EBRPL.com, East Baton Rouge Parish Library

Library History and Facts

About us

The East Baton Rouge Parish Library (EBRPL) was established in 1939 with a collection of second-hand donated books. During its first three years, the library established eight additional library branches to service the Baton Rouge area.

Today, EBRPL is comprised of a Main Library and 13 community or regional branch libraries, and several bookmobiles. With a staff of more than 540 employees, the Library is open a cumulative total of 958 hours weekly. Additional outreach service is provided on a regular basis to area schools, day care centers, retirement centers, and various community centers.

The Library’s collection numbers almost 2 million items. In 2019, our 264,732 registered borrowers made 2,292,168 visits to local libraries, checked out 3,105,034 items, and received assistance with 970,069 reference inquiries. 397,214 people attended a total of 9,646 library programs, and 133,881 patrons attended community meetings in Library meeting rooms.

EBRPL is the recipient of numerous national and state awards including the Modisette Award for Excellence from the Louisiana Library Association and the President’s Coming Up Taller Award. Recently, the Library received a Starred Ranking from Library Journal for the eighth consecutive year.

Your East Baton Rouge Parish Library is almost entirely funded by a 10-year, dedicated property tax since 1986. Proceeds from this tax fund ALL library operations including books and non-print material, technology, staff, maintenance and utilities, capital improvements and all other operations. The tax has been funded at 11.1 mils for the past 20 years; it was again renewed by the voters at 11.1 mils on October 24, 2015.

Leadership

EBRPL is a governmental entity of the consolidated government of the City of Baton Rouge and the Parish of East Baton Rouge. The library system, which has been in existence since 1939, operates under the control of the City/Parish government and the direction of the Library Board of Control, a seven-person board appointed by the Metropolitan Council.

The Library Director oversees the operations of the library system and is appointed by the Library Board of Control. Kristen Edson is serving as the Interim Library Director. The Assistant Director of Administrative Services, Mary H. Stein and the Assistant Director of Branch Services, Patricia Husband, work with the Library Business Manager, seven Division Heads and thirteen Branch Managers to plan and implement programs and services to all library populations. In addition, they are responsible for selecting, processing and administering all resources, and maintaining and operating all library facilities.

Since successful passage of its first dedicated property tax in 1986, the Library has completed two stages of a comprehensive building program and dramatically increased services and resources for residents throughout the parish. All branches are open seven days per week to provide reference and information, print and non-print resources, free programs, classes, and workshops, and computers with Internet access for the public. The Digital Library is available 24/7 via remote access.

Mission

The East Baton Rouge Parish Library is a community service organization that connects our citizens with information, resources, materials, technology, and experiences in order to make a positive difference in their lives.

Vision

The Library contributes to the quality of life, enjoyment, enlightenment, and economic vitality of our diverse and dynamic community.

Overall Usage Indicators:2010-2022

Strategic Plan 2014-2019

Summary of the Strategic Plan 2014-2019

Strategic Plan Update 2022-2024

East Baton Rouge Parish Library
7711 Goodwood Blvd
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
(225) 231-3750