Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library
🏢 Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library · Meridian, Mississippi
Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library
Located in the heart of downtown Meridian, the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library has served the Queen City and surrounding Lauderdale County for over a century. Its celebrated Carousel Horse — an artistic tribute to 24 classic children's books — greets young readers and symbolizes the library's long commitment to literacy and imagination.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 8:30am–5:30pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30am–5:30pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30am–5:30pm |
| Thursday | 8:30am–5:30pm |
| Friday | 8:30am–5:30pm |
| Saturday | 9am–1pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 2517 7th Street, Meridian, MS 39301
Phone: (601) 693-6771
Website: meridian.lib.ms.us
Plus Code: 864H977W+H8 (Meridian, MS)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library
The Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library is the public library for the city of Meridian and Lauderdale County, Mississippi, serving approximately 80,000 residents from its downtown location at 2517 7th Street. With a collection of more than 87,000 volumes and roughly 100,000 items circulated each year, it is the anchor library of eastern Mississippi. The library's Carousel Horse — a sculptural display on which each panel depicts one of 24 beloved children's books, from Charlotte's Web to Where the Wild Things Are — has become a beloved local landmark within the children's wing. Beyond books, the library provides free notary services, a dedicated genealogy room with access to GenealogyBank, Fold3 military records, NewsBank, and microfilm archives of Southern newspapers, as well as public computers, wireless printing, and digital borrowing through Libby and the statewide MAGNOLIA consortium. Programs serve all ages, from toddler storytimes to senior events.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Downtown Meridian anchor library serving ~80,000 residents with more than 87,000 volumes and ~100,000 annual circulations
- The Carousel Horse — an iconic in-library sculpture mapping 24 classic children's books across a carved carousel horse
- Dedicated genealogy room with GenealogyBank, Fold3 military records, NewsBank obituaries, and Southern newspaper microfilm
- Free notary public services available to the public during library hours
- Statewide MAGNOLIA databases, Libby eBooks & audiobooks, and Learning Express available free with a library card
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Meridian-Lauderdale cardholders can borrow, stream, and research online free with these digital resources:
📚 Services
- Free notary public services during library hours
- Genealogy room: GenealogyBank, Fold3, NewsBank, and Southern newspaper microfilm
- Public access computers and free Wi-Fi
- Wireless printing, copying, and fax services
- Libby eBooks, eAudiobooks, and digital magazines
- Interlibrary loan services
- Reference assistance from librarians
🎸 Programs
- Toddler and pre-K storytimes
- K–5th grade after-school programs
- Teen programs for grades 6–12
- Adult community programs and events
- Senior programs
- Summer Reading Program
📍 Nearby Libraries in East-Central Mississippi
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Meridian · Browse all Mississippi libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Carousel Horse at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library?
The Carousel Horse is an artistic centerpiece in the library's children's area — a sculpted carousel horse on which each section of the body represents one of 24 classic children's books, from Charlotte's Web and The Cat in the Hat to Where the Wild Things Are. It has become a beloved local landmark that captures the library's dedication to literacy and reading for children.
Does the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library offer notary services?
Yes. The library offers free notary public services to the public during regular library hours (Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.–1 p.m.). No appointment is needed, though it is advisable to call ahead at (601) 693-6771 to confirm availability.
What genealogy resources are available at the library?
The library has a dedicated genealogy room with access to GenealogyBank (newspapers from 1690 to the present), Fold3 (U.S. military records and personal documents), NewsBank / HeritageHub (obituaries and death notices from thousands of U.S. newspapers), and microfilm archives of Southern historical newspapers. Reference staff at (601) 553-2459 can assist with your research.
How do I get a Meridian-Lauderdale County library card, and can I borrow eBooks?
Bring a photo ID and proof of Lauderdale County address to the library at 2517 7th Street, Meridian MS 39301. Your card is free and unlocks the full collection, plus digital borrowing through Libby (eBooks and audiobooks), the MAGNOLIA research databases, and Learning Express — all available 24/7 from home.
📋 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.
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