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Aerial view of fire, April 29,1986
Central Docents, April 29, 2016

This year, 2016, marks the 30th anniversary of the most catastrophic fire of a library building in the U.S. It occurred at our Central Library.


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Christina Rice, April 28, 2016

On the morning of April 29, 1986, librarian Dan Dupill was answering telephone calls at the Literature Reference Desk at Central Library. The antiquated phone system was slow, and the volume of calls high in those pre-Internet days, so getting through to a Reference Librarian could be a challenge.


tin typeClara Shortridge Foltz
Kelly Wallace, March 21, 2016

Who hasn’t received that notice in the mail—the one that commands you to report for jury duty at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center?


Entry from Bernice Kimball's "Streets of Los Angeles"
Kelly Wallace, August 04, 2015

What’s in a name?  The stories behind the names of the streets, avenues, roads, and boulevards of Los Angeles reveal much about the history of our city, from its beginning as a tiny pueblo to today's sprawling metropolis of 3.8 million.  A list of L.A.


Recently, we found a folder tucked away at the back of a file cabinet in the Social Science, Philosophy & Religion Department.


Money Mysteries

Who’s the guy on the old $10,000 note (Salmon Chase, note no longer printed)?  Is America on the gold standard (NO, not since June 1933)?  What’s the origin of the term “greenback” (a U.S.


3 Negro Motorist Green Books
Kelly Wallace, February 27, 2015

As African American Heritage Month draws to a close, I would like to bring your attention to a largely unknown chapter of American history.


Map of the USA
Glen Creason, February 03, 2015

To commemorate African American Heritage Month, Central Library offers two maps that exemplify the struggles and triumphs of African-Americans in this country. The first is “Americans of Negro Lineage” by the great Louise E.


Armed Serviced Editions
Kelly Wallace, January 11, 2015

One of the many special and unique items at Central Library is a collection of ASE books. Armed Services Editions, popularly known as ASEs, are pocket-sized books made for and distributed to American servicemen around the world during World War II.


Babe Ruth
Kelly Wallace, September 30, 2014

On this date in 1927, Babe Ruth hit his 60th home run of the year, breaking his own record of 59 set in 1921 and setting a mark that would last until Roger Maris hit 61 in 1961. He hit it off Tom Zachary, a 31-year-old left-hander pitching for the Washington Senators.


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