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New Orleans Public Library Official account of the New Orleans Public Library. Transforming Lives, Enriching Neighborhoods, and Preserving History. Stay connected with the Library.

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Today is the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month! We had a blast listening, dancing, creating, reading, and learning abo...
10/15/2026

Today is the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month! We had a blast listening, dancing, creating, reading, and learning about Latinx histories and cultures with you this month.

Some highlights included:

A special musical visit to Main Library from the Cristina Kaminis quartet, presented in partnership with the Stone Center for Latin American Studies, the Library Foundation, and Musicians for Music; a Día de los Mu***os mini altar workshop; and a bilingual author talk from Latin Grammy-winning artist Lucky Diaz.

At the Library, we celebrate Hispanic and Latinx voices, stories, and experiences all year long!

Download the NOLALibrary app, visit our website, or stop by your neighborhood Library locations for recommendations on what to read, watch, and listen to, and keep an eye on our events calendar for Spanish-language programs throughout the year.

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¡Hoy es el último día del mes de la herencia hispana y latina! Divertíamos muchísimos escuchando, bailando, creando, leyendo y aprendiendo sobre las historias y culturas latinas este mes.

Algunos eventos especiales incluían una visita musical al Main Library del cuarteto de Cristina Kaminis, presentado en colaboración con el Stone Center for Latin American Studies, el Library Foundation y Musicians for Music; un taller de hacer ofrendas pequeñas para el Día de los Mu***os; y una charla bilingüe con Lucky Diaz, un autor y ganador de un Latin Grammy.

En la biblioteca, celebramos las voces, historias y experiencias hispanas y latinas durante todo el año.

Descarga la app de NOLA Library, visita nuestro sitio web o visita tu biblioteca vecindario para recomendaciones de libros, películas y música. También, visita nuestro calendario de eventos para encontrar programas en español durante todo el año.

Happy American Archives Month! To celebrate, we’re highlighting one of our City Archives & Special Collections’ recent e...
10/15/2026

Happy American Archives Month! To celebrate, we’re highlighting one of our City Archives & Special Collections’ recent exhibits “Lost New Orleans: Echoes of the Crescent City,” which is currently on display at Main Library and digitally at nolacityarchives.org.

As New Orleanians, many of us are familiar with the phrase “ain’t dere no more,” popularized by beloved local novelty band Benny Grunch & The Bunch. The Archives’ exhibit borrows this idea to explore the places, events, institutions, and infrastructures that once defined life in the Crescent City through photographs, maps, documents, and artifacts from their collections.

Among the exhibit are artifacts from restaurants like the iconic Super Popeyes; sports franchises like minor league baseball teams the Pelicans and New Orleans Creoles; infrastructure like the pre-highway N. Claiborne Avenue and the Rivergate International Exhibition Center, which occupied the present-day site of Cesear’s Casino and more.

More than a story of loss, this exhibit invites visitors to reflect on how generations of New Orleanians have shaped and reimagined their city while celebrating the enduring legacy that continues to echo throughout New Orleans today.

Use the link in our bio to explore the digital exhibit or stop by Main Library to see the installation in person on the first floor!

Spooky season has sunk its icy claws into us and Dr. M. A. Dewey is emerging from his basement Library lair once again t...
10/14/2026

Spooky season has sunk its icy claws into us and Dr. M. A. Dewey is emerging from his basement Library lair once again to host a special House of Schlock Halloween screening...

Descended from the first librarian appointed in Alexandria by the Ptolemaic kings, Dr. M. A. Dewey has spent his life hidden away in a dark basement of a library near the French Quarter, toiling in secrecy to unravel the mystic secrets of library science and searching tirelessly for the one true classification system lost to the dark ages.

You're invited to join Dr. Dewey at 2pm this Saturday (Oct. 17) at Smith Library, where he'll be screening the 1988 cult classic, "Killer Klowns from Outer Space" at Attendees will enjoy refreshments, trivia, lore, and more.

Dr. Dewey’s House of Schlock is inspired by the horror host genre pioneered by Vampira in the early 1950s and expanded by many hosts around the country like New Orleans’ own Morgus the Magnificent.

Use the link in our bio or visit nolalibrary.co/spooky to learn more about Dr. Dewey, PLUS find scary stories, creepy crafts, and eerie events for all ages 🎃🦇🕸️

All Library locations will be closed Monday, Oct. 12 in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day.The day was first national...
10/09/2026

All Library locations will be closed Monday, Oct. 12 in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day.

The day was first nationally acknowledged by President Biden in 2021, marking a pivot from a holiday long rooted in the celebration Christopher Columbus to one focused on the people whose lives and culture were forever changed by colonialism.

Today, we use Indigenous Peoples' Day as an opportunity to recognize the painful history Indigenous people have faced and to celebrate their communities.

While widespread observances of Indigenous Peoples' Day is a recent development, native communities have been honoring the day in place of Columbus Day for much longer, with records dating back to the 1970s or more.

These are just a few titles in our collection you can use to celebrate, acknowledge, and educate yourself this Indigenous Peoples Day.

Download the NOLALibrary app, or visit catalog.nolalibrary.org to find and reserve these titles and more.

10/09/2026

Got questions about book bans? Your friendly neighborhood Library professional is here with some answers!

According to the American Library Association Office of Intellectual Freedom, 5,668 books were banned from libraries in 2025, and an additional 920 books were censored through access restrictions such as relocation or requiring parental permission.

This is the highest number of titles censored in one year since 1990.

The most common justifications for censorship were false claims of illegal obscenity for minors; inclusion of LGBTQIA+ characters or themes; and covering topics of race, racism, equity, and social justice.

At the New Orleans Public Library, we celebrate the freedom to read year round.

What’s your favorite banned book?

In honor of Banned Books Week, Jillian put together a list of books & movies that take an international look at governme...
10/08/2026

In honor of Banned Books Week, Jillian put together a list of books & movies that take an international look at government censorship and the dangers that come from inhibiting free expression.

From China and Russia to Iran and the Philippines, the stories in these titles come from journalists and artists who were imprisoned, threatened, or physically assaulted in response to their works.

The titles appear on Amnesty International’s list for Banned Books Week and are available for check out at the New Orleans Public Library.

Use the link in our bio or visit nolalibrary.co/banned-books to learn more about these important works!

Robert E. Smith Library is officially reopen, following successful roof and HVAC repairs, and our staff can't wait to we...
10/07/2026

Robert E. Smith Library is officially reopen, following successful roof and HVAC repairs, and our staff can't wait to welcome you back!

These repairs were part of a long-awaited Capital Project to repair critical systems that keep Library staff and patrons comfortable during New Orleans’ fluctuating temperatures.

Norman Mayer Library is currently closed to replace a part in their new HVAC system, which is under warranty from work done earlier this year. Once Norman Mayer reopens, Algiers Regional Library will be closed to start the final leg of this multi-Library location project.

Alvar, Keller, and Nora Navra Libraries are currently also closed due to facilities issues.

Use the link in our bio or visit our website, nolalibrary.org to find more information about Library locations & hours, and check out our building projects page for details about ongoing closures and facilities maintenance.

Thank you to everyone who attended our ribbon cutting and open house at the refreshed, renewed, and repaired Children’s ...
10/05/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended our ribbon cutting and open house at the refreshed, renewed, and repaired Children’s Resource Center this weekend!

We had a blast welcoming you all back inside this historic building, which we hope will continue serving young readers for another 118 years.

Located on Napoleon Ave. and Magazine St., the Children’s Resource Center is our second-oldest Library location, dating back to 1908. When the historic building closed to undergo significant structural repairs last May, we took the opportunity to return it to its original purpose as an early learning center.

This decision was guided by the Library’s 10-year strategic plan, which identified low early literacy rates as a key community concern.

“As we cut the ribbon on this long-awaited project, we open the doors to a thoughtfully and intentionally designed place for early learners and their caregivers to fall in love with reading together, strengthening community learning for generations to come,” Emily Painton, executive director & city librarian said.

Guided by the leadership of Morgan Hanrahan, the Library’s newly appointed head of early literacy, the center will serve as the central point for providing consistent and carefully curated early literacy programming, resources, collections, and more.

Use the link in our bio or visit nolalibrary.co/crc to learn more about this exciting project, or stop by and see us! The CRC is open Monday-Thursday from 10am-6pm, and Fridays-Saturdays from 10am-5pm.

Calling all local musicians: Today is the LAST DAY to submit to Crescent City Sounds!Launched in 2022, Crescent City Sou...
10/02/2026

Calling all local musicians: Today is the LAST DAY to submit to Crescent City Sounds!

Launched in 2022, Crescent City Sounds is a Library-built music streaming service, and the only listening platform to feature a catalog of exclusively local artist.

Our goal is to create at a music hub that accurately reflects New Orleans’ diverse music scene, which means we'll be seeking submissions across ALL genres.

This is our fifth submission round, and we'll be adding a total of 60 new albums this year, each with an honorarium of $300.

Use the link in our bio or visit crescentcitysounds.org to learn more about this project, our curators, and to listen to local music for free 🎶

Born and raised in New Orleans, Lionel Milton's work has been celebrated around the world, including at the Library.As o...
10/02/2026

Born and raised in New Orleans, Lionel Milton's work has been celebrated around the world, including at the Library.

As our 2026 artist in residence, Lionel helped design our Summer Fun & Reading Challenge tote bag, which was inspired by fond childhood memories of reading with his grandmother.

Still an avid reader and frequent Library-user, Lionel called this partnership, "a no brainer."

“It just makes so much sense to me. It helps reflect the community, the culture, and it’s beneficial for everyone,” Milton said. “It lets people access art for free, it brings people into the Library, and it helps get attention for local art. It’s tangible, it’s organic, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

In addition to designing this year’s Summer Fun tote bag, Lionel’s residency includes leading free programs for all ages. The fall series kicks off this Saturday (Oct. 3) at the REACH Center, where Lionel will lead a Michael Jackson-inspired art workshop for kids and adults.

Next week, he'll host two more workshops -- a graffiti class for adults at Mid-City Library and Ruby Bridges-inspired art workshop for kids at Main Library.

Space is limited and registration is required! Use the link in our bio or visit nolalibrary.co/lionel-milton to sign up 😎

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