The American Library in Paris was established in 1920 under the auspices of the American Library Association with a core collection of books and periodicals donated by American libraries to United States armed forces personnel serving their allies in World War I. The Library has grown since then into the largest English-language lending library on the European continent. It operates as a non-profit cultural association in France incorporated under the laws of Delaware.

Library members have access to more than 120,000 books, 500 periodicals (some of which date back to the mid-19th century), a variety of movies and other audio-visual materials, plus reference and research resources in paper and electronic form. The Library also hosts regular literary and public-affairs programs and book groups, as well as children’s and teen events and activities, and is building on its network of partnerships with French and American schools, universities, and other institutions.

Open to all, with annual and short-term memberships for individuals, families, students, and seniors, the Library serves nearly 2,300 members hailing from more than 60 countries. The Library’s staff of twelve speaks nine languages.

Current data

In 2008, more than 2,000 members and users of The American Library in Paris checked out or renewed 97,000 items, an average of 46 items per person. The number of checked-out books, tapes, compact discs, CD-ROMs, videos and other library materials increased eight percent from 2007. In a typical week, 238 people visit the Library, with an average of 30 new members.

Two digital bibliographic and full-text databases were added to the collection - EBSCO's MasterFILE™ Premier providing full text articles for nearly 1,750 periodicals and JSTOR's "Public Library Collection I" which offers access to a wide range of arts and humanities journals.

More than 2,500 young people of all ages, and their appreciative parents, participated in one of the nearly 200 programs in the library's children’s department during 2008. Our free evening programs continued to reach an ever growing audience. Forty-nine evening programs, an increase of 50% percent compared to 2007, were presented with more than 2,500 people in attendance. e-Libris, our bi-weekly electronic newsletter was launched in June 2008, reaching an average of 3,000 people by the end of the year - helping to communicate the Library's events and programs to a wider audience.

In 2008, more than 20 volunteers donated time to the Library time and talents to provide valuable assistance to our staff, members and users of the library.

Vision & Mission

Vision

The American Library in Paris celebrates the written word and the life of the mind. It is constantly renewing its purpose in Paris as a center for literature, learning, culture, and community.

Mission

• To provide access in France to what is best in English-language books, periodicals and other materials by sustaining and extending a varied and enduring collection.
• To provide the services of a contemporary American public library.
• To encourage and support reading in English by children and young adults.
• To act as an educational support center for people of all ages on their pursuit of formal instruction or personal growth.
• To promote better understanding between France and the United States by making available the artistic, historical and business record of the American experience to an international audience.