LAPL Blog
Save the Books
Cindy Holsey, October 13, 2018
It was a typical day in my 11th grade English class, except my teacher offered a rare extra credit opportunity—to write a 100-word essay on the topic, "What a Library Means to Me." She explained that our essays would be submitted to the "Save the Books" essay contest, part of an effort to raise funds for t
Sheryn Morris, September 28, 2018
In retrospect, it is ironic that the fire took place when it did: April 29, 1986. On that day, progress was quietly continuing with plans for a renovation of the original Central Library and a new multi-level addition.

![Jubilant participants during the 1987 Save the Books telethon. $2 million dollars in pledges were made during the 48 hours, but around half that amount was actually collected. [Los Angeles Public Library Institutional Collection] Jubilant participants during the 1987 Save the Books telethon.](https://www.lapl.org/sites/default/files/styles/blog_latest_list_120x90/public/blogs/2025-10/save25header.jpg?itok=4tfyrxJu)