Main Library

Programs | Contact Information | Hours | Staff

The Main Library of the Rapides Parish Library System began serving the greater Alexandria/ Pineville community in 1942 from the fourth floor of the Rapides Parish Courthouse. To accommodate the library's growing clientele, Librarian Marion Taylor and Board Chairman Frank O. Hunter oversaw construction in 1965 of a new home for the Main Library at its current location at 411 Washington Street. Today, the Main Library continues its tradition of service to the children, teens and adults of the community through a vast collection of materials including books, periodicals, video cassettes, audio cassettes, DVDs and CDs.

The Main Library provides many special services to support its customers in developing and expanding ties to the global community. The Reference Department provides access to various regional, state and national newspapers. Reference also has access to the Internet and maintains public access terminals to provide customers direct access to the WWW. Among the many computer services available at the Reference Desk are: Infotrac work stations with many full text magazine articles; Value Line Investment Service (regular and expanded editions). The Main Library also has the Louisiana Census records on microfilm from 1820 through 1930 and the The Town Talk on microfilm from 1883 through the present day.

In its continuing efforts to serve the Rapides Parish community as a whole, the Main Library houses the Loans Department, Red Carpet Service, The Bookmobile, Acquisitions and Technical Services. The Loans Department can acquire library materials for our customers from libraries across the country. Acquisitions and Technical Services oversees selection, purchasing, cataloging and delivery of library materials to the other Rapides Parish Library branches.

In order to help its young customers develop a greater love for reading, the Main Library offers storytimes on Wednesdays at 10:00 A.M.

Events

Dedication of Art by Morris Taft Thomas

On October 19th, 2009, there was a reception celebrating the dedication of the painting "Horseshoe Lesson", by internationally renowned artist Morris Taft Thomas, to the Main Library. You can watch the video of Mr. Thomas' remarks and a Question and Answer session with the audience.

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