A beloved Uptown library branch — and one of the oldest in the city — has temporarily closed its doors as it undergoes a significant transformation aimed at bolstering early childhood education in New Orleans.
Located at the corner of Napoleon Avenue and Magazine Street, the Children’s Resource Center Library officially closed for major renovations that will reimagine the historic building as a center for early literacy. The work, expected to be completed by summer 2026, will include extensive interior and exterior repairs: new plaster walls and flooring, restored masonry, and fixes to gutters and water damage.
The project comes with a $730,000 price tag, funded through bonds and the New Orleans Public Library’s dedicated millage, according to The Times-Picayune. Once completed, the library will continue to serve all ages but will sharpen its focus on young children and early reading development.
“The CRC is synonymous with children’s and family activities; we knew that we wanted to keep the focus on young children in this reimagined space,” said Heather Riley, the library system’s director of public services, in a statement.
That renewed focus comes amid persistent concerns about literacy levels in Louisiana. Riley cited data from the Louisiana Department of Education showing that roughly 70 percent of kindergarteners statewide were not reading at grade level as recently as 2023.
“This center is a continuation of our efforts and a definite mark on where we stand — that early literacy is a priority and how dedicated we are to serving our little ones,” she said.
The Children’s Resource Center Library opened on January 31, 1908, making it the second-oldest branch in the New Orleans Public Library system. Only the Cita Dennis Hubbell Library in Algiers Point, which opened just weeks earlier in December 1907, is older. Both libraries were funded by grants from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and have served generations of New Orleanians.
In 1979, the Napoleon Avenue location was designated a historic landmark, and in 1993, it was renamed the Children’s Resource Center to reflect its growing focus on youth programming. Though tailored for young readers, the branch has long served patrons of all ages with books, programming, and resources.
The renovation was highlighted by the Preservation Resource Center, which continues to spotlight efforts to preserve the city’s historic architecture while adapting it for modern community needs.
The closure marks a temporary pause for a community cornerstone, but officials say the result will be a revitalized space dedicated to giving children in New Orleans a stronger start one story at a time.
