About MPL

About McAllen Public Library

McAllen Public Library (MPL) includes Main Library, Lark Branch Library, and Palm View Branch Library. Together, the three locations provide access to library materials, public computers, study spaces, digital resources, literacy programs, and community events across McAllen.

From storytimes and after-school activities to workshops, exhibits, and large-scale festivals, MPL continues to serve as a gathering place for residents throughout the city.

Lark Branch Library

Lark Entrance

2601 Lark Ave.
McAllen, TX 78504
(p) 956.681.3100

Hours
Mon-Thu: 9AM-9PM
Fri-Sat: 9AM-6PM
Sun: CLOSED

Main Library

Street View of Main Library

4001 N. 23rd St.
McAllen, TX 78504
(p) 956.681.3000

Hours
Mon-Thu: 9AM- 9PM
Fri-Sat: 9AM-6PM
Sun: 1PM-9PM

Palm View Branch Library

PV Front

3401 Jordan Rd. W.
McAllen, TX 78503
(p) 956.681.3110

Hours
Mon-Thu: 9AM-9PM
Fri-Sat: 9AM-6PM
Sun: CLOSED

How MPL Has Grown

What began as a small public library has grown into a three-branch library system serving one of the largest communities in South Texas. Over the years, MPL has continued expanding its collections, public programs, technology services, and community spaces to meet the needs of a growing city.

In 2011, the Main Library moved into its current location, transforming a former retail building into one of the most recognized library spaces in Texas. To learn more about MPL's history, visit: MPL History.

About Main Library

Take a virtual tour of Main Library and explore the space for yourself.

After serving the community for more than 60 years at its downtown location at 601 N. Main St., the former Main Library closed on November 23, 2011. McAllen Public Library later reopened at its current location at 4001 N. 23rd St. on December 10, 2011, beginning a new chapter for the library system.

Now an award-winning public library, the new McAllen Public Library is 123,000 square feet and may very well be the largest single floor public library in the nation. The next largest is the Johnson County Central Resource Library in Overland Park, Kansas, at 90,547 square feet.

Past vs. Present

Consider this by-the-numbers comparison of the old and present Main Library:

Old Main Library	Present Main Library
Opened: 1950	Opened: December 10, 2011
Size: 40,000 square feet	Size: 123,000 square feet
Collection Count: 330,394 items	Collection Count at Opening: 355,794 items
Floors: 3	Floors: 1
Public Meeting Rooms: 2	Public Meeting Spaces: 16
Public Study Rooms: 3	Public Study Rooms: 14
Public Computer Lab: 29	Public Computer Lab: 101
	Children's Computer Lab: 16
	Teen's Computer Lab: 12
	Reference Computer Area: 2
Special Features: ground floor atrium, patio, used book store	Special Interior Features: teen area, cafe, auditorium, quiet reading room, self-check out units, art gallery, electronic classrooms, meeting rooms with audiovisual services,expanded children's area, used book store, automated materials handling system, themed wood ceiling and other special interior design features
	Special Exterior Features: extensive landscaping, Dewey Learning Trail, front mall area with one water feature, entrancecanopy, drive-up book drop, exterior children's area, over 350 parking spaces.

Old Main Library

Present Main Library

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