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Central Library

Central Library Exterior
Address:
630 W. 5th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Phone:
213-228-7000
Email:
Contact form
Librarian:
Kren Malone, Director
Map for Central Library Branch

Click map for detailed view, directions, and transit info.

Hours of Service

Mon: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Tues: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Weds: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Thurs: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Fri: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Sat: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Sun: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Upcoming Events at Central Library
globe with stack of rainbow books
Thursdays at 10 a.m.
Russian for Beginners Class
Join us for Russian for Beginners Class.
Group of Senior Retirement Friends, Technology Togetherness Concept
May 19, 2022 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Tell Your Story Memory Café / Café de los recuerdos
Memory Cafés are comfortable, social gatherings for older adults to connect, socialize and build new support networks.
Three adults smile while learning computer skills
Thursdays at 3 p.m.
Tech Thursdays: Drop-In Tech Help
Bring your own device (smart phone, laptop, tablet) to Tech Thursdays where staff can assist with basic issues such as how to download an e...
Girl in a pink shirt painting flowers using watercolors.
May 19, 2022 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Let’s Read and Make Art: Food Art
We will read a story in honor of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month and then make an art project together. This program...
Machine gear sprockets illustration with the sleeve of a business suit with a hand protruding from it supporting the sprockets with pictures of money bags and light bulb around and in the gears
May 19, 2022 4:00 PM
Money 101
What is one of life's biggest ideas, and how does that idea impact our financial choices? Explore this topic during a basic introduction to...
adult literacy logo
Fridays at 11 a.m.
Multicultural Literacy With Cyd
This class explores works of fiction and non-fiction from various cultures around the world as a way to understand our differences and the...
globe with stack of rainbow books
Fridays at 12:30 p.m.
Advanced Spanish Class
For one hour, we will talk only in Spanish about books, the weather, and the Spanish Language. This class is for intermediate to advanced...
Book cover illustration of The Best we Could Do
May 20, 2022 1:00 PM
The Big Read: U.S. Citizenship Process
Come learn about the U.S. Citizenship process from the International Refugee Committee.
Streaming live on the library's YouTube channel.
Image of books in various colors
3rd Saturday of the month at 9:30 a.m.
Used Book Sale
Sales feature hundreds of used books, magazines, and DVDs, and are sponsored by the Central Library support groups: Central Library Docents...
Globe chandelier located in the Central Library rotunda
Saturdays at 11 a.m.
Docent-Led LA Central Library Art & Architecture Tour
Take an hour-long tour through the Los Angeles Central Library. Your docent guide will share stories about the history, art, and...
More Events at Central Library


What We're Reading

LAPL Reads: Recommendations | Book Lists | New Books | Catalog

Recent Blog Posts from LAPL Blog
May 19, 2022
Interview With an Author: Veronica G. Henry
By Daryl M., Librarian
Veronica G. Henry was born in Brooklyn, New York, and has been a bit of a rolling stone ever since. She is a graduate of the Viable Paradise Workshop, a member of SFWA, and an Author Spotlight... Continued
May 17, 2022
Julius Levitt, Community Activist
By Vi Ha, Senior Librarian
Julius Levitt (1885–1953) was a promoter of Yiddish culture and a community activist, most importantly through the Jewish Labor Committee (JLC) to bring attention to the horrors of Nazism throughout... Continued
May 16, 2022
Jewish Roots of L.A.
By Peter Hauge, Librarian
President Joseph Biden may have put it best in his 2021 proclamation on Jewish American Heritage Month: “The Jewish American experience is a story of faith, fortitude, and progress. It is a... Continued
May 14, 2022
Stand With the Banned: Free Access To Challenged Books for Teens and Tweens
By Kadie Seitz, Librarian
Here at the library, we closely follow stories of books being banned or challenged throughout the country. It is the mission of the Los Angeles Public Library to provide free and easy access to... Continued

All Posts from LAPL Blog

Meeting Rooms

The Literature & Fiction (Upper Level 3) and Business Department (Lower Level 1) have glass-enclosed meeting rooms available for use.

Guidelines

  • Meeting Room hours
    Monday - Thursday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
    Friday - Saturday: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
    Sunday: 1 - 4:30 p.m.
  • Sign ups on the hour or half hour
  • Must have a valid library card
  • Reservations must be made in person, day of and up to one day in advance
  • Two hours per floor per patron
  • Water allowed. No food or drink
  • Three or more people required for large (6 chair) rooms
  • Furniture and chairs must not be moved
  • Dry erase markers and erasers available upon request
  • All library rules apply: Patrons in violation of library rules may be refused service.

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