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Central Library

Closed now; Opening Wednesday @ 10:00 AM

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
National Library Workers 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

TOMORROW 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
After High School: Mapping Out a Life of Success Central Library Program Details
Program Details
TOMORROW 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Art Tings Central Library Program Details
Program Details
TOMORROW 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Writers LIVE! Theresa Runstedtler Central Library Program Details
Program Details
Thursday – Mar 23 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Writers LIVE! Rachel Jamison Webster Central Library Program Details
Program Details
Saturday – Mar 25 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Imagination Celebration Kick Off Event Central Library Program Details
Program Details
View All Central Events

View All Pratt Library Events

Departments & Collections

African American Department

(410) 361‑9287

Best & Next Department

(410) 396‑4616

Business, Science & Technology

(410) 396‑5317

Children's Department

(410) 396‑5402

Fiction & Humanities Department

(410) 396‑5484

Fine Arts & Music Department

(410) 396‑5490

H. L. Mencken Room

(410) 396‑5547

Information Services Department

(410) 396‑5430

Job & Career Information Center

(410) 396‑5317

Maryland Department

(410) 396‑5468

Periodicals Department

(410) 396‑5451

Senator Barbara A. Mikulski Room

(410) 396‑5430

Social Science & History Department

(410) 396‑5320

Special Collections

(443) 984‑2451

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

Patricia B. – Central Library

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

Casey W.

“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

“I love the atmosphere at the Central Library, and the service is great too. They've done a great job with COVID-19 protocol.”

Donna C. –⁠Central Library