Celebrate 125 Years

On January 18, 1897, the New Orleans Public Library opened its doors for the first time. Previously called the Fisk Free and Public Library, the institution was located inside St. Patrick’s Hall on Lafayette Square with a collection of over 35,000 volumes. Fast forward to 2022. The New Orleans Public Library now operates a 15-location system with a collection of more than 466,000 items and enriches the community with access to free services and resources that its founders could likely have never imagined. As we celebrate our 125th anniversary, we’re looking back through the decades to remember how we got where we are today and inspire us for many more years to come.