The Louisiana Division/City Archives is located on the third floor of the Main Library. The Division collects, through purchase and gift, resources relating to the study of Louisiana and its citizens. Other areas of interest include the Mississippi River, the Gulf of Mexico, and the South. Included are books by or about Louisianians; city, regional, and state documents; manuscripts, maps, newspapers, periodicals, microfilms, photographs, slides, motion pictures, sound recordings, video tapes, postcards, and ephemera of every sort. The Genealogy Collection contains books, periodicals, microfilms, and CD-ROMs with emphasis on the Southeast United States, Nova Scotia, France, and Spain.

The City Archives is the official repository of the records of New Orleans municipal government, housing records dating from 1769-present. The archives also holds the records of the Orleans Parish civil (1804-1926) and criminal (1830-1932) courts.

Other Special Collections maintained by the Division are the Rare Vertical File, the Carnival Collection, the Louisiana and New Orleans Photograph Collection, the Map Collection, the Menu Collection, the Postcard Collection, the Manuscript Collection, and the Rare Book Collection.

Most books, state and city documents and microfilms may be used without restrictions within the reading room. Louisiana Division materials do not circulate. Original materials from the City Archives and Special Collections can be used only after completion of a registration form and the presentation of proper identification and credentials. Researchers who require access to such materials are advised to make an appointment to meet with the archivist or librarian in charge of an individual collection.

The Louisiana Division/City Archives is open for use during regular Main Library hours. Patrons interested in using original materials after 4:30 PM (or at any time on Saturday), should contact the Division ahead of time to confirm availability and to arrange for items to be retrieved.

Most of the Division's printed and microfilmed materials may be photocopied on the public copier and microfilm reader-printers located near the Louisiana reference desk. The Division may, at its discretion, refuse to allow copying of individual items when there is danger that they may be damaged in the copying process. In general, photocopies or digital scans of original or fragile items can be made only by staff. However, in most cases, the Division permits the use of digital cameras by patrons, with prior permission from the archivist. For information on requesting digital copies of photographs or other visual materials, patrons should LINK HERE or contact the archivist at (504) 596-2610 or archivist@neworleanspubliclibrary.org.

The Division offers limited, fee-based search/copy services by mail. For further information, contact the Division by phone or LINK HERE. All photocopying is subject to the restrictions of Copyright Law and of the owners of master negatives of microfilm.

Return to Louisiana Division Information

Return to Holdings and Services

rev. 1/21/2015