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Location Closure The Reisterstown Road branch is closed for building repairs through mid-November. The Forest Park Branch is closed for renovations. The Washington Village Branch is closed until further notice for facility maintenance.

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Central Library

Open now; Closing at 5:00 PM

400 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201

Map & Directions  |  Parking & Public Transit

phone: (410) 396‑5430
email: info@prattlibrary.org

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Parking & Public Transit

Parking

Metered street parking available.

Bus

51, 94, Blue, Green, Pink, Silver

Charm City Circulator

Purple - Stops 305 (N. Charles and Pleasant St.) or 306 (N. Charles and Hamilton St.)

See the Circulator's website for other routes, schedules and information.

Light Rail

Centre Street, Lexington Market

Metro Subway

Charles Center, Lexington Market

For more public transportation information, visit the Maryland Transit Administration.

Day Opens   Closes
Monday 10:00 AM — 8:00 PM
Tuesday 10:00 AM — 8:00 PM
Wednesday 10:00 AM — 8:00 PM
Thursday 10:00 AM — 8:00 PM
Friday 10:00 AM — 5:00 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM — 5:00 PM
Sunday CLOSED
Holiday Closing Schedule
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Holidays & Early Closings

All Pratt Library locations will be closed on the following days:

Christmas Eve Saturday, December 24, 2022
Christmas Day (Observed) Monday, December 26, 2022
New Year's Eve Saturday, December 31, 2022
New Year's Day (Observed) Monday, January 2, 2023
Martin Luther King Day Monday, January 16, 2023
Presidents’ Day Monday, February 20, 2023
Good Friday Friday, April 7, 2023
Staff Training Day Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Memorial Day Monday, May 29, 2023
Juneteenth Monday, June 19, 2023
Independence Day Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Labor Day Monday, September 4, 2023
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Monday, October 9, 2023
Veteran's Day (Observed) Friday, November 10, 2023
Thanksgiving Eve Wednesday, November 22, 2023 : closing at 5:00 PM
Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 23, 2023
Christmas Day Monday, December 25, 2023
Central Library
Central Hall with natural light from above
Central Library interior showing two levels with bookshelves, tables and chairs, and awindow
Central Library - African American Department reading room with bookshelves, wooden chairs, and glass-topped wooden tables
Central Library Teen Center reading room with tables and chairs, books, checkered floors and decorative ceiling
Wheeler Auditorium at Central Library - chairs view from the stage

The Central Library is located in the heart of Mount Vernon. With more than half a million visitors each year, the state-of-the-art renovations to the Central Library complement Pratt's significant print collection with the latest technologies, welcoming a vibrant future while preserving a cherished historic landmark.

The Central Library was designated the Maryland State Library Research Center (SLRC) by the General Assembly in 1971. This designation and accompanying State support allow all Maryland citizens to have access to a public library whose resources are unparalleled in the State.

Get a behind the scenes look and at the Library's collections, and learn about the history of the Central Library building with a free tour. Check the tour schedule for details.

Upcoming Events

Canceled: Fitness to Fashion 101 With Sir Prentiss Tuesday – Oct 3 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Canceled: Fitness to Fashion 101 With Sir Prentiss Central Library Program Details
Program Details
STEAM Wednesdays Wednesday – Oct 4 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
STEAM Wednesdays Central Library Program Details
Program Details
Martial Fusion Bootcamp Wednesday – Oct 4 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Martial Fusion Bootcamp Central Library Program Details
Program Details
Jonathan Lethem: "Brooklyn Crime Novel" Wednesday – Oct 4 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Jonathan Lethem: "Brooklyn Crime Novel" Central Library Program Details
Program Details
Doors Open Baltimore 10th Anniversary Kick-Off with Jessica Henkin Thursday – Oct 5 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Doors Open Baltimore 10th Anniversary Kick-Off with… Central Library Program Details
Program Details
View All Central Events

View All Pratt Library Events

Departments & Collections

African American Department

African American Department

(410) 361‑9287
Best & Next Department

Best & Next Department

(410) 396‑4616
Business, Science & Technology

Business, Science & Technology

(410) 396‑5317
Children's Department

Children's Department

(410) 396‑5402
Fiction & Humanities Department

Fiction & Humanities Department

(410) 396‑5484
Fine Arts & Music Department

Fine Arts & Music Department

(410) 396‑5490
H. L. Mencken Room

H. L. Mencken Room

(410) 396‑5547
Information Services Department

Information Services Department

(410) 396‑5430
Job & Career Information Center

Job & Career Information Center

(410) 396‑5317
Maryland Department

Maryland Department

(410) 396‑5468
Periodicals Department

Periodicals Department

(410) 396‑5451
Senator Barbara A. Mikulski Room

Senator Barbara A. Mikulski Room

(410) 396‑5430
Social Science & History Department

Social Science & History Department

(410) 396‑5320
Special Collections

Special Collections

(443) 984‑2451
Teen Center

Teen Center

(410) 396‑5486

Features & Services

  1. Sidewalk Service
  2. State Library Resource Center
  3. ADA/handicap accessible
  4. Free Wi-Fi
  5. Computers for public use
  6. Photocopier and printing services
  7. Children and Teen sections
  8. Job and Career assistance
  9. Events and programs for all ages
  10. Social Worker in the Library
  11. Lawyer in the Library
  12. Self check-out
Pratt Artist in Residence

The Enoch Pratt Free Library Artist in Residence Program brings creatives from around Baltimore to share and create at the Pratt Library.

Learn More
Community & Meeting Rooms

Reserve a room at the Central Library for your next meeting or community event.

Learn More

“I've loved the Pratt and especially Central since I was 6 years old. Central has history in its stunning architecture.”

Signe L. –Central Library

“What an awesome building! The folks working there are friendly and knowledgeable.”

John S. —Central Library

“It's a lovely facility with dedicated staff, great resources, and it's easy to use.”

Casey W.

“I love the Central Library! The building is beautiful and the staff are always courteous and helpful.”

Patricia B. – Central Library

“I love the Library! The staff are wonderful, the space is gorgeous, the selection is awesome. I also love the speakers who visit!”

Tovah C. — Central Library