Library Programs & Collection Highlights
The Louisiana Division
The Louisiana Division is a reference division which collects resources relating to the study of Louisiana and its citizens and to the city of New Orleans and New Orleanians. Other areas of concentration are the Mississippi River, the Gulf of Mexico, and the South. Included within the Division's collections are books by or about Louisianians; city, regional, and state documents; manuscripts, maps, newspapers, periodicals, microfilms, photographs, slides, motion pictures, sound recordings, video tapes, postcards, and ephemera of every sort.
The Louisiana Division also houses the City Archives, the official repository for the records of New Orleans municipal government (1769-present), and holds on deposit the pre-1927 records of the civil courts and the pre-1932 records of the criminal courts of Orleans Parish. Special Collections maintained by the Division are the Rare Vertical File, the Carnival Collection, the Louisiana Photograph Collection, the Map Collection, the Menu Collection, the Postcard Collection, the Manuscript Collection, and the Rare Book Collection.
The Division's extensive Genealogy Collection contains books, periodicals and microfilms with emphasis on New Orleans, Louisiana, the Southeast United States, Nova Scotia, France, and Spain. Follow the link to read a testimonial regarding the Genealogy Collection at the New Orleans Public Library.
Genealogy
The journey of discovering your family lineage is one of the most important passages you can take. That passage can begin with a visit to the New Orleans Public Library's main branch, home to the largest collection of genealogical materials in the city. Traveling up to the third floor you'll find the Louisiana Division, which houses municipal records, genealogical resources, photographs, probate records for Orleans Parish and much more, including an expansive collection of newspapers on microfilm dating back to 1805.
Knowledgeable librarians can guide you through the collections and useful outside links. I found pictures of my family by going to ancestry.com, where I set up an individual account. The library itself houses such original documents as military service records, birth records, and marriage unions as well as resources such as books and periodicals, with emphasis on New Orleans, Louisiana, the Southeast United States, Nova Scotia, France, and Spain. They also offer a complete obituary index, now available online, dating back to the early 1800's.
The Children's Room
The Children's Room provides an excellent selection of picture books, series fiction, easy-readers, award-winning and popular novels, reference materials, and internet access.
Children deserve the very best in reading material, and our experienced staff will help you select books that are appealing and appropriate. Follow the link for more information on one of the Children's Division's Programs, the Summer Reading Program.
Summer Reading Program
Take the joys of a great summer book, throw in carousels, crafts and drummers, and invite the whole family to a party, and you'll see why Summer Reading is the most popular program at the NOPL, attracting thousands of kids each year.
Once a week for eight summer weeks, participating branches offer exciting events and activities to bring entire families to the library. Examples include miniature ponies, clowns, drummers, Mardi Gras Indians, a small carousel, crafts, and face painting. Some branches host parties with live entertainment showcasing local groups and artists such as Irwin Royes' Young Audiences Performers, which includes Philip Melancon, Mama Saba, Calliope Puppets, and drummers. The libraries have also brought in nature programs such as Zoomobile, AquaVan, BugMobile, Wetlands Express and Wind in My Feathers. The Hornets Bookmobile and Saints players have also made guest appearances.
Prior to Katrina, the library system would reach 9,000 to 13,000 kids each year. Because of Katrina, the program suffered some set backs, but the library system did reach 2,400 kids last year. But the library branches are working hard to bring to program above and beyond pre-Katrina standards and expand and develop better ways of reaching children and teens and encouraging them to join the Summer Reading and Teen Reading Programs.
The African American Rescource Center
The African American Resource Center (AARC) is a reference division of the New Orleans Public Library that offers patrons a variety of resource materials on the African experience in the Americas. The AARC opened its door to the public in January 1997. The Center is responsible for NOPL's collection development in the area of African American studies, cultural programming and development and acquisition of educational resources that relate to African Americans. The AARC is located on the Second floor of the Main Library, 219 Loyola Avenue. Follow the link for more information.
Village Green
Village Green is a pilot library program that helps New Orleans residents access information, incentives, and services related to energy efficiency and sustainability. The New Orleans Public Library is building five new libraries, the first new constructions to be built to the city's Green Solutions standards. Physical modernization of the library system goes hand-in-hand with the development of programming to reflect the changing roles the library plays in the 21st century. Energy efficiency and sustainability programming will be key parts of this transformation. Libraries are the most trusted public institutions and an important partner in the greening of the city.
Energy efficiency and sustainability information, resources and services are tailored for specific audiences through the Village Green program. Audiences include:
- Homeowners
- Renters
- Landlords
- Local Businesses
- Public Agencies
- Non-Profits
Community members can access Village Green resources at the first established VIllage Green location at the New Orleans Public Library's main branch at 219 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112. All information is also accessable through the Village Green Website.
Village Green works closely with partners in sustainability. Among the benefits the library program offers its partners are opportunities to network, ideas for making environmental improvements more accessible, strategies for increasing audience, and better addressing residents' evolving needs. Village Green also provides conference rooms and public space for meetings and workshops, and resources to ensure that all events are run in an eco-conscious manner.
Teen Zone
Teens, ages 12-17, come join us!
The Teen Zone is located on the second floor of the Main Library, and sponsors regular programming for teens every Saturday. Programs are held in the Auditorium on the third floor of the Main Library.
Program Outline: Video Game Party, first Saturday of the month from 2pm to 4pm. Arts and Crafts Workshop, Second Saturday of the month from 2pm-4pm. Anime/Magna Club, third Saturday of the Month from 3pm to 4pm. Young Writers Workshop, fourth Saturday of the Month from 3pm-4pm.
YES! (YMCA Educational Service Branch) Learning Center
After Hurricane Katrina destroyed the YES! facilities, NOPL offered the YMCA's adult literacy program the use of the Main Library's Learning Center space (having lost our Learning Center staff) -- and a flourishing partnership was born.
YES! provides tutoring in reading, writing and math skills, basic computer training, and GED preparation to adults age 16 and older. One of the foremost literacy programs in New Orleans prior to Hurricane Katrina, YES! has served more than 15,000 adult learners and their families since its inception in 1977 with the help of committed volunteers and staff. YES! is the largest and oldest non-local education agency adult literacy program in the state and has been used as a model for similar programs across the country.