Ben May Main Library

Ben May Main Library building front

Contact Information

Hours & Location

Ben May Main Library
701 Government Street
Mobile, AL 36602

Library Hours
Monday - Thursday: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sun: Closed*

*Closed on Sundays during summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day). Open Sundays from 1 - 5 p.m. beginning Labor Day through Memorial Day Weekend 

Curbside Pickup
Mon - Sat: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
See Holiday Closings

Upcoming Events

This event is in the "Ages 6-11" group

Thrilling Thursdays at Main

1:00pm–2:00pm
Ages 6-11
Library Branch: Ben May Main Library
Room: Youth Programing Room (Main)
Age Group: Ages 6-11
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Games
Event Details:

Let’s enjoy Thursdays with fun and exciting activities!

This event is in the "All Ages" group

The Unravellers Club

3:30pm–4:30pm
All Ages
Library Branch: Ben May Main Library
Room: Emma Cortez Harris Conference Room (Main)
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Arts & Crafts

Fancy dipping your toes into the world of knitting or crocheting?

Look no further than The Unravellers Club! Join us to swap tips, get skilled, and spread the love of all things knit and crochet. Whether you're just beginning or an expert, all are welcome to join!

Registration is recommended! To register, please call 251-340-1458 or email at wjohnson@mplonline.org.

This event is in the "Adults" group
Library Branch: Ben May Main Library
Room: Armbrecht Briskman Meeting Room (Main)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Genealogy/History
Event Details:

Exploring Tribal Genealogy in the Deep South.

This event is in the "Ages 0-5" group

Read & Play Storytime

10:00am–10:45am
Ages 0-5
Library Branch: Ben May Main Library
Room: Youth Programing Room (Main)
Age Group: Ages 0-5
Program Type: Storytime
Event Details:

Join us in the youth programming room to enjoy storytime with books, songs, fingerplays, and more!

Stimulate your baby’s developing senses and help them build listening and memory skills that can help your baby grow up to be a reader. Enjoy meeting other parents and their little ones and making new friends. This program is best suited for ages 0-3.

 

For more information, please call 251-340-1507 or email mainyou@mplonline.org.


 

This event is in the "Ages 0-5" group

Sensory Time with Tiny Touches

1:00pm–2:00pm
Ages 0-5
Library Branch: Ben May Main Library
Room: Youth Programing Room (Main)
Age Group: Ages 0-5
Program Type: Games

Exploring Sensory Experiences with Gentle Touches!

Join us in the Youth Programming Room for the perfect opportunity for you, your family, and your friends to enjoy little maker sessions, sensory-friendly activities, and more. You don’t want to miss it! 

This program is best suited for ages 3-5 and uses fun, engaging activities for hidden learning! Wear your play clothes – it might get messy! 

For more information, call 251-340-1325 or email Main's Youth Desk at mainyou@mplonline.org

Contacts

Services

3D cube icon

These printers can be used to make three-dimensional objects using plastic filament. The 3D printing service is available to all ages.

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Meeting Room icon

The beautiful theater seats approximately 230 people and can be reserved for public use. Including: Stage, Balcony Area, Projection system, Sound system with mics, Piano

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Circle user icon

A few locations have button makers available for public use. The finished buttons are 2.25" in diameter and cost 25¢ per button.

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Children icon

The rooms house all the children's fiction books, non-fiction books, movies, TV shows, educational videos, board books and reference books.

Palette icon

Our exhibit spaces display beautiful art and educational panels regularly. Contact a location if you would like to collaborate with the library on an exhibit.

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Fax icon

Fax services available at every library location. Sending a fax to local, long distance and toll-free numbers is $1 per page. Cover pages are free.

Book icon

Get online access to Candid Community's grant information databases at all Mobile Public Library locations.

Handshake icon

Items not owned by the Mobile Public Library, or not available in the needed format, may be requested through Interlibrary Loan (ILL).

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Shield icon

Bring your own supplies or pay for the supplies we have on hand. Machines are free to use. Printing costs of the items to laminate not included. Each person is limited to 25 items a month.

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Stamp icon

Many Mobile Public Library locations have staff members available (by appointment) to notarize your important documents. Contact your chosen location to see if or when they will be available.

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Printing & Copying icon

Printers & copiers are available for public use at every location. Black and white printing/copying is $.10 per page. Color printing/copying is $.50 per page.

Proctoring icon

We offer free proctoring by librarians and reference staff at some of our library locations. Please contact the reference staff in advance to schedule a time convenient for you.

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Public Computers icon

Computers available for public use at every location. Microsoft Office suite including Word, Excel, Access, Publisher and PowerPoint. Educational games for kids. Adobe Reader.

Dragon icon

These rooms are dedicated to children's programs, especially Storytimes.

Public Computers icon

Public computers are available all over the library, but the largest number are in the Technology Center.

Dungeon icon

Find all the young adult books, paperbacks, video games, magazines and comic books in this area. Also in this room are computers just for teens.

Wi-Fi icon

Wi-Fi is available for public use at every location, including on the Bookmobile. Connect to 'Library Name'Guest (i.e. MainGuest) and open a browser window to accept our term and conditions.