Libraries are one of the best free resources! You can find just about anything you need here, from popular fiction novels to rentable equipment. If you want to utilize everything a library has to offer, thankfully, Memphis has plenty of convenient locations for everyone. Here are just some of the libraries around town that you can visit for events, books, and more.
The Cossitt Public Library
If you haven’t been to the newly renovated Cossitt library, you’re going to want to add it to your list. It reopened in 2023 after a five-year closure and, now what was Memphis’ first library, features more than 10,000 books, performance space, and podcast recording studios. While you’re curling up with a good book, don’t forget to stop by Dos Hermanos located right inside the building. Memphis’ own Chef Eli Townsend is cooking up and curating some delicious breakfast and lunch dishes!
Bartlett Public Library
Located on Stage Road, this public library is open every day of the week, including Sundays. You can stop by to grab a book, use their WiFi, print and copy files, or even just join in during their classes and events.
Cordova Library
You can visit the Cordova branch from Monday through Saturday on Trinity Road. This library offers seasonal movie nights, public use of computers, copy machines and printers, and meeting rooms for your convenience.
Benjamin L. Hooks Public Central Library
Visit the primary Memphis library any day of the week down on Poplar Avenue. This large, beautiful building has a ton of resources that many of the other branches have, along with a personal finance center, teen learning lab, secondhand bookstore, and so much more.
Memphis North Library
This Memphis library is located on Vollintine and is open from Monday through Saturday. You can utilize their many free resources, like their teen innovation center and literacy center. Be sure to check out their upcoming events for classes, meet-ups, and more.
Officer Geoffrey Red Library
Here’s another library on Poplar closer to White Station. They’re open from Monday through Saturday and offer WiFi, printing and copying, meeting rooms, and a teen center along with their weekly events.
Raleigh Library
This is one of the newer libraries in the 901! The Raleigh Library is right on Austin Peay Highway, and they’re only closed on Sundays. Stop by for a new book, to surf the web, or to participate in fun activities like story time or arts and crafts.
East Shelby Library
Located on E Shelby Drive, this library stays open Monday through Saturday for all kinds of helpful resources. You can utilize their public computers, meeting rooms, printing and copying equipment, or see what kid and adult activities they have each day.
With so many amazing libraries around Memphis, you can learn a skill, join a book club, or even have discussions with your community. Check out their full list of locations, and be sure to support your local library!
