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Visiting the Louisiana Division/City Archives & Special Collections City Archives & Special Collections New Orleans Public Library 219 Loyola Ave. New Orleans, LA 70112 504-596-2610 archivist@nolalibrary.org.
The Division collects, through purchase and gift, resources relating to the study of Louisiana and its citizens. Other areas of interest include the Mississippi River, the Gulf of Mexico, and the South. Included are books by or about Louisianians; city, regional, and state documents; manuscripts, maps, newspapers, periodicals, microfilms, photographs, slides, video tapes, postcards, and ephemera of every sort. The Genealogy Collection contains books, periodicals and microfilms with emphasis on the Southeast United States, Nova Scotia, France, and Spain.
The City Archives is the official repository of the records of New Orleans municipal government, housing records dating from 1769-present. The archives also holds the records of the Orleans Parish civil (1804-1926) and criminal (1830-1932) courts. Other Special Collections maintained by the Division are the Rare Vertical File, the Carnival Collection, the Louisiana and New Orleans Photograph Collection, the Map Collection, the Menu Collection, the Postcard Collection, the Manuscript Collection, and the Rare Book Collection.
The department is housed in the Main Branch of the New Orleans Public Library, located at 219 Loyola Avenue in the Central Business District. The library is across Duncan Plaza from City Hall.
The Archives is open:
Please check our holiday and closure schedule prior to your visit. Any closure updates will be listed on the library's website, nolalibrary.org as well.
The Main Library is accessible by public transportation, including both bus and streetcar. You can review the RTA schedules to determine the best route.
The library does not provide parking for visitors. Metered parking is available on the streets around the library. There are various paid garages and street level lots in the area.
Food and Drinks are not allowed in the City Archives & Special Collections.
The City Archives & Special Collections is generally a quiet zone. Archives staff and researchers do reserve the right to converse about materials and research as needed. Patrons may not use phones or computers without headphones in the department.
Outlets for public charging are not available. Patrons may use charging stations on the the first floor of the Main Library.
Access to four public computers is provided to Researchers. Use of the terminals is limited to research on topics relating to Louisiana, New Orleans and Genealogy. Staff may request users discontinue use of the terminals when applicable. Public computers are available on the first floor of the Main Library for general usage.
Information about requesting materials can be found on our Research Guide
Patrons are allowed to use paper, pencil, and electronic devices such as phones, pads and laptops while using the collection.
A flash drive is needed if you will be creating digital copies of microfilm.
You can complete our brief Registration Form prior to your visit.
The City Archives & Special Collections is a public repository and does not require any type of letter or credentials for patrons to use the collection.
The process for requesting items can be found on our website through the Research Guide.
Visitors do not need a New Orleans Public Library card to view items or use our databases while at the library.
Archives materials do not circulate and cannot be checked out. Materials must viewed at the Archives and are not available for review at other branches.
The Archives reserves the right to limit access to collections based on the preservation needs of the collection. Staff will attempt to provide an alternate method of access when possible.
Return to City Archives & Special Collections
CB 05/2021
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