Central Library opened to the public in July 1926. On January 29, 2026, to kick off the library's centennial year, a time capsule that was placed in the building's cornerstone during the original…
When Central Library opened in July 1926, the press spoke of lawns (east and west), a Grand Terrace, and Library Park. Today, we can see the beauty of the Maguire Gardens, but we no longer have a…
You no doubt know the names of the city's famous fictional private detectives—Philip Marlowe, Easy Rawlins, Jake Gittes—but let me introduce you to Mr. Samuel Wardlaw, Los Angeles Public Library's…
Los Angeles Public Library is celebrating 100 years of the Central Library, making this the perfect time to spotlight the exceptional librarians who have overseen this remarkable building and…
One of the Los Angeles Public Library's largest pieces of outdoor art can only be appreciated in photos now, after becoming a victim of Southern California's weather. Bison Hunt, a 50-foot-by-26-foot…
On March 13, 2000, the new, expanded Teen’Scape Department at the Central Library opened with great fanfare. (This replaced the smaller Teen’Scape Department that existed at Central from 1998-2000.)…
The first several decades of the Los Angeles Public Library's existence involved frequent moves into various rented spaces downtown. These locations included the Downey Block (1872-1889), City Hall…
Do you own a hat? Other than a baseball cap? How would you feel about wearing a hat...every day? Well, if you were around in the 1920s, you would have been intimately familiar with hat-wearing, hat…
Join the librarians of the Los Angeles Public Library as they revisit interactions with notable patrons, talk about L.A. History with Angel City Press, and dive into the mystery of Against the Grain…
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…
When you think of stories, you might think of books first. But many stories—including gender-diverse stories—are told through art, as well.The Los Angeles Central Library, also known as the Goodhue…
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…
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…
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…
