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J. Erik Jonsson Central Library

J. Erik Jonsson Central Library | 1515 Young Street | Dallas, TX 75201
askalibrarian@dallaslibrary.org
Switchboard: 214-670-1400 | Reference: 214-670-1700

About

Central Library

The first Dallas Public Library opened downtown in 1901 with help from Andrew Carnegie. The current facility, named in honor of former mayor J. Erik Jonsson, opened in 1982 and features eight stories. Major highlights include the Declaration of Indepedence (an original print from July 4, 1776) and Shakespeare's First Folio (compiled in 1623).

At a glance: quick guide (pdf) | detailed subject guide (pdf)

Guide to the Central Library

1st floor
Downtown Branch (1st floor)
  • New and Featured: Fiction and Non-Fiction
  • DVDs, Audiobooks, & CDs
  • Sports Collection (Books and DVDs)
  • Teen Section
  • ...see more like this
Art Highlights
  • Barbara Hepworth's Square Form with Circles
  • Harry Bertoia's Textured Screen
  • ...see complete list
2nd floor
Children's Center (2nd floor)
  • Children's books for all ages
  • DVDs, Audiobooks, & CDs
  • Historical Children's Literature special collection
  • ....see more like this
Art Highlights
  • Viking Ship Drakkar model
  • Dollhouse collection
  • ...see complete list
3rd floor
Humanities (3rd floor)
  • Fiction and literature collection
  • Science Fiction and Fantasy collection
  • Languages, Religion, & Philosophy
  • Journalism & Writing; resources for actors
  • Newspaper collection (local and international, current editions)
  • Writers Study Room
  • ....see more like this
Art Highlights
  • Harry Marinsky's Morning News
  • Charles T. Williams' untitled copper sculpture
  • ...see complete list
4th floor
Fine Arts (4th floor)
  • Visual Arts, Music, & Performing Arts
  • DVD and CD collection
  • Printed sheet music
  • ....see more like this
Art Highlights
  • Music stand by Frank Lloyd Wright
  • Raiberto Comini's Margo Jones
  • Xavier Corbero's The Book Family
  • ...see complete list
5th floor
Business & Technology (5th floor)
  • Business, Technology, Science and Medicine Research
  • Oil & Gas special collection
  • Cookbooks and DVDs
  • International Trade, Standards and Specifications
  • Car Repair Manuals
  • ....see more like this
Art Highlights 6th floor
Government and Urban Information (6th floor)
  • Grant Resources for Non-profits
  • Patents, Trademarks, & Copyright Information
  • Civil Service test guides, Government Regulations
  • Community Information
  • Maps & Atlases
  • ....see more like this
Art Highlights 7th floor
Texas/Dallas History & Archives (7th floor)
  • Historic photographs, map, and directories
  • Yearbooks, oral histories, and postcards
  • Manuscript collections
  • Texana book collection
  • Newspaper archive
  • JFK Collection
  • ....see more like this
7th floor
Fine Books Division (7th floor) Art Highlights
  • Declaration of Independence
  • Shakespeare's First Folio
  • Frank Reaugh's Scene on the Brazos
  • ....see more like this
8th floor
History & Social Sciences (8th floor)
  • Legal Resources and Law Library
  • College Assistance Center includingscholarships
  • Travel books and DVDs
  • Books on history, psychology, and primary education
  • Ethnic, Cultural & National Histories
  • ....see more like this
8th floor
Genealogy (8th floor)
  • Nationally acclaimed collection
  • Extensive microform collection
  • Free access to ancestry.com
  • Seminars and Symposiums
  • ....see more like this
Art Highlights
  • Hand-woven Navajo blankets
  • Native American ceramic pottery
  • ...see complete list