George Latimer Central Library
🏢 Saint Paul Public Library · St Paul, Minnesota
George Latimer Central Library
The George Latimer Central Library is Saint Paul's grandest public building dedicated to knowledge — a 1917 Italian Renaissance Revival landmark of Tennessee marble at 90 West 4th Street, designed under the influence of the New York Public Library and the Morgan Library. Home to the Saint Paul Collection and an Innovation Lab, it was renamed in 2014 to honor George Latimer, the mayor who championed education and early childhood programs during his 14-year tenure.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 10am–5:30pm |
| Wednesday | 12pm–8pm |
| Thursday | 10am–5:30pm |
| Friday | 10am–5:30pm |
| Saturday | 10am–5:30pm |
| Sunday | 1pm–5pm |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 90 West 4th Street, St Paul, MN 55102
Phone: (651) 266-7000
Website: sppl.org
Plus Code: 86P8WWV3+F9 (St Paul, MN)
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📖 About George Latimer Central Library
The George Latimer Central Library anchors the Saint Paul Public Library system from its historic home at 90 West 4th Street in downtown Saint Paul, steps from Rice Park and the Ordway Center. The library traces its origins to 1856, when the city's first private reading room opened, and was formally established in 1882. The current building opened in 1917 after the 1915 fire that destroyed the old Market Hall library. Designed by architect Electus Litchfield — who studied with the firm that designed the New York Public Library — the structure features Tennessee marble exteriors, hand-painted ceiling beams, sculptural friezes by Ulysses Ricci, and three principal reading rooms whose ornate ceilings were preserved and restored in major renovations completed in 2002 and 2015–2016. Renamed on June 10, 2014, in honor of former Saint Paul Mayor George Latimer, the library holds special collections including the Saint Paul Collection (local history and city documents), an Auto Repair Collection, Government Documents, and three floors of back-stacks browsable by appointment five afternoons a week. The library also houses an Innovation Lab with 3D printers and maker equipment, the Skinner Teen Room (designed by local architect Magnus Jemne in 1939 as a national model for teen service), and the Peter J. King Welcome Center. Saint Paul Public Library cardholders enjoy smARTpass (Twin Cities arts access via MELSA) and a Minnesota State Parks Pass program.
⭐ What makes this library special
- 1917 Italian Renaissance Revival landmark of Tennessee marble — designed by Electus Litchfield, influenced by the New York Public Library
- Renamed in 2014 for Mayor George Latimer, who championed education and the Family Housing Fund during his 1976–1990 tenure
- Houses the Saint Paul Collection of local history, the Innovation Lab (3D printing, maker tools), and Government Documents
- Skinner Teen Room designed by Magnus Jemne in 1939 — a national model for teen library services — with original 1950 carved owl sculpture
- Three floors of back stacks with browsing access five afternoons a week, plus auto repair collection and ornate hand-painted ceilings
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Saint Paul Public Library cardholders access a rich digital library and Twin Cities arts benefits:
📚 Services
- Public computers, free Wi-Fi, and charging lockers
- Printing, copying, scanning, and fax
- Innovation Lab with 3D printers and maker equipment (Open Lab sessions)
- Notary services
- smARTpass arts access (free & discounted Twin Cities cultural admissions via MELSA)
- Minnesota State Parks Pass for day-use parking
- Back-stacks browsing access (Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun afternoons) for deep archival exploration
- Meeting rooms and study rooms (reservable)
- Hold pick-up lockers and after-hours book return
- Saint Paul Collection — local history and city documents
- Government Documents collection
- Auto Repair Collection
- Interlibrary loan via MNLINK
- Community Specialist and Mental Health Professional drop-in sessions
🎸 Programs
- Baby & Toddler Storytime and youth programming
- Teen services in the historic Skinner Teen Room
- Innovation Lab: Open Lab, 3D printing classes, FunLab for youth
- Voter Education nights and civic engagement events
- Community Resource Outreach Project (CROP) sessions
- Tax forms assistance (seasonal)
- Summer Spark reading and learning program
📍 Nearby Saint Paul Public Library Branches
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What are the George Latimer Central Library hours?
The library is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 10 am–5:30 pm; Wednesday noon–8 pm; and Sunday 1–5 pm. It is closed on Mondays.
Who was George Latimer, and why is the library named after him?
George Latimer served as Saint Paul's mayor from 1976 to 1990. During his tenure he launched the Family Housing Fund, created District Energy, and championed early childhood education. He later served on the Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library board, including as chair. On June 10, 2014, Mayor Chris Coleman renamed the Central Library in his honor.
What is in the back stacks at Central Library, and how do I access them?
Three floors of additional library materials — including parts of the print collection not shelved on the main floors — are housed in the back stacks. Browsing access is available five afternoons a week: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday 1–5 pm, and Sunday 1–4 pm. Visit the Information Desk in the Youth Services Department on the first floor to check out an access pass.
Does George Latimer Central Library offer notary services?
Yes. Saint Paul Public Library offers notary services; visit sppl.org/notary-services/ for current availability and scheduling information at the Central Library and other branches.
📋 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 has study rooms. See how library study rooms work — booking, time limits and quiet vs group rooms — and find other libraries with study rooms libraries with study rooms 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.
📅 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.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
