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Mid-City library branch opens doors at Canal Street location

The relocation process took three months and $200,000

New Orleans Mid-City Library has moved into its new home, and its a big one, too.

On December 13, Mayor Mitch Landrieu officially cut the ribbon at the 4140 Canal Street address. The relocation, according to the Office of the Mayor, cost $200,000.

The new facility is the Automotive Life Insurance Building, which was originally built in 1963 and designed by Curtis & Davis Architects. The building is two stories and has over 900 square feet of operating space.

The New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission added the 4140 Canal Street building to the historic registry in 2010.

“The Mid-City Library has an interesting story in our City’s history being housed in a number of locations across New Orleans,” Mayor Landrieu said in a prepared statement.

“Regardless of its physical structure, the experiences and lessons that it creates allows it to remain a community staple, and we are excited to celebrate this relocation. ”

The new Mid-City location will have an expanded children’s room, a large community meeting area, and a Spanish-language section, according to the branch.

New Orleans Public Library Executive Director Charles Brown is elated to see the new Mid-City library location.

“Having a public library in such a beautiful, classic mid-20th century building, in such a highly visible location on Canal Street is a wonderful statement to the City's commitment to its libraries which provide the community with access to educational and entertainment resources,” Brown said in a press release.

The new library holds over 14,000 books, audiobooks, DVSs and Cd’s available.

The Mid-City library opened in 2007 on North Carrolton avenue. In 2011 it moved to the American Can Company. was stationed at the American Can Company since 2010.