River Center Branch Library

250 North Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Library Hours

Sunday 2pm - 6pm
Monday 9am - 8pm
Tuesday 9am - 8pm
Wednesday 9am - 8pm
Thursday 9am - 8pm
Friday 9am - 6pm
Saturday 9am - 6pm
Phone Numbers
  • Circulation: (225) 389-4967
  • Reference: (225) 389-4964
  • Children's Services: (225) 389-4959
  • Teen Services: (225) 389-4960
  • Branch Manager, Allison Cooper: (225) 389-8751

Facilities

48,490 square feet over four floors

Opened: 2020

The River Center Branch Library, constructed on the site of the original 1980 branch, contains a dedicated floor for Children's Services, a Teen Room, the Electronic Arts Teen Technology Lab, maker space, digital media studio, a large meeting room, rooftop terrace, three conference rooms, and a variety of collaborative study/work rooms. The River Center Branch Library was awarded the AIA-BR Rose Award and was selected as one of American Libraries' Design Showcase Libraries.

The River Center Branch Library houses the Foundation Center Grants Collection with classes and assistance in grants research offered by appointment.The Foundation Center Cooperating Collection consists of publications and supplementary materials providing information on private, community and corporate foundations. Access to Foundation Directory Online, Grants to Individuals Online and iWave is available. The collection includes directories, periodicals, and annual reports. Guides to government funding are also available for searching. Grant seekers can use this collection at the River Center Branch. To research for funding opportunities or to train on use of the online directories, schedule an appointment with the Grants Librarian at (225) 389-4964.

Free wireless Internet access is available at this branch.

Points of Interest

The new River Center Branch Library is situated next to Bernardo de Galvez Plaza which holds 2 bronze sculptures by the late Frank Hayden. The two sculptures are (1) a large relief which incorporates the words "What mortal or God comes here in his rage, to trouble the gentle peace of my happy banks" and (2) a giant bust of Oliver Pollock.

In the greater River Center Plaza area there are also four works by Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović: (1) Migrating People—"A relief of human figures in proper right profile, in repeating and overlapping form;" (2) Woman Playing the Cello; (3) Woman Playing the Violin; and (4) Pieta—"a stylized figure of the Virgin Mary."

East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council District
District 10
Architectural Firm
WHLC Architecture | Schwartz/Silver (2020)

Map

The River Center Branch Library is located at the corner of North Boulevard and St. Louis Street,
adjacent to Galvez Plaza and the North Boulevard Town Square.

Tour the new River Center Branch Library!


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