Public Libraries in New Orleans, Louisiana
🏢 New Orleans Public Library
Public Libraries in New Orleans, Louisiana
A directory of New Orleans Public Library locations — from the downtown Main Library and its City Archives to the historic Latter mansion on St. Charles Avenue — with real hours, addresses, and what makes each one worth a visit.
📚 About the New Orleans Public Library
The New Orleans Public Library serves the Crescent City through its downtown Main Library and more than a dozen neighborhood branches. The Main Library, opened in 1960 on Loyola Avenue, houses the renowned City Archives and Louisiana Division, the primary repository for the records and history of New Orleans. Among the branches is the Milton H. Latter Memorial Library, set inside a 1907 Beaux-Arts mansion on the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line, and several libraries rebuilt after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Any Louisiana resident can get a free NOPL card, which unlocks borrowing, computers, Wi-Fi, and digital services from eBooks to streaming film.
📱 Free with a New Orleans Public Library Card
Any Louisiana resident can get a NOPL card free and unlock:
New Orleans Public Library Branches
The New Orleans Public Library serves the city through its downtown Main Library and a network of neighborhood branches — from a Gilded Age mansion on St. Charles Avenue to modern libraries rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina. Explore individual locations for real hours, addresses, and what makes each one distinctive:
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the City Archives at the Main Library?
The Main Library on Loyola Avenue houses the New Orleans City Archives and Louisiana Division, the main repository for the historical records of New Orleans — including municipal records, maps, photographs, and genealogy resources used by researchers from around the world.
How did Hurricane Katrina affect the New Orleans Public Library?
The 2005 hurricane and flooding damaged or destroyed several library branches and much of their collections. Over the following years the system rebuilt, reopening modern libraries such as the Rosa F. Keller, Norman Mayer, and Algiers Regional branches.
Do I need to live in New Orleans to get a library card?
No. Any Louisiana resident can get a New Orleans Public Library card for free, which unlocks borrowing at all locations plus digital services like Libby, hoopla, and Kanopy.