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    Robert E. Smith Library

    3.7 (10 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Robert E. Smith Library Photos

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    Lizz F.

    Doesn't open until 10am. Beautiful, clean, modern building with high ceilings! There's a really cute children's center with a great collection of children's books and a row of computers on kid-sized tables with kid-sized chairs. The room is decorated with large stuffed animals. Downstairs in the main library is a wide variety of DVDs and audio CDs. Upstairs is home to two rows of computers complete with huge over-ear headphones and the majority of the library's books. There are plenty of tables and chairs here for studying, but we were informed that eating and drinking are not permitted in the library. My only complaint would be the lack of nearby parking. There are four spots of parallel parking in front of the library that I'm pretty sure were taken by the librarians (my study group and I were here before it opened and I don't think anyone else would park in front of the library...). There are two parallel spots in front of the Chase next door. Then the majority of the parking is in the parking lot in the neutral ground on Harrison (about a block from the library). It was a little annoying to discover this and have to go around the block a few times to figure out where I could and could not park (passenger zones, ugh!). I really liked this library, and I hope the one in Algiers is just a nice to visit!

    Kids area!

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    9 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    Ask the Community - Robert E. Smith Library

    Williams Research Center - "Money, Money, Money" an exhibit on US Currency (1718-1864) and New Orleans unique position as a world exchange.

    Williams Research Center

    5.0(9 reviews)
    4.3 miFrench Quarter

    Came in for a research consultation. Got at least a half dozen ideas but really found something we…read morehad totally missed. Now, to research this ancestor in more depth with this new information. Thank you so much!

    I. WHERE CAN I RESEARCH MY PROPERTY'S HISTORY? A. If the…read moreproperty is in the French Quarter the "HNOC" Historic New Orleans Collection's subsidiary, the Williams Research Center "WRC", has the most complete records. Go online to glean sources: (http://www.hnoc.org/collections/research_subjects.htm) B. If outside the Quarter go to the NO Public Library's property site:(http://www.neworleanspubliclibrary.org/~nopl/house2/intro.htm) II. WHERE CAN I RESEARCH MY CREOLE GENEALOGY? A. NO Public Library's site will give you basic birth and death records. B. WRC has more arcane information: i. Archdiocesan Records of religious rites ii. Civil War soldiers' records iii. French, British, Cuban and Spanish "in-country" directories of emigration (unfortunately you Romans and Prussians were too upheaveled!) iv. Cemetery Plot chronicles and marble photos if available v. Municipal Recorda, etc. III. HNOC IS THE PRIMARY ARCHIVE OF NEW ORLEANS CULTURE A. What you should know: i. WRC library is by appointment (504) 598-7171 ii. It's not a lending library, research only; but you can make copies iii. Go online (hnoc.org) to view the card catalog of all items iv. Holdings are primarily documents. However, it works collegially with local museums and repositories. Ask the WRC Library desk for the location of all pertinent resources.

    Photos
    Williams Research Center - THE READING LIBRARY - originally the city's municipal court is absolutely stunning: from mahogany bookcases to sumptuous carpets

    THE READING LIBRARY - originally the city's municipal court is absolutely stunning: from mahogany bookcases to sumptuous carpets

    Williams Research Center - The plaque out in front of the building.

    The plaque out in front of the building.

    Williams Research Center - Current exhibit 2015

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    Current exhibit 2015

    Howard-Tilton Memorial Library - selley study commons (third floor)

    Howard-Tilton Memorial Library

    3.4(5 reviews)
    4.6 miAudubon

    This place is a gorgeous bit of mid century architecture. I love libraries, plain and simple but I…read morego out of my way to spend time here. As far as space usability, this place is on par with other universities. The book stacks are less. The technology is more present and the space is more welcoming of an evolving culture. There are spaces for gathering. Plenty of study rooms. The first floor is for conversations, traffic, groups and snacks at the coffee bar. It's a home away from home for graduate students. So yeah, we like it pretty well.

    I'll admit, with the volume of material that a library has, it is understandable for a library to…read morebe a bit of a labyrinth, but navigation Howard Tilton for that molding book on Easter Island or African Diaspora is too much of an adventure for my taste. Their catalog is straightforward enough, but the book rows are all over the place and sometimes difficult to follow. Not to mention the fact that the majority of the stacks are in low-ceiling, basement like spaces, giving one the sense that they are in the opening ghost scene from "Ghostbusters." Also, for a library building, Howard Tilton is rather noisy. Of course, people will chitchat as they do, but the HVAC units are constantly roaring and the staircases echo like anything. If you get a couch seat on the third floor while the sun is still up, then I'll admit, it makes for a lovely reading space. Also... thank the good lord they put a PJ's coffee inside!

    Photos
    Howard-Tilton Memorial Library - Learning commons (first floor)

    Learning commons (first floor)

    Howard-Tilton Memorial Library
    Howard-Tilton Memorial Library - Celebration time!

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    Celebration time!

    Robert E. Smith Library - libraries - Updated May 2026

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