The Friends of the New Orleans Public Library’s Really, REALLY Big Book Sale is happening Saturday (Nov. 12) at the Latter Library. Held on the front porch of the historic building on St. Charles Avenue, the Really, REALLY Big Book Sale is the signature fundraiser of Friends of New Orleans Public Library. Sales of used books fund important New Orleans Public Library programs such as the Summer Fun Reading program, adult literacy classes and much more.
After a long closure, then a reopening, then again closing and reopening, the ribbon was officially cut last week on the renovated and fully accessible Nix Library on South Carrollton Avenue. The modifications for American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance include the addition of a wheelchair lift at the building entrance and construction of a new restroom, at a total cost of $591,000. Other repairs included work on the roof and the drainage system. “We certainly encountered a few setbacks and unexpected challenges,” said Emily Painton, executive director of the New Orleans Public Library. “The Carrollton community has been so patient and deserves a library that is open to all people.
Patrons of the star-crossed Nix Library can use the one-room branch on South Carrollton Avenue again. It reopened Monday (Aug. 22) after drain pipe repairs, after a brief reopening following 17 months of renovations to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act plus repairs to the roof and interior. The small library offers a wide collection of books, music and movies and has been an important part of the Carrollton neighborhood for almost a century. Nix Library
1401 S. Carrollton Ave.
Carrollton area readers rejoiced when Nix Library reopened July 19 after nearly a year and a half of renovations and repairs. Then it closed again last week, after a drain pipe in the basement had cracked. “It will remain closed until the repair can be made,” said library spokesperson Jane LeGros. “We have secured a vendor to repair the pipe, so hopefully we will be able to reopen soon.” When it reopened in July after 17 months, the 92-year-old building had been thoroughly cleaned and sported upgrades for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
It’s been a long wait, but the Carrollton neighborhood has its library back. Nix Library on South Carrollton Avenue reopened Tuesday (July 19) after 17 months. The tiny branch library was shuttered in February 2021 for American Disabilities Act upgrades, including the installation of an ADA-compliant wheelchair lift and improvements to make the public bathrooms more accessible. During the ADA renovations, workers found other “maintenance challenges” in the 92-year-old building, a library spokesperson told Uptown Messenger in March. The work included roofing and internal repairs.
Beginning today (May 17), the New Orleans Public Library will expand services, including allowing patrons to come into library buildings without making appointments. Nix Library at 1401 S. Carrollton Avenue remains closed for renovations to bring the building into compliance with the American with Disability Act. It’s expected to reopen this summer. Other Uptown libraries will be open for walk-in service, with tables and chairs available. The book drops will also be open.
On Saturday (March 27), the Friends of the New Orleans Public Library will host an outdoor “Really, Really Old Book Sale” at the Carriage House located behind Milton H. Latter Library at 5120 St Charles Ave. This outdoor sale will feature hundreds of out-of-print, signed, first editions, rare, antiquarian books and fond treasures from your childhood. Prices start at $1, and all proceeds will go toward the 2021 Summer Fun and Reading Program at the New Orleans Public Library. “The public library needs community support now more than ever before,” FNOPL Executive Director Dixon Stetler said. “Through fundraisers like this one, we can fund important library programs, and also provide access to high quality reading materials that are affordable to all.”
The Friends of the New Orleans Public Library raises money from the books sales year-round to underwrite critical library programming, including the annual Summer Reading Program, Black History Month Programming and the Every Child Ready to Read Program.
Nix Library will temporarily close to the public for facilities upgrades to bring the building to American Disabilities Act standards, starting Monday (Feb. 22).
The project includes the installation of an ADA-compliant wheelchair lift and an accessible public bathroom.
Located on South Carrollton Avenue, Nix Library has been a part of the New Orleans Public Library since 1930. Executive Director and City Librarian Gabriel Morley said the renovations will make Nix better equipped to serve the entire community.
“The Nix Library renovations will ensure that this community treasure truly is for everyone,” Morley said. “We’re thrilled to be revamping one of our oldest library locations in a way that will allow us to increase access and continue to fulfill our mission to transform lives, enrich neighborhoods and preserve history for years to come.”
Construction for the project will begin March 1, and Nix Library will be closed for the duration of these renovations and will reopen following their completion.
Items may not be returned to Nix Library during its closure, but library users can return items checked out from Nix Library to any other library location.
This project is expected to be completed in Summer 2021. A reopening date will be determined when renovations are complete.
For the duration of the closure, Nix patrons can use any of the other 14 library locations.
Library services within the Mahalia Jackson Learning Center end today, Sept. 26, in preparation for a move to the a new larger location in the Allie Mae Williams Multi Service Center at 2020 Jackson Ave. Until the new location opens this fall, there will be three-day-a-week library service outside of the new location beginning Monday, Oct. 7. The pop-up library will be open Mondays and Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Pop-up library services will include books and other materials for checkout, children’s crafts and toys, weekly storytimes every Saturday at 10:30 a.m., and free WiFi access.
Central City Library is moving to a new, larger location this fall: the Allie Mae Williams Multi-Service Center at 2020 Jackson Ave., the New Orleans Public Library announced. Library services within the Mahalia Jackson Learning Center will end Thursday, Sept. 26. From Sept. 26 until the new location opens, there will be three-day-a-week library service outside of the new location.
