Contact Information
Phone: (251) 340-1535
Email: mainref@mplonline.org
Hours & Location
Ben May Main Library
701 Government Street
Mobile, AL 36602
Library Hours
Monday - Thursday: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m*.
Friday & Saturday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sun: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.*
*closed on Sundays in the summer (from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day)
Curbside Pickup
Mon - Sat: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
See Holiday Closings
Upcoming Events
Davidson High School's art exhibit at the Ben May Main Library...
We encourage you to come to the Ben May Main Library to witness the creativity and talent of student artists from Davidson High School up close!
Fancy dipping your toes into the world of knitting or crocheting?
Look no further than The Unravellers Club! Join us to swap tips, get skilled, and spread the love of all things knit and crochet. Whether you're just beginning or an expert, all are welcome to join!
Registration is recommended! To register, please call 251-340-1458 or email at wjohnson@mplonline.org.
The African American Genealogical Society is ready to assist you with your research!
Graphic Design for Beginners!
Need to learn to make a flyer for you business or community group? Join us upstairs in the Technology Room to learn the basics of using Canva – a free, web-based graphic design platform. Moderate level of computer skills required. Please make sure to create your Canva account before attending class. You can sign up here canva.com/signup.
Registration is recommended, as class size is limited. If not registered, class will be first come, first served until capacity is reached.
To register or for more information, please email the Main Reference Desk at mainref@mplonline.org or call (251) 340-1458.
Join us in the youth programming room to enjoy storytime with books, songs, fingerplays, and more!
Stimulate your baby’s developing senses and help them build listening and memory skills that can help your baby grow up to be a reader. Enjoy meeting other parents and their little ones and making new friends.
For more information, please call 251-340-1507 or email mainyou@mplonline.org.
Contacts
Circulation Services Main
Connection Center
Interlibrary Loan
Reference & Adult Services Main
Teen Services Main
Youth Services Main
Services
These printers can be used to make three-dimensional objects using plastic filament. The 3D printing service is available to all ages.
The meeting room has a capacity of 60 and is available to be reserved for public use. Includes a galley kitchen with a refrigerator and microwave.
The beautiful theater seats approximately 230 people and can be reserved for public use. Including: Stage, Balcony Area, Projection system, Sound system with mics, Piano
A few locations have button makers available for public use. The finished buttons are 2.25" in diameter and cost 25¢ per button.
The rooms house all the children's fiction books, non-fiction books, movies, TV shows, educational videos, board books and reference books.
The AWE Children's Educational Workstations are designed for ages 2 - 8.
Knowledgeable staff can help with your job search, whipping your resume into shape and finding resources to prepare for your next interview.
The reading room has plenty of tables available for study on both floors and public computers on the first floor.
Our exhibit spaces display beautiful art and educational panels regularly. Contact a location if you would like to collaborate with the library on an exhibit.
Fax services available at every library location. Sending a fax to local, long distance and toll-free numbers is $1 per page. Cover pages are free.
Get online access to Candid Community's grant information databases at all Mobile Public Library locations.
Items not owned by the Mobile Public Library, or not available in the needed format, may be requested through Interlibrary Loan (ILL).
Bring your own supplies or pay for the supplies we have on hand. Machines are free to use. Printing costs of the items to laminate not included. Each person is limited to 25 items a month.
Print to the Mobile Public Library printers by going to your library location's PrinterOn website, emailing the location's printer or using the PrinterOn app.
Head up to the second floor to get help from knowledgeable Reference Librarians and use the extensive Reference Collection.
Many Mobile Public Library locations have staff members available (by appointment) to notarize your important documents. Contact your chosen location to see if or when they will be available.
Printers & copiers are available for public use at every location. Black and white printing/copying is $.10 per page. Color printing/copying is $.50 per page.
We offer free proctoring by librarians and reference staff at some of our library locations. Please contact the reference staff in advance to schedule a time convenient for you.
Computers available for public use at every location. Microsoft Office suite including Word, Excel, Access, Publisher and PowerPoint. Educational games for kids. Adobe Reader.
These rooms are dedicated to children's programs, especially Storytimes.
Public computers are available all over the library, but the largest number are in the Technology Center.
Find all the young adult books, paperbacks, video games, magazines and comic books in this area. Also in this room are computers just for teens.
Wi-Fi is available for public use at every location, including on the Bookmobile. Connect to 'Library Name'Guest (i.e. MainGuest) and open a browser window to accept our term and conditions.
