Looking Forward to a New Chapter:
New Orleans Public Library Reflects on 20 Years of Renewal
In the days following Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans Public Library was only able to provide basic services to the residents of New Orleans. In the two decades since the storm as the city has grown and changed so has the New Orleans Public Library. As a result of this growth and change, the library system has been able to provide additional services, rebuild libraries and create innovative programs to meet the needs of New Orleans’ residents.
As the New Orleans Public Library looks towards the future, we want to continue to grow along with the city and the people who call it home. This means increased resources, expanded services and new programming.
There is no way to capture all of the important events that have shaped the New Orleans Public Library over the past twenty years. Using materials from City Archives & Special Collections we hope to provide a window into our recovery process and glimpse of what the next twenty years may hold for the New Orleans Public Library.
Re-Opening the Branches
August 29, 2005 Hurricane Katrina makes landfall with deadly and destructive consequences. Just over 2 months later, on October 31, 2005 New Orleans Public Library starts the process of re-opening libraries with the Main, Algiers Point (now Hubbell), and Nix branches. Read a report from Main Library for Opening Day or a report from the System for Opening Week.
Support from the American Library Association
In June of 2006, less than a year after Hurricane Katrina, the American Library Association showed its support for New Orleans by hosting the first major convention in the city after the storm.
Ahead of the conference, the editor in chief of ALA’s magazine visited to New Orleans to assess the situation and reassure conference attendees that New Orleans was ready for them. Then Mayor C. Ray Nagin spoke at the conference and welcomed the attendees to New Orleans. Volunteers from ALA helped to rebuild and sort book donations for the Library.
Articles about the ALA conference and New Orleans published in American Libraries Magazine after the conference.
In 2011, ALA returned to New Orleans, and it was a rousing success, as evidenced by these articles published by ALA.
Fleur-de-lis book pin fundraiser
The Friends of the New Orleans Public Library commissioned local artist Thomas Mann to create these unique pins to be sold for the benfit of the Friends and the Library.
Post-Katrina Publications from NOPL's Friends and Foundation
Progress Reports from Rebuild New Orleans Public Library
Planning for a Resilient Future and a Better Library
2008 Master Plan for the Library
This exhibit features the section of the master plan titled: What Can the Library Be? To view the full master plan please schedule an appointment to visit the Archives in person.
"Speaking Volumes" logo is introduced in 2008
A new logo is introduced as part of a plan to reshape the map of Libraries across the city.
Click on an image below to enlarge or read.
The Case for the 2015 Millage
The Library needed additional funding, and the public voted with an overwhelming YES to a new, secondary millage for the Library.
2021 Millage Renewal
In 2021 voters again came out to support renewing the Library’s primary Millage with a 70% YES vote.
Reflections
New Challenges
In 2020 New Orleans Public Library, like the rest of the world, was faced with the challenges of a Pandemic. Although Covid forced Library buildings to close temporarily for the safety of both staff and patrons, the Library was able to offer an unprecedented volume of e-resources to the public. As the Library re-opened it partnered with the New Orleans Health Department to offer free masks, and Covid tests. The Library also continued transitioning to a fine-free model.
When Hurricane Laura hit Western Louisiana and Texas in August of 2020, evacuees were offered in-person assistance at branches and free temporary New Orleans Public Library Cards.
16 years after Katrina, on August 29, 2021, Hurricane Ida, hit the city. Fortunately, damage to the Library during this storm was minimal, and branches were able to begin re-opening September 7, 2021, just over a week after the storm. Staff immediately set to work ensuring that the Libraries could offer air-conditioned spaces with electricity, internet access, and help with printing and faxing.
The Growth of Library Services Over the Last 20 Years
In August of 2005, before Katrina hit, there were 14 branches with 213 employees. In October of 2005 storm-related layoffs left 19 employees. By January of 2007 there were approximately 84 employees. To learn more about staffing during this time, read the full 2007 Personnel Report here.
As of writing this in 2025, there are 14 open Library branches, and one additional location currently undergoing renovations and upgrades; the open branches offer a combined total of 696 open hours every week. There is also the REACH Center and 1 Satellite location offering additional Library services. There are approximately 210 employees.
Main Library
Cita Dennis Hubbell Library
Nix Library
Children's Resource Center
Latter Library
Alvar Library
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
Central City Library
Mid-City Library
Rosa Keller Library and Community Center
Norman Mayer Library
Robert E. Smith Library
East New Orleans Regional Library
Algiers Regional Libary
Nora Navra Library
Why is the Library Important?
This was originally a physical exhibit created in 2015; it was digitized and expanded in 2025 by Amy DeNisco.