Bay St. Louis — Hancock County Library
🏢 Hancock County Library System · Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
Bay St. Louis — Hancock County Library
The Bay St. Louis branch of the Hancock County Library System anchors the Gulf Coast county seat where Hurricane Katrina made landfall in 2005 — the library reopened just six weeks after the storm and has served as a resilient community resource ever since.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–5pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–7pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–7pm |
| Thursday | 9am–5pm |
| Friday | 9am–4pm |
| Saturday | 9am–4pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 312 HIGHWAY 90, BAY ST. LOUIS, MS 39520
Phone: +1228-467-5282
Website: hcls.info
Plus Code: 862G8M96+H3 (BAY ST. LOUIS, MS)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Bay St. Louis — Hancock County Library
The Hancock County Library System (HCLS) serves Hancock County, Mississippi from its main branch at 312 Highway 90 in Bay St. Louis, the county seat. Bay St. Louis has French colonial roots stretching back centuries, and the Gulf Coast community bore the full force of Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005, when a 28-foot storm surge devastated the area. Remarkably, the library reopened to the public on October 12, 2005 — just six weeks later — becoming a vital gathering point during the community's recovery. Today HCLS operates a makerspace with technology access, genealogy resources, room reservations, and a wide range of digital and physical collections. The library's foundation supports a used bookstore that helps fund community programs, and evening hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays make it accessible for working patrons.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Reopened just six weeks after Hurricane Katrina's catastrophic 28-foot storm surge in 2005
- Makerspace with technology access including tape conversions and document services
- Genealogy resources and digital archives for Gulf Coast family research
- Extended Tuesday and Wednesday hours until 7 pm for working patrons
- Library foundation operates a used bookstore supporting community programs
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Your free Hancock County library card unlocks Mississippi's statewide MAGNOLIA digital resource network:
📚 Services
- Free public library card for Hancock County residents
- Physical book, DVD, and audiobook lending
- Makerspace with technology access
- Document services: notary, faxing, printing, scanning
- Tape conversion services
- Room reservations for community meetings
- Genealogy research resources
- Online databases and research tools
- Used bookstore operated by the library foundation
🎸 Programs
- Storytimes and children's programs
- Book clubs and community reads
- Virtual author talks
- Summer library program
- Holiday Tree Gala and FAN FEST annual events
- Exercise and wellness programs
- Homeschool resources and support
- Video gaming programs for teens
📍 Nearby Libraries on the Mississippi Gulf Coast
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in BAY ST. LOUIS · Browse all Mississippi libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Hancock County Library survive Hurricane Katrina?
When Katrina made final landfall near Bay St. Louis on August 29, 2005, a 28-foot storm surge devastated the community. The library suffered significant damage but staff and the community worked quickly to restore services — it reopened to the public on October 12, 2005, just six weeks after the storm.
Does the Hancock County Library have a makerspace?
Yes. HCLS operates a makerspace with technology access including computers, tape conversion equipment, document services (faxing, printing, scanning), and other tech resources. Ask staff about current equipment availability.
What genealogy resources are available at the Bay St. Louis library?
The library offers genealogy resources including digital archives and research databases covering Gulf Coast family history. Staff can assist with research strategies, and the MAGNOLIA statewide database subscription adds further research tools at no cost.
Does the Hancock County Library offer notary services?
Yes. Document services at HCLS include notary, faxing, printing, and scanning. Call (228) 467-5282 to confirm notary availability and schedule an appointment.
📋 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.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
🔨 This library has a makerspace / 3D printing. See how library makerspaces and 3D printing work and find other libraries with a makerspace makerspaces by state.
🖨 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.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in October 2026.
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