Fargo Public Library
🏢 Fargo Public Library · Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo Public Library
Fargo Public Library has served North Dakota's largest city since 1900 — now operating from a modern downtown main branch opened in 2009, alongside two neighborhood branches in south and north Fargo. With more than 165,000 physical items and a robust digital collection, it is the busiest public library system in the state.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Friday | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 101 N 3RD STREET, FARGO, ND 58102
Phone: +1-701-241-1472
Website: fargond.gov
Plus Code: 86R5V6G8+WG (FARGO, ND)
📱 Scan for directions
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Fargo Public Library
Founded in 1900, Fargo Public Library has grown into a three-branch system anchoring the cultural life of the Red River Valley. The current downtown main building at 101 N 3rd Street opened in 2009, replacing an earlier structure that had served the city since 1968. The system's two branch libraries — the Dr. James Carlson Library (opened 2007 on 32nd Avenue South) and the Northport Library (opened 2006 on North Broadway) — extend service across Fargo's growing neighborhoods. In 2014 alone, patrons checked out over one million items, with digital media making up more than a third of all circulation. The library celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2025, marking more than a century of free public access to books, technology, and community programming for residents of Fargo and the broader Cass County area.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded 1900 — one of North Dakota's oldest and largest public library systems
- Three locations: Main (downtown), Dr. James Carlson (south Fargo), and Northport (north Fargo)
- Collection of 165,000+ books, DVDs, and other physical materials plus digital resources
- Over 1 million items checked out annually, with digital media comprising more than a third of circulation
- Meeting rooms, outreach/homebound delivery, and community programming for all ages
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Your free Fargo library card unlocks digital borrowing and North Dakota's statewide online resources:
📚 Services
- Free public Wi-Fi at all three locations
- Public access computers
- Printing, copying, and scanning
- Meeting rooms for community groups
- Interlibrary loan (ILL)
- Outreach and homebound delivery service
- Classroom collection for educators
🎸 Programs
- Story time for toddlers and preschoolers
- Summer Reading Program for kids, teens, and adults
- Technology and computer classes for adults
- Monday Night Magic adult programming series
- Teen programs and events
📍 Nearby Libraries in the Red River Valley
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in FARGO · Browse all North Dakota libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Fargo Public Library's main branch have a different address than the IMLS listing?
Yes — the current main library is located at 101 N 3rd Street (not 102 N 3rd Street as some older records show). The building opened in 2009 and replaced an earlier structure on the same downtown block. The phone number 701-241-1472 reaches the main branch.
What are the hours at the Dr. James Carlson branch in south Fargo?
The Dr. James Carlson Library at 2801 32nd Avenue South keeps the same Monday–Thursday 10am–8pm and Friday 11am–6pm hours as the main branch, plus Saturday 9am–6pm. It is closed on Sunday.
Can I return books from one Fargo branch at another location?
Yes — all three Fargo Public Library locations share a single catalog and card system. Items borrowed at any branch can be returned to any of the three locations, and holds can be placed online for pickup at your preferred branch.
Does Fargo Public Library offer services for homebound residents?
Yes. The Outreach Services program delivers library materials to Fargo residents who are homebound due to age, illness, or disability. Contact the library at 701-241-1472 to learn more about eligibility and scheduling a delivery.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
📅 This library has meeting & community rooms. See how library meeting rooms work — booking, policies and fees — and find other libraries with meeting or community rooms meeting rooms by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
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