A library that has stood on Napoleon Avenue since 1908 reopened Saturday as a dedicated early literacy center, following a $730,000 renovation that addressed water damage at the historic building. The New Orleans Public Library rededicated the space as the Children's Resource Center, marking the end of more than a year of construction at 913 Napoleon Avenue.
The former Napoleon Branch continued operating after its 1993 renaming. Deferred maintenance had compounded over the decades, and the branch closed on May 12, 2025, so the City of New Orleans Capital Projects Administration could take on the full scope of repairs, as detailed by the New Orleans Public Library.
The overhaul reached far beyond patching up the sinking wall. Crews repaired structural masonry and parapets, replaced plumbing and sewerage lines entirely, upgraded restrooms for ADA compliance, installed new plaster walls and flooring, and overhauled the HVAC ductwork, according to the library system. Water intrusion and aging infrastructure had compromised several internal structural elements before the project began.
A Building With Deep New Orleans Roots
The branch's history stretches back to philanthropist Andrew Carnegie's grant to the New Orleans Public Library, which included a Napoleon Library location. The original Carnegie Library has served the public since 1908.
The Children's Resource Center occupies the former Napoleon Library, an original Carnegie Library.
A Focus on Early Literacy
Library leadership repurposed the Napoleon Avenue site as a specialized early literacy hub focused on early childhood reading.
The reimagined space organizes its programming around five pillars the library system has established for children aged zero to five: Talk, Sing, Read, Write, and Play, aligning early play with foundational language and pre-reading skills.
The center's programming includes storytime, music, and play activities. The library also offers a partner program supporting caregivers.
Community Turnout for the Reopening
The branch marked its formal public return on Saturday with a community open house that included storytimes, early literacy crafts, interactive robot demonstrations, and a visit from New Orleans Fire Department Engine 15, according to the library system. The celebration served as the official send-off following more than a year of construction work.
The Children's Resource Center is dedicated to helping children discover books and build early literacy skills.
Beyond books and story hours, New Orleans library branches have taken on other community roles in recent years. As Hoodline reported, branches across the system serve as physical distribution hubs for paper Jazzy Passes under the city's Opportunity Pass initiative, helping get free transit access to young residents who may not have smartphones to access a digital version.
