Directions

To J. Erik Jonsson Central Library

The downtown J. Erik Jonsson Central Library is located at the corner of Young and Ervay Streets, across from City Hall. The entrance to the underground parking garage is located on the Wood Street side of the building.

The garage is next to the former Federal Reserve Bank parking lot on the back side of the Urban Market. Wood Street runs one-way going east. To enter the parking garage, use the first ramp; the second ramp is an exit and the third ramp is the loading dock. The overhead clearance is 7’3". There is a book return box located on Ervay Street.

The first 15 minutes of parking are free. After that, the first and second hours are 75 cents each. The maximum parking fee is $5.00 during the week and $3.00 during weekends. Full charge may be made for a lost ticket. Rates are subject to change.

Select the directions below, depending upon whether you are coming from the north, south, east or west.

From Central Expressway (US 75)

1. Take Central Expressway south.
2. Make a left exit to Downtown/Live Oak St.
3. Turn right on Live Oak St.
4. Turn left on St. Paul.
5. Turn right on Jackson and then turn left on Akard St.
6. Turn left on Wood St.
7. Turn right into the underground parking garage.

From I-35 (Stemmons Freeway)

1. Take I-35/Stemmons Freeway south.
2. Exit at #429A (to I-45 Houston).
3. Exit right at Field St./Griffin St. and follow Griffin.
4. Proceed through downtown, past the Earle Cabell Federal Bldg. and McDonald's.
5. Turn left on Wood St.
6. Proceed through several lights until you pass Akard St.
7. Turn right into the underground parking garage.

From Dallas North Tollway

1. Take the Tollway south through the last toll booth.
2. Move to the left and proceed on Harry Hines toward Dallas
3. Veer right onto Field St.
4. Veer right onto Griffin St.
5. Take Griffin past the Earle Cabell Federal Bldg. and McDonald's.
6. Turn left on Wood St.
7. Proceed through several lights until you pass Akard St.
8. Turn right into the underground parking garage.

From SMU

1. Take Hillcrest/Abbott to Harvard and left on Harvard.
2. Turn right on Cole.
3. Proceed south on Cole/Carlisle to Cedar Springs.
4. Turn left on Cedar Springs, follow overhead downtown signs across Harry Hines down to Field.
5. Turn left on Field St.
6. Veer onto Griffin St. and pass the Earle Cabell Federal Bldg. and McDonald's.
7. Turn left ontWood St.
8. Proceed through several lights until you pass Akard St.
9. Turn right into the underground parking garage.

From Ross Ave. / Live Oak St. / Elm St. or Mckinney Ave.

1. Proceed toward downtown on Ross, Live Oak, Elm or McKinney.
2. Turn left on St. Paul.
3. Proceed to Jackson and turn right.
4. Turn left on Akard St.
5. Turn left on Wood St.
6. Turn right into the underground parking garage.

From Oak Cliff (I-30 / R. L. Thornton Freeway)

1. Take I-35 North
2. Veer onto I-30 East and take the right exit onto Griffin St.
3. Following signs to Griffin, pass through the Convention Center (kind of a tunnel through the building).
4. Proceed on Griffin St. and turn right on Wood St.
5. Proceed through several lights until you pass Akard St.
6. Turn right into the underground parking garage.

From South Dallas (I-45 & Hwy. 175 / Hawn Freeway)

1. Take I-45 North.
2. Exit from right lane to I-30 West.
3. Take I-30 West and exit from right lane at Ervay/Downtown.
4. Turn right on Ervay St. and proceed past the library to Jackson St.
5. Turn left on Jackson St.
6. Turn left on Akard St.
7. Turn left on Wood St.
8. Turn right into the underground parking garage.

From East Dallas (I-30 / R. L. Thornton Freeway)

1. Take I-30 West and exit left onto Ervay St.
2. Follow the access road and, at the second traffic light, turn right on Ervay St.
3. Proceed on Ervay past the library and turn left at Jackson St.
4. Turn left on Akard St.
5. Turn left on Wood St.
6. Turn right into the underground parking garage.

From Garland Rd. (South of White Rock Lake Spillway)

1. Pass the spillway and turn right on Gaston Rd.
2. Proceed past Baylor Medical Center and turn left on Hawkins St..
3. Turn right on Elm.
4. Turn left on St. Paul.
5. Turn right on Jackson.
6. Turn left on Akard St.
7. Turn left on Wood St.
8. Turn right into the underground parking garage.

From Ft. Worth & Mid-Cities (I-30 / Tom Landry Freeway)

1. Take I-30 east to Dallas. As you approach downtown, take the Downtown/Commerce exit (second lane to left). Stay on Commerce.
2. Turn right on Griffin St.
3. Turn left on Wood St.
4. Proceed through several lights until you pass Akard St.
5. Turn right into the underground parking garage.

Arcadia Park | 1302 N. Justin Ave. 75211 | 214-670-6446

Go East on Wood or Young and turn right (south) on St. Paul. Proceed and turn right (west) onto Canton and enter I-30/I-35E. Follow signs to I-30 to Fort Worth (west). Take the Cockrell Hill Rd. exit. At Cockrell Hill Rd., turn left (south) and go to West Davis. Turn right (west) on West Davis. Go to North Justin. At North Justin turn right (north) and go 4 blocks to the Arcadia Park Elementary School and Arcardia Park Branch Library. The Library will be to the right (south).

Approximate distance: 9.5 miles

Audelia Road | 10045 Audelia Rd. 75238 | 214-670-1350 

Go East on Wood or Young to Central Expressway. Turn left (north) on Central and proceed to 635 east. Take 635 east to the Audelia Rd. exit. Go south on Audelia to the corner of Church and Audelia. The branch is near Northlake Elementary School.

Approximate distance: 10 miles.

Bachman Lake | 9480 Webb Chapel Road, Dallas,TX 75220 | 214-670-6376

Go East on Wood or Young and turn right (south) on St. Paul. Proceed on St. Paul; turn right (west) on Canton. Continue on Canton and enter I-30/I-35E. Follow signs to I-35E North (to Denton). Continue on I-35E to the Northwest Hwy. exit. After exiting at Northwest Hwy., turn right (east) on Northwest Hwy. and proceed about 3 miles to Webb Chapel Rd. Turn left (north) onto Webb Chapel Rd. The library is located just after El Centro Dr.

Approximate distance: 9.9 miles.

Bookmarks/NorthPark | 8687 North Central Expressway, Suite 1514 75225 | 214-671-1381

Take North Central Expressway north toward McKinney and exit at NorthPark Blvd. / Park Lane. Make a U-turn under the highway and enter one of several parking lots. The location inside of the mall is at the northwest corner of the area known as CenterPark in between La Duni Latin Kitchen and XXI Forever. See this map for more detail. (On the store map it appears as an orange colored rectangle.)

Approximate distance: 7.6 miles.

      Casa View | 10355 Ferguson Rd. 75228 | 214-670-8403

Take Hwy. I-30 East. Exit at Ferguson and turn left onto Ferguson. Continue on Ferguson to Joaquin. Turn left onto Joaquin; the branch is at the corner of Ferguson and Joaquin. Parking is in the back of the building.

Approximate distance: 9 miles.

Dallas West | 2332 Singleton Blvd. 75212 | 214-670-6445 

Go East on Wood or Young and turn right (south) on St. Paul. Proceed and turn right (west) onto Canton and enter I-30/I-35E. Follow signs to I-30 to Fort Worth (west). Continue on I-30 West to the Hampton Rd. exit. Turn right (north) and continue on hills for about 1 mile. At the second stoplight turn left onto Singleton. You will see the library on the left in about ½ block. It is a cream-colored building and shares the parking lot of the West Dallas Multipurpose Center.

Approximate distance: 4.5 miles.

Forest Green | 9015 Forest Ln. 75243 | 214-670-1335

Go East on Wood or Young to Central Expressway. Turn left (north). Continue North on Central Expressway to Forest Ln. Exit right (east) on Forest Ln. and proceed approximately 1 mile. The library is located ½ block west of Greenville on the left (north) side of Forest, between two small shopping centers.

Approximate distance: 12 miles.

Fretz Park | 6990 Belt Line Rd. 75254 | 214-670-6421

Go East on Wood or Young to Central Expressway. Turn left (north). Continue North on Central Expressway to Beltline exit. Turn left (west) on Beltline and proceed. The library will be on the left (south) side of the street just before getting to Hillcrest.

[Alternate route on the tollway: Go North on Ervay Street through downtown. At Pacific, the street becomes Akard. Continue forward. After passing over Woodall Rogers Freeway, stay left and continue on Dallas North Tollway (follow overhead signs). Go North on the Tollway to the Beltline exit. Turn right (east) on Beltline. Continue on Beltline to the library, just past Hillcrest.]

Approximate distance: 13 miles.

Grauwyler Park | 2146 Gilford St. 75235  | 214-670-1447

Go west on Young St. toward S Akard St. Turn right at South Lamar St. and then turn right at North Houston St. Continue on Alamo St. Turn left at Harry Hines Blvd. Turn right at Gilford St.

Approximate distance: 6 miles.

Hampton-Illinois | 2951 South Hampton Road 75224 | 214-670-7646

Take Young Street (west) until it dead ends. Turn left (south) and cross the river bridge. Follow Zang (south) to Illinois Ave. and turn right (west). Proceed west on Illinois about 2 miles and turn left onto Hampton Road. The library is about six blocks south.

Approximate distance: 7 miles.

Highland Hills | 3624 Simpson Stuart Rd. 75241 | 214-670-0987

Go East on Wood or Young and turn right (south) onto St. Paul. Continue on St. Paul and take the I-45 exit. Proceed on I-45 to Simpson Stuart Rd. Exit and turn right on Simpson Stuart. Go to Highland Hills Drive and turn left. Parking is at the back of the library.

Approximate distance: 9 miles.

Kleberg-Rylie | 1301 Edd Rd. 75253 | 214-670-8471

Go East on Wood or Young and turn right (south) onto Old Central Expressway; proceed south following the signs to exit at Hwy. 175. Exit at the Hwy. 175 exit. Continue south on Hwy. 175 past I-20. After passing under I-20, exit at Edd Rd. (second exit after 1-20). Go under the overpass and follow Edd Rd. for about a mile. The library is on the left side of the street.

Approximate distance: 14 miles.

Lakewood | 6121 Worth St. 75214 | 214-670-1376

Go East on Young; Young becomes Canton; continue East on Canton; curve onto Main; continue northeast on Main. Main will become Columbia. Continue on Columbia. Curve Northward onto Abrams. The branch is just before Lakewood Shopping Center on left side of Abrams at Worth.

Approximate distance: 4 miles.

Martin Luther King, Jr. | 2922 Martin Luther King Blvd. 75215 | 214-670-0344

Go East on Wood or Young and turn right (south) onto Old Central Expressway; proceed south to Martin Luther King Blvd. Turn left (northeast) on Martin Luther King Blvd. The library is on the right side of the street; it is part of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center.

Approximate distance: 3 miles.

Mountain Creek | 6102 Mountain Creek Pkwy. 75249 | 214-670-6704

Go East on Wood or Young and turn right (south) on St. Paul. Proceed and turn right (west) onto Canton and enter I-30/I-35E. Follow signs to I-35E South. Take I-35E South to Hwy. 67 (Marvin D. Love Frwy). Continue south on Hwy. 67 to I-20 West (to Fort Worth). Go west on I-20. Continue on I-20; exit at Mountain Creek Parkway. Turn left (south) on Mountain Creek Parkway. Continue south about 2 miles (you’ll go through a rural area). The library is the only building on the left side of the street. It is a white stone building with a gray roof. It has a turret. The building is across the street from the Mountain Creek residential development (Wind Ridge and Fox Hollow Estates).

Approximate distance: 16 miles.

North Oak Cliff | 302 W. Tenth St. 75208 | 214-670-7555

Go west on Young until it comes to a T-intersection in front of Reunion Station. Turn left. Continue onto the bridge. As you cross the river, move into one of the right hand lanes. Take the Zang split. Follow Zang to Tenth Street. Turn right on Tenth. The library is one block west of Zang at the corner of Tenth and Madison.

Approximate distance: 3 miles.

Oak Lawn | 4100 Cedar Springs Rd. 75219 | 214-670-1359

Go North on Ervay Street through downtown. At Pacific, the street becomes Akard. Continue forward. After passing over Woodall Rogers Freeway, stay right and continue on Cedar Springs Rd. (follow overhead signs). Stay on Cedar Springs Rd. and proceed to the intersection where Cedar Springs Rd. intersects with Cedar Springs Rd. (one block past Dickason). Turn left (Northwest). Continue on Cedar Springs Rd. through Oak Lawn Blvd. The library is located on the right (northeast) corner of Cedar Springs and Knight. Parking lot is shared with Kroger.

Approximate distance: 3 miles.

Park Forest | 3421 Forest Ln. 75234 | 214-670-6333

Go North on Ervay; turn left (west) on Elm. Proceed west on Elm, through Houston St. and Dealey Plaza. Follow signs and turn right (north) onto I-35E North. Continue North on I-35E and exit right onto LBJ Freeway (I-635 east). Proceed on LBJ; exit at Webbs Chapel Rd. Turn right on Webbs Chapel. At the next light, turn left (east) onto Forest Ln. Proceed to next traffic light and turn left onto Cromwell. The library is on the northeast corner of Forest and Cromwell.

Approximate distance: 14 miles.

Paul Laurence Dunbar Lancaster-Kiest | 2008 East Kiest Blvd. 75216-3301 | 214-670-1952

Go East on Wood or Young and turn right (south) on St. Paul. Proceed and turn right (west) onto Canton and enter I-30/I-35E. Follow signs to I-35E South. Take I-35E south to Kiest exit. Turn left (east) on Kiest and continue East about 2.3 miles

Approximate distance: 8.2 miles.

Pleasant Grove | 1125 S. Buckner Blvd. 75217 | 214-670-0965

Proceed East on Wood or Young and turn right (south) onto Old Central Expressway. Continue onto the Expressway; follow the signs and exit onto Highway 175. Continue southeast on Hwy. 175 to the second Lake June exit. Continue East on Lake June to Buckner Blvd. (Loop 12); turn right. The library is in the third block on the right side of the street. The Grove clinic is on the corner, then a Washeteria, then the library.

Approximate distance: 8.5 miles.

Polk-Wisdom | 7151 Library Ln. 75232 | 214-670-1947

Go East on Wood or Young and turn right (south) on St. Paul. Proceed and turn right onto Canton. Continue and enter I-30/I-35E. Follow signs and take I-35E South (Waco). Continue on I-35E to Camp Wisdom Rd. exit. Turn right (west) on Camp Wisdom Rd. Continue west and turn left on Libary Lane (1 block past Polk Street).

Approximate distance: 9 miles.

Preston Royal | 5626 Royal Ln. 75229 | 214-670-7128

Go North on Ervay Street through downtown. At Pacific, the street becomes Akard. Continue forward. After passing over Woodall Rogers Freeway, stay left and continue on Dallas North Tollway (follow overhead signs). Go North on the Tollway to the Royal exit. It will be necessary to pay tolls. Turn left (west) on Royal. The library is on the left (south) side of Royal, across the street from the Winston School (a private school).

Approximate distance: 8.5 miles.

Renner Frankford | 6400 Frankford Rd. 75252 | 214-670-6100

Go North on Ervay Street through downtown. At Pacific, the street becomes Akard. Continue forward. After passing over Woodall Rogers Freeway, stay left and continue on Dallas North Tollway (follow overhead signs). Go North on the Tollway to the Frankford exit. It will be necessary to pay tolls. Turn right (east) on Frankford Rd. and continue East about 3 miles. Cross through Preston Rd. The library is the tall red brick building on the right (south) side of the street. Davenport Street is past the library.

Approximate distance: 16.5 miles.

Skillman southwestern | 5707 Skillman St. 75206 | 214-670-6078

Go East on Wood or Young to Central Expressway. Turn left (north). Continue North on Central Expressway to Lovers Ln. Turn right (east) on Lovers. Continue to Skillman. Turn left (north) on Skillman. The library is on the corner of Skillman and southwestern. It is across Skillman from the Medallion Shopping Center (just south of Northwest Hwy/Loop 12).

Approximate distance: 7.5 miles.

Skyline | 6006 Everglade Rd. 75227 | 214-670-0938

Take Hwy. I-30 east; exit at Jim Miller Rd.; turn right (south) onto Jim Miller. Proceed on Jim Miller. The library is on the south East corner of the intersection of Jim Miller and Everglade Rd. Turn left onto Everglade, then right into the library parking lot.

Approximate distance: 7 miles.

Timberglen | 18505 Midway Road 75287 | 214-671-1365

Go North on Ervay Street through downtown. At Pacific, the street becomes Akard. Continue forward. After passing over Woodall Rogers Freeway, stay left and continue on Dallas North Tollway (follow overhead signs). Go North on the Tollway to the Frankford exit.  It will be necessary to pay tolls. Follow Frankford west to Midway Rd. and turn north.  The Library is on your left.

Approximate distance: 18 miles.

How to get to Central and branch libraries using public transportation

The J. Erik Jonsson Central Library is accessible by DART, DCTA Commuter Express, and Trinity Railways Express.

• Central Library via bus (DART and DCTA Commuter Express)
• Central Library via train (DART, Trinity Railway Express, and Amtrak)
• Branch libraries via bus or train
• Google Map of Central Library area

Central Library via Bus

Central Library via DART Buses

All DART routes numbered from 1 to 283 except 234 come through downtown. Most downtown routes stop within a few blocks from the library. Please contact DART(214-979-1111) for route and schedule information from your location.

DART bus routes that stop directly across or in front of the library

2, 8, 184, 206, 278, 283

Central Library via DCTA Commuter Express Bus (Denton/Lewisville weekdays only)

• Signal for a stop at Commerce and Akard Streets
• Walk two blocks east to Ervay Street
• Turn right, walk two blocks south to Wood Street
• The library will be on your right

Central Library via Train

Union Station
(served by DART Blue Line Rail, DART Red Line Rail, Trinity Railway Express, and Amtrak)

Walk from Union Station

• Walk east on Young Street seven blocks to Ervay Street
• The library will be on your left

Ride a bus from Union Station

• Board DART Route 8
• Signal for a stop at Young and Ervay Streets
• The library will be on your left

St. Paul Station (served by DART Blue Line Rail, DART Red Line Rail)

Walk from St. Paul Station

• Walk south on St. Paul Street six blocks to Wood Street
• Turn right (west) on Wood Street and walk one block to library
• The library will be on your left

Ride a bus from St. Paul Station

• Board DART Route 8 at St. Paul and Bryan Streets
• Signal for a stop at Young and Ervay Streets
• The library will be on your right

Akard Station (served by DART Blue Line Rail, DART Red Line Rail)

• Walk south on Akard Street five blocks to Wood Street; part of the walk will be a pedestrian way closed to vehicles
• Turn left (east) on Wood Street and walk one block to Ervay Street
• The library will be on your right

Branch libraries via public transportation

Most of the Dallas Public Library branches are accessible via DART bus or rail. Please contact DART (214-979-1111) for route and schedule information from your location.

• Arcadia Park - 35, 76 (Walk 1/2 mile from both routes)
• Audelia Road - Bus route 60
• Casa View Library - Bus routes 164, 519
• Dallas West - Bus routes 52W, 59, 452 or walk 1/4 mile from 453
• Forest Green - Bus routes 486, 488
• Fretz Park - Bus route 400
• Grauwyler Library - Bus routes 26G, 44
• Hampton Illinois - Bus routes 11, 445, 453, or walk 1/4 mile from Hampton Station
• Highland Hills - Bus routes 155, 554
• Kleberg-Rylie - Bus route 342S, then walk 3/8 mile
• Lakewood - Bus routes 19, 76
• Martin Luther King, Jr. - Bus routes 12, 26, 44, 50, 409 or walk 1/4 mile from J. B. Jackson, Jr. Transit Center
• Mountain Creek - Not currently served by public transportation
• North Oak Cliff - Bus routes 1, 11, 21, 76, 444, 510, 522, 542 (all routes 1/8 to 3/8 mile walk)
• Oak Lawn - Bus routes 39, or walk 1/4 mile from routes 31, 51, 409
• Park Forest - Bus route 486
• Paul Laurence Dunbar Lancaster-Kiest - Bus route 541, or walk 1/4 mile from route 538
• Pleasant Grove - Bus route 466, or walk 1/4 from routes 50, 165
• Polk Wisdom - Bus route 161
• Preston Royal - Bus routes 36, 184 (Walk 1/4 mile from both routes)
• Renner Frankford - Bus route 184, 350
• Skillman Southwestern - Bus route 502
• Skyline - Bus route 111 Skyline
• Timberglen - Bus route 341 (walk 1/4 mile)