguerite Clark, made it their New Orleans home. Harry Williams died in a plane crash in 1936, and Clark sold the property to racetrack entrepreneur Robert Eddy, who in turn sold it in 1947 to Harry and Anna Latter. The Latters donated the mansion to the City of New Orleans to be used as a public library in memory of their son Milton, a soldier killed at Okinawa during World War II. The Milton H. Latter Memorial Library opened its doors on November 1, 1948. Interior adaptations for library use were kept minimal to preserve the homelike atmosphere: the mahogany paneling, grand staircase, dining-room mantel, and ceiling murals remain intact. Today the Latter Library is an NOPL neighborhood branch serving the Uptown and Garden District, accessible directly from the St. Charles streetcar. It offers Culture Pass admission to local museums, free notary services through the NOPL volunteer program, and the full suite of NOPL digital resources including Libby, hoopla, and Kanopy.
⭐ What makes this library special
- 1906–1907 Beaux-Arts stone mansion by Favrot & Livaudais — one of the finest residential buildings on St. Charles Avenue and a New Orleans architectural landmark
- Home of silent-film star Marguerite Clark and pioneer aviator Harry Williams in the 1910s–1930s before its conversion to a library
- Donated to the City of New Orleans in 1948 by Harry & Anna Latter as a WWII memorial for their son Milton, killed at Okinawa — and opened as a library November 1, 1948
- Original mahogany paneling, grand staircase, dining-room mantel & ceiling murals preserved inside the working public library
- Located directly on the St. Charles streetcar line — one of the most accessible and scenic library commutes in the country
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
NOPL cardholders at Latter and all branches can borrow, stream, and research free through these digital collections:
📚 Services
- Culture Pass — free admission to New Orleans-area museums and attractions
- Free volunteer notary service through NOPL (check nolalibrary.org/notary for schedule and appointments)
- Public computers & free Wi-Fi
- Interlibrary loan (ILL)
- Libby, hoopla & Kanopy digital borrowing
- Reference and reader's advisory assistance
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and youth programming
- Adult programs and community events
- Summer Reading Program
- NOPL Culture Pass museum access
- Homework Louisiana live online tutoring
📍 Nearby NOPL Branches in New Orleans
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in New Orleans · Browse all Louisiana libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Milton H. Latter, and why is this library named after him?
Milton Latter was the son of Harry and Anna Latter, who purchased the St. Charles Avenue mansion in 1947. Milton was killed in action at Okinawa during World War II. His parents donated the mansion to the City of New Orleans to serve as a public library in his memory. The Milton H. Latter Memorial Library opened on November 1, 1948.
What famous figures lived in this mansion before it became a library?
The 1907 stone mansion was first built for Canal Street merchant Marks Isaacs. After his death it was sold to lumber baron Frank B. Williams. His son, pioneer aviator Harry Williams, and Williams's wife — silent-film star Marguerite Clark — made it their home through the 1920s and early 1930s. After Harry Williams died in a 1936 plane crash, Clark sold it to racetrack entrepreneur Robert Eddy, who sold it to the Latters in 1947.
Are the mansion's original interior features still visible inside the library?
Yes. When the library opened in 1948, interior changes were intentionally kept minimal to preserve the home's character. The original mahogany paneling, grand staircase, dining-room mantel, and ceiling murals are all intact and visible to anyone who visits the branch today.
How do I get to the Latter Library by public transit?
The library is directly on the St. Charles streetcar line — one of the most historic streetcar routes in the United States. Alight at the St. Charles & Soniat stop, and the 1907 mansion is right on the avenue. The RTA streetcar runs daily and connects Uptown to the CBD and Canal Street.
🎨 This library lends museum passes. See how library museum passes work and find other libraries that lend passes museum passes by state.
📋 This library offers notary services. See what a library notary can do — what to bring, fees and appointments — and find other libraries with a notary notary services by state.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.