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On March 13, 2000, the new, expanded Teen’Scape Department at the Central Library opened with great fanfare.
The first several decades of the Los Angeles Public Library's existence involved frequent moves into various rented spaces downtown.
Do you own a hat? I don’t mean a baseball cap—I mean a real, structured, leave-the-house-in-it hat. And how would you feel about wearing it... every single day?
It’s 2026, and here at the Library, we’re looking forward to commemorating 100 years of the Central Library. Dedicated in July 1926, the opening of this architectural icon was a milestone not only for the Library system but for the entire city.
When you think of stories, you might think of books first. But many stories—including gender-diverse stories—are told through art, as well.
In this ongoing year-long exploration of the book that includes workshops, exhibits, video interviews, demos and more, there should be an exploration of the artistry of the book within the exemplary holdings of the Central Library, specifically focusing on the treasures in the Los Angeles Public Library's
Sometimes it feels as though public libraries—free, government-supported, circulating libraries—have always been part of American life, but public libraries were rare before the last quarter of the nineteenth century.
There is something special about visiting the library and losing yourself in a good book. It can become more special when you find a surprise inside that book. An item meant to be forgotten, found again and given new meaning.
A few words come to mind about my practice as an Art Librarian with roots in both academic and studio experiences—scribe, space, and light. I work in the Los Angeles Central Library.
You may know Monica Shannon as the author of the 1935 Newbery Award-winning book Dobry, but have you read her fairy tales set in California? They are remarkably descriptive and among the strangest books, I’ve read in a long time.