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Author Anna Kovatcheva and her debut novel, She Made Herself a Monster
Photo of author: Sylvie Rosokoff
Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, March 12, 2026

Anna Kovatcheva was born in Bulgaria and now lives in Brooklyn. She holds an MFA in fiction from New York University. Her chapbook, The White Swallow, was selected by Aimee Bender as the winner of the Gold Line Press Chapbook Competition; her short fiction has been anthologized in...

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Maya Angelou and Tupac Shakur

From Maya Angelou to Tupac Shakur: Spotlight on African-American Poets

Christa Deitrick, Librarian, Literature & Fiction Department, Monday, February 22, 2016

Among the many treasures in the Literature & Fiction department is our poetry collection, which clocks in at around 20,000 titles. Since February is African-American Heritage Month, what better time to spotlight a few of these fabulous poets?


Parapet Walkway below Pyramid of central library

Hidden Spaces and Forgotten Places in the Library

Central Docents, Central Library, Monday, February 8, 2016

Have you ever climbed the old marble staircase in our Central Library and, glancing up, spied a lit window cozily lined with books and plants?


Sanborn Fire Insurance Atlas, Sheet 469, 1950.

Central Avenue: Dunbar Hotel

Glen Creason, Librarian III, History & Genealogy Department, Tuesday, February 2, 2016

As a salute to African American Heritage Month we present a brief glance at the epicenter of Central Avenue in the once glamorous and glorious Dunbar Hotel.


part of Maguire Gardens’ SPINE sculptor

Sculptor Jud Fine Reflects on the Maguire Gardens’ SPINE

Central Docents, Central Library, Monday, January 4, 2016

The incised metal steps that lead from Flower Street to the Central Library are part of an “art plan integrated with an architectural plan” now known as “Spine,” and the highlight of The Maguire Gardens. It is “not an installation or a sole art project,” says primary artist, Jud Fine.


Senior Librarian Mary McCoy at the Teen'Scape Desk

Teen’Scape Revisited: YA Library after Nearly Two Decades

Central Docents, Central Library, Monday, November 23, 2015

When you take our free docent-led art and architecture tours of the Los Angeles Central Library, we always point out Teen’Scape, one of the nation’s first libraries within a library designed by and exclusively for teens. Architect Robert Coffee created the unique space, which opened in 1998.


illustration of the teen'scape space in Central Library

Teen’Scape: The Origin Story

Central Docents, Central Library, Thursday, November 12, 2015

When you take our free docent-led art and architecture tours of the Los Angeles Central Library, we always point out Teen’Scape, one of the nation’s first libraries within a library designed by and exclusively for teens.


4 covers of old city directories

A Powerful Genealogical Resource: City Directories

Julie Huffman, Librarian, History & Genealogy Department, Thursday, October 1, 2015

These annual precursors-to-telephone directories display a person’s home address, but also often a spouse name, occupation, and work address. And since they were largely published every year, they can be powerful tools used to find where your ancestors lived and worked between the decennial U.S.


tour group looking at the library's rotunda

Being a Central Library Docent

Central Docents, Central Library, Tuesday, September 29, 2015

If you love the historic Central Library’s art and architecture, why not share that passion with others?


Luis J. Rodriguez. Photo by Kevin Scanlon

What Latinx Heritage Month Means to Me

Luis J. Rodriguez, Poet Laureate of Los Angeles, Thursday, September 17, 2015

In the United States, “Latinx Heritage Month” is celebrated from September 15 to October 15. This is a time to recognize and honor Latinx peoples, cultures, issues, contributions, and histories.


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A History of Latino Activism in Los Angeles

Christina Rice, Senior Librarian, Photo Collection, Tuesday, September 15, 2015

The influence of Latino heritage and culture has long been prevalent in the city of Los Angeles. This includes a history of activism relating to causes at the local, state, national, and international levels.


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