Mardi Gras Library Closures

ALL Mobile Public Library locations will be closed Sunday, February 15 through Tuesday, February 17, 2026, for Mardi Gras.

Branch-Specific Closures:

  • Ben May Main Library will close early at 5 p.m. on the following parade days: January 30–31 and February 5–13, 2026. 
  • Ben May Main Library and Local History & Genealogy will be closed on Saturday, February 14. 
  • Trinity Gardens Community Library will be closed Sunday, February 15 through Sunday, February 22, 2026.

Upcoming Events

Featured Events

Winter Reading 2026: Read with Benny Beanstack Challenge

Winter Reading 2026: Read with Benny Beanstack Challenge

01/01/2026 @ 8:00am to 01/31/2026 @ 5:00pm
Online/Virtual

Program Type:

Contest/Challenge, Holiday Fun

Age Group:

All Ages
Library Branch: Online/Virtual
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Contest/Challenge, Holiday Fun
Event Details:

Read with Benny!

Earn fun, Benny-themed badges for logging your reading and completing activities. Participate for a chance to win a plush Benny. So, grab a book and join Benny for an unforgettable reading adventure!

West Regional Mardi Gras Crown Contest

West Regional Mardi Gras Crown Contest

02/02/2026 @ 9:00am to 02/10/2026 @ 8:00pm
West Regional Library at West Regional Library

Program Type:

Arts & Crafts, Holiday Fun

Age Group:

Ages 0-5, Ages 6-11
Library Branch: West Regional Library
Room: West Regional Library
Age Group: Ages 0-5, Ages 6-11
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Holiday Fun
Event Details:

Stop by the West Regional library and decorate a Mardi Gras Crown! 

Mardi Calendar [SLND] Tales & Tunes LM Calendar

Tales & Tunes with Mrs. Tori (Special Mardi Gras Storytime)

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:00am
Meeting Room (Saraland) at Saraland Public Library

Program Type:

Arts & Crafts, Holiday Fun, Storytime

Age Group:

Ages 6-11
Library Branch: Saraland Public Library
Room: Meeting Room (Saraland)
Age Group: Ages 6-11
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Holiday Fun, Storytime
Event Details:

Let’s listen while moving & grooving in our fun storytime! Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Saturday Crafternoon

Saturday Crafternoon (Mardi Gras Mask Craft)

Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 3:00pm - 3:30pm
Children's Area (Theodore Oaks) at Theodore Oaks Branch Library

Program Type:

Arts & Crafts, Holiday Fun

Age Group:

Ages 6-11
Library Branch: Theodore Oaks Branch Library
Room: Children's Area (Theodore Oaks)
Age Group: Ages 6-11
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Holiday Fun
Event Details:

Laissez les bons temps rouler. Let the good times roll this Saturday, as we enjoy making a Mardi Gras Mask. This activity is limited to 12 participants. 

Mobile Literary Festival 2026

Mobile Literary Festival 2026: Great Expectations

Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 9:00am - 5:00pm
Ben May Main Library at Ben May Main Library

Program Type:

Special Events

Age Group:

Adults
Library Branch: Ben May Main Library
Room: Ben May Main Library
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Special Events
Event Details:

FREE literary festival is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Ben May Main Library in Mobile, Alabama.

Afternoon of stars March

An Afternoon of Stars with the Mobile Opera

Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Bernheim Hall (Main) at Ben May Main Library

Program Type:

Special Events

Age Group:

All Ages
Library Branch: Ben May Main Library
Room: Bernheim Hall (Main)
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Special Events
Event Details:

The Mobile Opera Presents the Cast of Mozart’s The Magic Flute

Friends of the Mobile Public Library Mobile Public Libraries

Friends of the Mobile Public Library Book Sale 2026

Friday, May 1, 2026 at 3:00pm - 7:00pm
(Book Sale Location) Greater Gulf State Fair At The Grounds

Program Type:

Booksale

Age Group:

All Ages
Library Branch: (Book Sale Location) Greater Gulf State Fair At The Grounds
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Booksale
Event Details:

The Friends of the Mobile Public Library Book Sale is back!

Friends of the Mobile Public Library Mobile Public Libraries

Friends of the Mobile Public Library Book Sale 2026

Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 9:00am - 6:00pm
(Book Sale Location) Greater Gulf State Fair At The Grounds

Program Type:

Booksale

Age Group:

All Ages
Library Branch: (Book Sale Location) Greater Gulf State Fair At The Grounds
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Booksale
Event Details:

The Friends of the Mobile Public Library Book Sale is back!

Friends of the Mobile Public Library Mobile Public Libraries

Friends of the Mobile Public Library Book Sale 2026

Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 1:00pm - 6:00pm
(Book Sale Location) Greater Gulf State Fair At The Grounds

Program Type:

Booksale

Age Group:

All Ages
Library Branch: (Book Sale Location) Greater Gulf State Fair At The Grounds
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Booksale
Event Details:

The Friends of the Mobile Public Library Book Sale is back!

Filters
Age Group
Library Branch

Ethnographic Film Screenings with an Anthropologist

2:00pm–4:00pm
Adults
Library Branch: Ben May Main Library
Room: Bernheim Hall (Main)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Movies
Event Details:

Ethnographic Film, Expert Insight, & Open Conversation.

Clue Crew

4:00pm–5:00pm
Ages 6-11
Library Branch: Ben May Main Library
Room: Youth Programing Room (Main)
Age Group: Ages 6-11
Program Type: Games
Event Details:

Do you love solving mysteries, finding hidden treasures, and cracking secret codes? 

What’s Up Wednesdays

4:00pm–5:00pm
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:

Come hang out and have some fun!

Disclaimer(s)

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy or other allergens.

Once Upon a Craft

4:00pm–5:00pm
Ages 0-5, Ages 6-11
Library Branch: Ben May Main Library
Room: Youth Programing Room (Main)
Age Group: Ages 0-5, Ages 6-11
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Storytime
Event Details:

Listen, craft, and have some fun!

Mobile Literary Festival 2026: Great Expectations

9:00am–5:00pm
Adults
Library Branch: Ben May Main Library
Room: Ben May Main Library
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Special Events
Event Details:

FREE literary festival is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Ben May Main Library in Mobile, Alabama.

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.


 

Clue Crew

4:00pm–5:00pm
Ages 6-11
Library Branch: Ben May Main Library
Room: Youth Programing Room (Main)
Age Group: Ages 6-11
Program Type: Games
Event Details:

Do you love solving mysteries, finding hidden treasures, and cracking secret codes? 

What’s Up Wednesdays

4:00pm–5:00pm
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:

Come hang out and have some fun!

Disclaimer(s)

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy or other allergens.

Once Upon a Craft

4:00pm–5:00pm
Ages 0-5, Ages 6-11
Library Branch: Ben May Main Library
Room: Youth Programing Room (Main)
Age Group: Ages 0-5, Ages 6-11
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Storytime
Event Details:

Listen, craft, and have some fun!

Mommy & Me Book Shower

10:00am–12:00pm
Adults
Library Branch: Ben May Main Library
Room: Armbrecht Briskman Meeting Room (Main)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Special Events
Event Details:

Join us for a Mommy & Me Book Shower at the Ben May Main Library! 

An Afternoon of Stars with the Mobile Opera

3:00pm–5:00pm
All Ages
Library Branch: Ben May Main Library
Room: Bernheim Hall (Main)
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Special Events
Event Details:

The Mobile Opera Presents the Cast of Mozart’s The Magic Flute

Disclaimer(s)

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy or other allergens.

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.


 

Clue Crew

4:00pm–5:00pm
Ages 6-11
Library Branch: Ben May Main Library
Room: Youth Programing Room (Main)
Age Group: Ages 6-11
Program Type: Games
Event Details:

Do you love solving mysteries, finding hidden treasures, and cracking secret codes? 

What’s Up Wednesdays

4:00pm–5:00pm
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:

Come hang out and have some fun!

Disclaimer(s)

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy or other allergens.

Once Upon a Craft

4:00pm–5:00pm
Ages 0-5, Ages 6-11
Library Branch: Ben May Main Library
Room: Youth Programing Room (Main)
Age Group: Ages 0-5, Ages 6-11
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Storytime
Event Details:

Listen, craft, and have some fun!

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.


 

Clue Crew

4:00pm–5:00pm
Ages 6-11
Library Branch: Ben May Main Library
Room: Youth Programing Room (Main)
Age Group: Ages 6-11
Program Type: Games
Event Details:

Do you love solving mysteries, finding hidden treasures, and cracking secret codes? 

What’s Up Wednesdays

4:00pm–5:00pm
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:

Come hang out and have some fun!

Disclaimer(s)

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy or other allergens.

Once Upon a Craft

4:00pm–5:00pm
Ages 0-5, Ages 6-11
Library Branch: Ben May Main Library
Room: Youth Programing Room (Main)
Age Group: Ages 0-5, Ages 6-11
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Storytime
Event Details:

Listen, craft, and have some fun!

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.


 

Clue Crew

4:00pm–5:00pm
Ages 6-11
Library Branch: Ben May Main Library
Room: Youth Programing Room (Main)
Age Group: Ages 6-11
Program Type: Games
Event Details:

Do you love solving mysteries, finding hidden treasures, and cracking secret codes? 

What’s Up Wednesdays

4:00pm–5:00pm
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:

Come hang out and have some fun!

Disclaimer(s)

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy or other allergens.

Once Upon a Craft

4:00pm–5:00pm
Ages 0-5, Ages 6-11
Library Branch: Ben May Main Library
Room: Youth Programing Room (Main)
Age Group: Ages 0-5, Ages 6-11
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Storytime
Event Details:

Listen, craft, and have some fun!

Easter

All Day
Closing
Branches:
Ben May Main Library, Grand Bay Library, Local History & Genealogy, Monte L. Moorer/Spring Hill Branch Library, Parkway Branch Library, Saraland Public Library, Semmes Regional Library, Theodore Oaks Branch Library, Trinity Gardens Community Library, Virginia Dillard Smith/Toulminville Branch Library, West Regional Library, Bookmobile & Outreach, Online/Virtual
Description:
All Mobile Public Library locations will be closed on Sunday, April 5, 2026.