Main Library (NOPL)
🏢 New Orleans Public Library · New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans Public Library Main Library
The New Orleans Public Library's flagship opened on December 15, 1958, in a glass-and-concrete masterpiece by Curtis & Davis on Loyola Avenue — a building that won a Progressive Architecture design award in 1957 and an AIA honor in 1963. Today it anchors 15 NOPL branches, houses the City Archives & Special Collections on the third floor, and offers passport services, free notary clinics, and a Teen Tech Center.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–6pm |
| Thursday | 10am–6pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 219 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 596-2550
Website: nolalibrary.org
Plus Code: 76XFXW3F+RR (New Orleans, LA)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About New Orleans Public Library Main Library
The New Orleans Public Library Main Library stands at 219 Loyola Avenue in the Central Business District, half a block from City Hall. Its current building, designed by the architects Curtis & Davis with Goldstein, Parham and Labouisse and Favrot, Reed, Mathes & Bergman, opened December 15, 1958 — replacing the earlier main branch that had occupied Lee Circle since 1908. The steel-frame structure, built on a four-foot module with two basement levels, is wrapped in glass on three sides behind an aluminum screen that filters glare while flooding the interior with light. It earned a design award from Progressive Architecture magazine in 1957 and an American Institute of Architects honor in 1963. On the third floor, the City Archives & Special Collections preserves New Orleans' municipal records, photographs, and manuscripts dating to the early French colonial era. The library also houses the REACH Center for adult literacy and job readiness, a Teen Tech Center, and Books-by-Mail for homebound residents. Free volunteer notary services are offered on Saturdays from 2 to 4 pm by appointment at nolalibrary.org/notary. Cardholders access Libby, hoopla, Kanopy, and the full Louisiana Library Connection statewide database suite at no charge.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Opened December 15, 1958 in a landmark glass-and-concrete design by Curtis & Davis — winner of a 1957 Progressive Architecture award and 1963 AIA honor
- City Archives & Special Collections on the third floor: New Orleans municipal records, photographs, and manuscripts from the French colonial era to the present
- REACH Center for adult literacy, GED preparation, and job readiness; Teen Tech Center for digital skills and STEM
- Free volunteer notary service on Saturdays 2–4 pm (appointment required at nolalibrary.org/notary)
- Culture Pass for free admission to New Orleans-area museums and attractions; Libby, hoopla & Kanopy for digital borrowing
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
NOPL cardholders at the Main Library and all branches can borrow, stream, and research free through these digital collections:
📚 Services
- City Archives & Special Collections (third floor) — New Orleans historical records, photographs, maps, and manuscripts
- Free volunteer notary service (Saturdays 2–4 pm, appointment required; book at nolalibrary.org/notary)
- Culture Pass — free admission to New Orleans-area museums and attractions
- REACH Center — adult literacy, GED prep, job readiness, and technology assistance
- Teen Tech Center — digital skills, coding, and STEM programming for teens
- Books-by-Mail for homebound residents
- Wireless printing, public computers & free Wi-Fi
- Meeting room rentals and community event space
- Interlibrary loan (ILL)
🎸 Programs
- REACH Center adult literacy and job readiness classes
- Teen Tech Center programming and STEM workshops
- Volunteer notary clinic (Saturdays 2–4 pm by appointment)
- MyNew Orleans Photo Project and community arts partnerships
- Summer Reading Program
- Children's and family programming
📍 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
When did the current NOPL Main Library building open, and who designed it?
The building opened on December 15, 1958. It was designed by the architectural firm Curtis & Davis, with Goldstein, Parham and Labouisse and Favrot, Reed, Mathes & Bergman as associate architects. The steel-frame, glass-and-aluminum structure won a Progressive Architecture design award in 1957 (before completion) and an American Institute of Architects honor in 1963.
What is the City Archives & Special Collections at the Main Library?
Located on the third floor, the City Archives & Special Collections is the official repository for New Orleans municipal records, including photographs, maps, manuscripts, and documents dating to the early French colonial era. It is open to researchers and the public during library hours.
Does the Main Library offer notary services?
Yes. Free volunteer notary services are available on Saturdays from 2 to 4 pm by appointment. Appointments can be booked at nolalibrary.org/notary. The service is free, limited to 3 documents per person per visit, and is not available for commercial businesses.
What programs does the NOPL Main Library offer for adults and teens?
The REACH Center on site provides adult literacy instruction, GED preparation, job readiness training, and computer skills classes. The Teen Tech Center offers digital skills, coding, and STEM programming for teens. Books-by-Mail ships materials to homebound residents who cannot visit in person.
🎨 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.
🖨 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.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.