LAPL Labs: Creativity Within Reach

Octavia Lab logo

The Octavia Lab, named after the award-winning science fiction author Octavia E. Butler, is a do-it-yourself makerspace located inside the Los Angeles Public Library's historic Central Library. Octavia Lab provides library cardholders free and unlimited access to state-of-the-art design, fabrication, preservation, and story-telling technologies.


Open Hours

  • Monday, Tuesday, Friday & Saturday: 1 - 5 p.m.

  • Wednesday & Thursday: 3:30 - 7:30 p.m.

  • Sunday and City holidays: Closed

Location and Parking Information

The Octavia Lab is located in the Central Library:

630 W. 5th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071
On Lower Level 2 next to the Science, Technology and Patents Department.

Information about parking and accessibility.


Become an Octavia Lab Member

To use the Lab, you must first become a member of the lab, which requires a library card in good standing, photo ID, and a signed user agreement. Lab applications must be filled out and submitted in person during lab hours.

Reservations

Please call the Octavia Lab at 213-228-7150 if you would like to set up a reservation or have any questions.

As a reminder, equipment reservations are only accepted by phone or in person, not by email

Lab tours are available during our hours of operation, and do not require a reservation.

E-mail us with any questions at octavialab@lapl.org.


Class Visits and Field Trips to Octavia Lab

Students of all ages are welcome to the lab to learn and explore the various forms of creative technology available in the Octavia Lab! If you are interested in bringing your students to the lab, please contact Lauren exploreoctavialab@lapl.org to schedule a date and time for your visit.

Each visit includes a tour of the maker space, equipment demonstrations and opportunities to use select equipment.


Equipment

The Octavia Lab’s maker space has tools for all types of creators. Whether you’re recording music, editing photos, or 3D printing your gadgets, the lab is filled with endless opportunities for creation and education. Check out our list of available equipment to inspire your next project or learn something new through in-software tutorials and online learning resources, including LinkedIn Learning, free with your library card.

A 3D printer

Bring your digital creations to life by printing them on one of our 3D printers.

icon depicting a cloud

Want to record your next podcast episode? Itching to record your original music? Looking for a place to edit your student film? Reserve The Studio.

A desktop MAC computer

Design your own graphics, 3D modeling, sounds, and more at one of our Digital Media Stations equipped with Apple Mac computers and Adobe Creative Cloud.


A laser cutter on a desk.

Cut and engrave designs on a number of materials to customize your creations.

A poster printer in the Octavia Lab

Choose from matte or glossy paper when printing images on a large scale with our poster printer.

A Singer sewing machine on a table.

Explore crafts involving textile creations with our sewing machines, serger and computerized embroidery machine.


A vinyl cutter on a table.

Create stickers or heat-transfer designs for custom t-shirts, tote bags and more.

A CNC Mill on a table.

Our Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Mill can design PCB circuit boards in addition to engraving on materials like acrylic, aluminum and more.

The photography studio with lights in the Octavia Lab

Create scenic photos and videos with a backdrop of your choice.


A desktop with a virtual reality headset and hand controls

Discover new worlds through virtual exploration without stepping foot outside of the Octavia Lab.



Featured

robot

Lab Updates

The latest events happening at the Octavia Lab.


black-and-white illustration of Octavia Butler

Octavia Butler

Octavia Lab honors Octavia Butler, a bestselling author and acclaimed pioneer of science fiction who broke ground in the male-dominated genre.




Top