Skip Navigation

Location Closure The Light Street Branch is closed through Tuesday, July 1 due to a facilities maintenance issue.

Announcement The Pennsylvania Avenue Branch is operating on a reduced schedule with limited services 10 am–4 pm until further notice, due to a facilities maintenance issue.

Location Closure The Central Library is closed Monday, June 30 due to a speaker event.

Location Closure The Brooklyn, Forest Park, Govans, Hamilton, Herring Run, Northwood, Reisterstown Road, and Washington Village branches are closed for facility improvements. Learn more here.

Holiday Closing All Pratt Library locations will be closed Friday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

Home  /  Locations & Hours  /  Central Library

Central Library

Closed now; Opening Tuesday @ 10:00 AM

400 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201

Map & Directions  |  Parking & Public Transit

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

×

Parking & Public Transit

Parking

Metered street parking available. Free bike parking is available in front of the building.

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
×

Holidays & Early Closings

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

New Year's Eve Tuesday, December 31, 2024 : closing at 5:00 PM
New Year's Day Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Martin Luther King Day Monday, January 20, 2025
Presidents’ Day Monday, February 17, 2025
Good Friday Friday, April 18, 2025
Memorial Day Monday, May 26, 2025
Juneteenth Thursday, June 19, 2025
Independence Day Friday, July 4, 2025
Labor Day Monday, September 1, 2025
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Monday, October 13, 2025
Veterans Day Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Thanksgiving Eve Wednesday, November 26, 2025 : closing at 5:00 PM
Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 27, 2025
Christmas Eve Wednesday, December 24, 2025 : closing at 5:00 PM
Christmas Day Thursday, December 25, 2025
New Year's Eve Wednesday, December 31, 2025 : closing at 5:00 PM
New Year's Day Thursday, January 1, 2026
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

Making Films Without a Camera TOMORROW 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Making Films Without a Camera Central Library Program Details
Program Details
The Maryland United States Colored Troops 1863-1865 TOMORROW 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
The Maryland United States Colored Troops 1863-1865 Central Library Program Details
Program Details
Workplace Readiness Workshop with Microsoft Office Wednesday – Jul 2 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Workplace Readiness Workshop with Microsoft Office Central Library Program Details
Program Details
Cuentos y Cantos; Spanish/English Preschool Storytime Wednesday – Jul 2 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Cuentos y Cantos; Spanish/English Preschool Storytime Central Library Program Details
Program Details
Wacky Wednesday at the Library! Wednesday – Jul 2 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Wacky Wednesday at the Library! 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
afm@prattlibrary.org
Best & Next Department

Best & Next Department

(410) 396‑4616
sas@prattlibrary.org
Business, Science, & Technology

Business, Science, & Technology

(410) 396‑5317
bst@prattlibrary.org
Children's Department

Children's Department

(410) 396‑5402
cdx@prattlibrary.org
Fiction & Humanities Department

Fiction & Humanities Department

(410) 396‑5484
fic@prattlibrary.org
Fine Arts & Music Department

Fine Arts & Music Department

(410) 396‑5490
far@prattlibrary.org
H. L. Mencken Room

H. L. Mencken Room

(443) 984‑2451
spc@prattlibrary.org
Job & Career Information Center

Job & Career Information Center

(443) 984‑5852
job@prattlibrary.org
Maryland Department

Maryland Department

(410) 396‑5468
mdx@prattlibrary.org
Periodicals Department

Periodicals Department

(410) 396‑5451
per@prattlibrary.org
Senator Barbara A. Mikulski Room

Senator Barbara A. Mikulski Room

(410) 396‑5430
Social Science & History Department

Social Science & History Department

(410) 396‑5320
ssh@prattlibrary.org
Special Collections

Special Collections

(443) 984‑2451
spc@prattlibrary.org
Teen Center

Teen Center

(410) 396‑5486
teen@prattlibrary.org

Features & Services

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

The Hackerman Artist & Writer in Residence Programs bring 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

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

Signe L. –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