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Central Library Units

(Research and special collections + downtown branch)


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Directions to Central Library and Parking

Parking Information

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.

Parking Fees

Full charge may be made for a lost ticket. Rates are subject to change.

Driving Information

From the north

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.

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From the south

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.

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From the East

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.

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From the West

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.

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