Los Angeles Public Library

{{Short description|Public library system in Los Angeles, California}}

{{About||the county library system|LA County Library{{!}}County of Los Angeles Public Library|the pilot licence|Light aircraft pilot licence}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}

{{Use American English|date=December 2020}}

{{Infobox library

| library_name = Los Angeles Public Library

| library_logo = Los_Angeles_Public_Library_Logo.png

| image = los-angeles-central-library.jpg

| caption = South entrance of the Richard J. Riordan Central Library at Hope Street

| country = United States

| type = Public

| established = {{Start date and age|1872}}

| location = Headquarters: 630 West 5th Street
Los Angeles, California

| coordinates =

| num_branches = 72

| collection_size = 6,393,429

| annual_circulation = 18 million (2008)

| pop_served = {{plainlist|4,030,904 (city)

18,783,638 (metro)}}

| members =

| budget = {{US$|134,630,543}}

| director = {{nowrap|John F. Szabo (Fall 2012)}}

| num_employees = 944

| website = {{URL|https://www.lapl.org|lapl.org}}

| references = {{cite web |url=http://www.lapl.org/about/LAPL_Status_Report_Friends.pps |author=Martin Gomez |title=City Librarian's Report to Friends Groups |format=.PPS |publisher=Los Angeles Public Library |date=February 2010 |access-date=May 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620165718/http://www.lapl.org/about/LAPL_Status_Report_Friends.pps |archive-date=June 20, 2010}}{{cite web | title=Los Angeles Library Foundation - Annual Report 2008-2009 | url=http://www.lfla.org/annual-report/index.php | publisher=Library Foundation of Los Angeles | year=2009 | access-date=March 26, 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125125141/http://lfla.org/annual-report/index.php | archive-date=November 25, 2010 | df=mdy-all }}

}}

The Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) is a public library system in Los Angeles, California, operating separate from the Los Angeles County Public Library system. The system holds more than six million volumes,{{Cite web|url=http://www.lapl.org/about-lapl/press/2013-library-facts|title=Los Angeles Public Library Facts 2013 (for fiscal year 2012-13) {{!}} Los Angeles Public Library|website=www.lapl.org|access-date=March 6, 2016|archive-date=July 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707102923/http://www.lapl.org/about-lapl/press/2013-library-facts|url-status=dead}} and with around 19 million residents in the Greater Los Angeles area, it serves the largest metropolitan population of any public library system in the United States.{{Cite web|url=http://www.lapl.org/sites/default/files/media/pdf/about/LAPL_Strategic_Plan_2015-2020.pdf|title=LAPL Strategic Plan 2015-2020|last=Szabo|first=John|date=2015|access-date=March 6, 2016}} The system is overseen by a Board of Library Commissioners with five members appointed by the mayor of Los Angeles in staggered terms, and operates 72 library branches throughout the city.{{Cite web|url=http://www.lapl.org/about-lapl/board-library-commissioners|title=Board of Library Commissioners {{!}} Los Angeles Public Library|website=www.lapl.org|access-date=March 6, 2016}} In 1997 a local historian described it as "one of the biggest and best-regarded library systems in the nation."{{cite book |last1=Pitt |first1=Leonard |last2=Pitt |first2=Dale |date=1997 |title= Los Angeles A to Z: An Encyclopedia of the City and County |location=Berkeley, Calif. |publisher=University of California Press |page=300> |isbn= 0-520-20274-0 }}

History

File:1880s view of the Downey Block located on the northwest corner of Temple and Main streets as seen from the front of Temple Block.jpg

The Los Angeles Library Association was formed in late 1872, and by early 1873, a well-stocked reading room had opened in the Downey Block at Temple and Main streets under the first librarian, John Littlefield.{{Cite book|title=The light of learning: an illustrated history of the Los Angeles Public Library|last=Soter|first=Bernadette Dominique|publisher=Library Foundation of Los Angeles|year=1993|location=Los Angeles|pages=19–20}}

The original library consisted of two rooms. The larger room was called the "Book Room," and the smaller room was called the "Conversation Room," which contained newspapers, tables, chairs, and spittoons for the chess and checkers players who gathered there.{{Cite journal|title=At the Pleasure of the Board: Women Librarians and the Los Angeles Public Library, 1880–1905|author1=Debra Gold Hansen|author2=Karen F. Gracy|author3=Sheri D. Irvin|journal=Libraries & Culture|year=1999|volume=34|issue=4, Fall 1999|pages=311–346|publisher=University of Texas Press|jstor=25548763|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/25548763}}

Women were not initially involved in the conception and development of the Los Angeles Library Association. First Lady of California Maria Downey was given an honorary membership out of "courtesy," but otherwise, no women were listed in the association's founding documents, women were not represented on the board, and women were denied access to the library's reading room. However, this changed in 1876 when the association decided to implement a "Ladies Room." While this new room did not offer any books, it did provide a number of magazines and comfortable sofa and chairs for local clubwomen to use.

After Mary Foy was appointed as the first head woman librarian in 1880, her appointment was viewed as an act of charity by Mayor Toberman, who may have thought Foy to be in need of a job. Joanne Passet even posited that Foy's nomination, and librarian nominations in general, were seen as "an honorable means of assisting needy men and women in the community." This notion was mostly confirmed when Foy was replaced by Jessie Gavitt, whose economic need was deemed greater than Foy's by the board. Following Foy's appointment, the LAPL would go on to be "headed by a series of women administrators" for the next 25 years. These administrators included, Mary E. Foy (1880–1884), Jessie Gavitt (1884–1889), Lydia Prescott (1889), Tessa Kelso (1889–1895), Clara Fowler (1895–1897), Harriet Child Wadleigh (1897–1900), and Mary L. Jones (1900–1905).{{cite journal |last1=Hansen |first1=D.G. |last2=Gracy |first2=K.F. |last3=Irvin |first3=S.D. |title=At the pleasure of the Board: women librarians and the Los Angeles Public Library, 1881–1905 |journal=Libraries & Culture |date=1999 |volume=34 |issue=4 |pages=311–346}}

There was further speculation as to why the board decided on appointing Foy as the first head woman librarian. It may have been a political choice since she represented values that flourished in women's organizations, aiming to please the city's powerful women's clubs who may have been applying pressure. It's also suggested that Foy's nomination was a financial move; John Littlefield earned a salary of $100 while Mary Foy earned $75, which included janitorial work.

Tessa Kelso was appointed head librarian in 1889. She abolished the membership fee, increased membership from 100 to 20,000, increased the collection from 12,000 to 300,000 volumes, moved the books to open shelves, and permitted children to use the library. She set up an early system of branch libraries and moved the central library in to City Hall. She was forced out after a controversy over the library's acquisition of Jean Richepin's book La Cadet, which was considered indecent at the time.

Mary Jones, who was appointed Librarian in 1905, was fired by the library board in favor of Charles Fletcher Lummis. The only reason given for this was that the library should be run by a man, not a woman. This provoked "The Great Library War". Women in Los Angeles petitioned and marched in support of Jones but she was finally forced out; she took up a position as head of the library at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania.{{sfn|Orlean|2018a|pages=132, 139–143}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.lapl.org/collections-resources/blogs/lapl/great-library-war-1905-part-1-have-you-met-miss-jones|title=The Great Library War of 1905, Part 1: Have you met Miss Jones?|last=Beyelia|first=Nicholas|date=March 21, 2018|website=Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) blog|language=en|access-date=June 26, 2019}} Lummis established several special collections, including photography, autographs, and California and Spanish history. He oversaw two moves into larger buildings, and he greatly increased use of the library through several outreach programs.

{{circa|1914}}, the collection numbered 203,600. The central library was located in the "Hamburger Building at Eighth and Broadway" with plans to soon move to the "Metropolitan Building at Fifth and Broadway." The library had 22 branch "reading rooms" including two (San Pedro and Hollywood) housed in Carnegie library buildings. The library had a total of 41 "branches and distribution points" at that time, and cooperated with the "playground department" to offer "branch libraries" at "the Violet Street, Slauson, Hazard, and Echo Park playgrounds, and at the Recreation Center."{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ltZCAAAAIAAJ |title=Standard Guide to Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Panama-California Exposition |date=1914 |publisher=Press Association |language=en}}

Aggressive expansion and growth of the system began in the 1920s. The first building dedicated exclusively for library use opened in 1926.

On January 8, 2025, the Pacific Palisades Branch Library was destroyed in the 2025 Palisades Fire. {{Cite web |last=Fox11 |title=Palisades Branch Library goes up in flames |url=https://news.google.com/read/CBMiS0FVX3lxTE9Ub2c5dEZoSEdGaDFVV1JtdGNaUVZFc0p1MWh0eHhPcFJLRllLc3lWVTM3QUFoVGE4dHNHbm90UC1rbWUzcjBkaFVGUdIBUEFVX3lxTFBUbkFGbDl3Um1hTjR3cVNJOFZTZVZaSjVxLUN0Yi1yMVYwZ2U4U1JLRTk5enhXVUx3NDVKcVE5MFRuRHFBOW5JVHdMdVdzMVhG?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=Google News |language=en-US}}

=City librarians=

File:Mary E. Foy LCCN2014702212.jpg

File:Tessa Kelso At the Pleasure of the Board.jpg

File:Lummis 2.jpg

  • 1873–1879: John Littlefield
  • 1879–1880: Patrick Connolly
  • 1880–1884: Mary Foy
  • 1884–1889: Jessie Gavitt
  • 1889–1889: Lydia Prescott
  • 1889–1895: Tessa Kelso
  • 1895–1897: Clara Bell Fowler
  • 1897–1900: Harriet Child Wadleigh
  • 1900–1905: Mary Letitia Jones
  • 1905–1910: Charles Fletcher Lummis
  • 1910–1911: Purd Wright
  • 1911–1933: Everett Robbins Perry
  • 1933–1947: Althea Warren
  • 1947–1969: Harold Hamill
  • 1969–1990: Wyman Jones
  • 1990–1994: Elizabeth Martinez
  • 1995–2004: Susan Goldberg Kent
  • 2004–2008: Fontayne Holmes
  • 2009–2012: Martin Gomez
  • 2012–present: John Szabo{{Cite book|title=The Library Book|last=Orlean|first=Susan|publisher=Atlantic Books|year=2018a|isbn=978-1-78239-225-5|location=London|pages=125, 129, 132, 139–143, 173, 174, 198, 203, 307|oclc=1084749272}}

Central Library

{{mainarticle|Richard J. Riordan Central Library}}

File:LA Library.jpg

The Central Library Goodhue building was constructed in 1926 and is a Downtown Los Angeles landmark.{{Cite web|url=http://www.lapl.org/branches/central-library/art-architecture/goodhue-building|title=EARLY HISTORY, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE GOODHUE BUILDING {{!}} Los Angeles Public Library|website=www.lapl.org|access-date=March 7, 2016}} It was designed by architect Bertram Goodhue.{{sfn|Orlean|2018b|page=3}} This was his last work, because the man died suddenly in 1924.{{Cite web|url=https://la-future.com/uk/eternal-czentralna-biblioteka-los-andzhelesa-unikalnyj-hram-znan|title=Центральна бібліотека Лос-Анджелеса — унікальний храм знань - la-future.com|date=February 6, 2023|accessdate=March 10, 2023}} The Richard Riordan Central Library complex is the third largest public library in the United States in terms of book and periodical holdings. Originally named the Central Library, the building was first renamed in honor of the longtime president of the Board of Library Commissioners and President of the University of Southern California, Rufus B. von KleinSmid. The new wing of Central Library, completed in 1993, was named in honor of former mayor Tom Bradley.{{Cite web|url=http://www.lapl.org/branches/central-library/art-architecture/tom-bradley-wing|title=TOM BRADLEY WING: HISTORY AND DESIGN {{!}} Los Angeles Public Library|website=www.lapl.org|access-date=March 7, 2016}} The complex (i.e., the original Goodhue building and the Bradley wing) was subsequently renamed in 2001 for former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, as the Richard Riordan Central Library. The building was burned out by a catastrophic fire in 1986 when a million books and many other records (patents, play scripts, photographs) were damaged or totally destroyed. Arson was suspected but never proved.{{cite book |last1=Orlean |first1=Susan |author-link=Susan Orlean |title=The Library Book |date=2018b |publisher=Simon & Schuster |location=New York |isbn=978-1-4767-4018-8}}

{{-}}

Branches

Besides the Central Library in downtown Los Angeles, the system operates 72 branch locations in the city's neighborhoods. Eight of the larger branches are designated "regional branches."

class="wikitable sortable"
No.NamePhotographAddressZip CodePhoneAreaNeighborhood ServedNotes
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=01 01]Benjamin Franklin2200 E. First St.90033-3902323-263-6901NortheastBoyle Heights
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=02 02]Lincoln Heights100x100px2530 Workman St.90031-2322323-226-1692NortheastLincoln Heights
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=03 03]Pío Pico-Koreatown (피오 피코 코리아타운 도서관)100x100px694 S. Oxford Ave.90005-2872213-368-7647HollywoodKoreatown
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=04 04]Vernon4504 S. Central Ave.90011-3632323-234-9106Central SouthernSouth Central
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=05 05]Arroyo Seco6145 N. Figueroa St.90042-3565323-255-0537NortheastHighland Park/GarvanzaRegional Branch
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=06 06]Exposition Park100x100px3900 S. Western Ave.90062-1111323-290-3113Central SouthernExposition ParkRegional Branch
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=07 07]Junipero Serra4607 S. Main St.90037-2735323-234-1685Central SouthernSouth Park
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=08 08]Echo Park1410 W. Temple St.90026-5605213-250-7808NortheastEcho Park
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=09 09]San Pedro931 S. Gaffey St.90731-3606310-548-7779Central SouthernSan PedroRegional Branch
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=10 10]Wilmington100px1300 N. Avalon Blvd.90744-2639310-834-1082Central SouthernWilmington
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=11 11]Goldwyn Hollywood1623 Ivar Ave.90028-6304323-856-8260HollywoodHollywoodRegional Branch
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=12 12]John C. Fremont100px6121 Melrose Ave.90038-3501323-962-3521HollywoodHancock Park
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=13 13]Westchester-Loyola Village100px7114 W. Manchester Ave.90045-3509310-348-1096WesternWestchester
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=14 14]Vermont Square100x100px1201 W. 48th St.90037-2838323-290-7405Central SouthernVermont Square
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=15 15]Pacific Palisades100x100px861 Alma Real Dr.90272-3730310-459-2754WesternPacific PalisadesDestroyed by the 2025 Palisades Fire.{{Cite web |last=Fox11 |title=Palisades Branch Library goes up in flames |url=https://news.google.com/read/CBMiS0FVX3lxTE9Ub2c5dEZoSEdGaDFVV1JtdGNaUVZFc0p1MWh0eHhPcFJLRllLc3lWVTM3QUFoVGE4dHNHbm90UC1rbWUzcjBkaFVGUdIBUEFVX3lxTFBUbkFGbDl3Um1hTjR3cVNJOFZTZVZaSjVxLUN0Yi1yMVYwZ2U4U1JLRTk5enhXVUx3NDVKcVE5MFRuRHFBOW5JVHdMdVdzMVhG?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=Google News |language=en-US}}
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=16 16]Donald Bruce Kaufman Brentwood100px11820 San Vicente Blvd.90049-5002310-575-8273WesternBrentwood
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=17 17]Jefferson-Vassie D. Wright100x100px2211 W. Jefferson Blvd.90018-3741323-734-8573Central SouthernJefferson Park
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=18 18]Malabar100x100px2801 Wabash Ave.90033-2604323-263-1497NortheastBoyle Heights
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=19 19]Robert Louis Stevenson100x100px803 Spence St.90023-1727323-268-4710NortheastBoyle Heights
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=20 20]Cahuenga100x100px4591 Santa Monica Blvd.90029-1937323-664-6418HollywoodEast Hollywood
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=21 21]El Sereno5226 S. Huntington Dr.90032-1704323-225-9201NortheastEl Sereno
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=22 22]Palms-Rancho Park100x100px2920 Overland Ave.90064-4220323-840-2142WesternPalms & Rancho Park
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=23 23]Van Nuys100x100px6250 Sylmar Ave.91401-2707818-756-8453East ValleyVan Nuys
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=24 24]Canoga Park20939 Sherman Way91303-1744818-887-0320West ValleyCanoga Park
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=25 25]Studio City12511 Moorpark St.91604-1372818-755-7873East ValleyStudio City
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=26 26]Angeles Mesa100x100px2700 W. 52nd St.90043-1953323-292-4328Central SouthernHyde Park/Leimert Park
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=27 27]West Los Angeles100x100px11360 Santa Monica Blvd.90025-3152310-575-8323WesternWest Los AngelesRegional Branch
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=28 28]Cypress Park100x100px1150 Cypress Ave.90065-1144323-224-0039NortheastCypress Park
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=29 29]Wilshire100x100px149 N. St. Andrews Pl.90004-4019323-957-4550HollywoodMid-Wilshire
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=30 30]Ascot100px120 W. Florence Ave.90003-1805323-759-4817Central SouthernFlorence
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=31 31]Will & Ariel Durant7140 W. Sunset Blvd.90046-4416323-876-2741HollywoodHollywood
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=32 32]Eagle Rock100px5027 Caspar Ave.90041-1901323-258-8078NortheastEagle RockArticle on the former building
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=33 33]Hyde Park-Miriam Matthews100px2205 W. Florence Ave.90043-5101323-750-7241WesternHyde Park
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=34 34]John Muir100x100px1005 W. 64th St.90044-3605323-789-4800Central SouthernVermont-Slauson
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=35 35]Sunland-Tujunga7771 Foothill Blvd.91042-2137818-352-4481East ValleySunland & Tujunga
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=36 36]Los Feliz1874 Hillhurst Ave.90027-4427323-913-4710HollywoodLos FelizThe library computer room is named after actor Leonardo DiCaprios whose childhood home was located on the site, DiCaprios family foundation sponsored the computer equipment.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-13 |title=Check It Out: How the Los Feliz Library Came to Be |url=https://www.lfia.org/check-it-out-how-the-los-feliz-library-came-to-be/ |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=Los Feliz Improvement Association |language=en-US}}https://www.losfeliz.com/friends/Oct_2009_FOLFL_newsletter.pdf Friends of the Los Feliz Library Newsletter, October 2009{{Cite web |title=THE LEO LIBRARY |url=https://people.com/celebrity/the-leo-library/ |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}}
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=37 37]North Hollywood Amelia Earhart100px5211 Tujunga Ave.91601-3119818-766-7185East ValleyNorth HollywoodRegional Branch
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=38 38]Mar Vista100px12006 Venice Blvd.90066-3810310-390-3454WesternMar Vista
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=39 39]Panorama City100px14345 Roscoe Blvd.91402-4222818-894-4071East ValleyPanorama City
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=40 40]Venice-Abbot Kinney100px501 S. Venice Blvd.90291-4201310-821-1769WesternVenice
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=41 41]Washington Irving100x100px4117 W. Washington Blvd.90018-1053323-734-6303HollywoodArlington Heights/Mid-City
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=42 42]Robertson Branch Library100px1719 S. Robertson Blvd.90035-4315310-840-2147WesternBeverlywood/Cheviot Hills/Pico-RobertsonClosed Saturday and open Sunday due to widespread observation of Shabbat in this neighborhood
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=43 43]Alma Reaves Woods-Watts10205 Compton Ave.90002-2804323-789-2850Central SouthernWatts
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=44 44]Atwater Village100x100px3379 Glendale Blvd.90039-1825323-664-1353HollywoodAtwater Village
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=45 45]Mark Twain9621 S. Figueroa St.90003-3928323-755-4088Central SouthernVermont Vista
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=46 46]Baldwin Hills100x100px2906 S. La Brea Ave.90016-3902323-733-1196WesternBaldwin Hills
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=47 47]Encino-Tarzana100x100px18231 Ventura Blvd.91356-3630818-343-1983West ValleyEncino & Tarzana
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=48 48]Felipe de Neve100x100px2820 W. 6th St.90057-3114213-384-7676HollywoodWestlake
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=49 49]Memorial100x100px4625 W. Olympic90019-1832323-938-2732HollywoodCountry Club Park
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=50 50]West Valley100x100px19036 Vanowen St.91335-5114818-345-9806West ValleyResedaRegional Branch
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=51 51]Sherman Oaks14245 Moorpark St.91423-2722818-205-9716East ValleySherman Oaks
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=52 52]Sun Valley100px7935 Vineland Ave.91352-4477818-764-1338East ValleySun Valley
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=53 53]Pacoima100px13605 Van Nuys Blvd.91331-3613818-899-5203East ValleyPacoima
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=54 54]Sylmar14561 Polk St.91342-4055818-367-6102East ValleySylmar
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=55 55]Playa Vista100x100px6400 Playa Vista Dr.90094-2168310-437-6680WesternPlaya Vista
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=56 56]Granada Hills10640 Petit Ave.91344-6452818-368-5687West ValleyGranada Hills
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=57 57]Valley Plaza12311 Vanowen St.91605-5624818-765-9251East ValleyValley Glen/North HollywoodFormerly known as Vanowen Park Branch
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=58 58]Woodland Hills22200 Ventura Blvd.91364-1517818-226-0017West ValleyWoodland Hills
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=59 59]Northridge9051 Darby Ave.91325-2743818-886-3640West ValleyNorthridge
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=60 60]Chatsworth21052 Devonshire St.91311-2314818-341-4276West ValleyChatsworth
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=61 61]Fairfax100x100px161 S. Gardner St.90036-2717323-936-6191HollywoodFairfax
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=62 62]Lake View Terrace100x100px12002 Osborne St.91342-7221818-890-7404East ValleyLake View Terrace
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=63 63]Chinatown100x100px639 N. Hill St.90012-2317213-620-0925NortheastChinatown
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=64 64]Little Tokyo100x100px203 S. Los Angeles St.90012-3704213-612-0525NortheastLittle Tokyo
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=65 65]Platt23600 Victory Blvd.91367-1349818-340-9386West ValleyWest Hills
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=66 66]Mid-Valley Regional16244 Nordhoff St.91343-3806818-895-3650West ValleyNorth HillsRegional Branch
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=67 67]Porter Ranch11371 Tampa Ave.91326-1729818-360-5706West ValleyPorter Ranch
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=68 68]Harbor City-Harbor Gateway24000 S. Western Ave.90710-1741310-534-9520Central SouthernHarbor City & Harbor Gateway
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=69 69]Edendale100x100px2011 W. Sunset Blvd.90026-3122213-207-3000NortheastEcho Park
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=70 70]Pico-Union100x100px1030 S. Alvarado St.90006-3712213-368-7545Hollywood|Pico-Union
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=71 71]Westwood100x100px1246 Glendon Ave.90024-4914310-474-1739WesternWestwood
[http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=72 72]Silver Lake100x100px2411 Glendale Blvd.90039-3217323-913-7451NortheastSilver Lake 

High school diploma

The library offers an online program that allows adult patrons who have not completed high school to earn their high school diploma.{{cite news|last1=Toppo|first1=Greg|title=Libraries' choice: Change or fade into oblivion|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/06/07/changing-libraries-digital-age/9862861/|access-date=March 28, 2016|newspaper=USA Today|date=June 2, 2014}}

Special services

TESSA is Los Angeles Public Library's online historical collections. TESSA is named after Tessa Kelso, Los Angeles City Librarian from 1889 to 1895.{{cite web |title=About |url=https://tessa.lapl.org/AboutPage |website=tessa.lapl.org |access-date=19 February 2023}}

In June 2019, the Los Angeles Public Library opened the Octavia Lab, located at Central Library. Named in honor of science fiction author Octavia E. Butler, the lab is a makerspace and audiovisual studio that provides free access to creative tools and technology for library cardholders. Available equipment includes 3D printers, a laser cutter, sewing machines, green screen video production tools, and digitization stations for preserving analog media such as VHS tapes, cassettes, and slides. Some services may require advance reservations or include material fees.{{Cite web |date=2019-06-14 |title=LA Public Library's New Maker Space/Studio Lets You 3D Print, Shoot On A Green Screen, And Way More |url=https://laist.com/news/entertainment/la-public-librarys-new-maker-spacestudio-lets-you-3d-print-shoot-on-a-green-screen-and-way-more |access-date=2025-03-28 |website=LAist |language=en}}

In 2023, the library issued a limited-edition library card featuring the mountain lion P-22 in a National Geographic photo with the Hollywood Sign in the background.{{Cite news |last1=Von Quednow |first1=Cindy |last2=Riesmeyer |first2=Andy |date=February 23, 2023 |title=Los Angeles Public Library releases limited-edition library card honoring P-22 |url=https://ktla.com/news/local-news/los-angeles-public-library-releases-limited-edition-library-cards-honoring-p-22/ |access-date=2023-02-24 |work=KTLA |language=en-US}}

Awards

File:Parasol Library in Pershing Square circa 1938.jpg

The Los Angeles Public Library received the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation's highest honor given to museums and libraries for service to the community.{{Cite web |title=Los Angeles Public Library wins top award for cultural institutions |url=http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-public-library-wins-top-award-20150422-story.html |access-date=March 7, 2016 |website=Los Angeles Times|date=April 22, 2015 }} City Librarian John F. Szabo and community member Sergio Sanchez accepted the award on behalf of the library from First Lady Michelle Obama during a White House Ceremony on May 20, 2015.

The Los Angeles Public Library was selected for its success in meeting the needs of Angelenos and providing a level of social, educational, and cultural services unmatched by any other public institution in the city. The award recognizes the library's programs that help people on their path to citizenship, earn their high school diploma, manage personal finances and access health and well-being services and resources.{{Cite web |title=National Medal for Museum and Library Service {{!}} Los Angeles Public Library |url=http://www.lapl.org/NationalMedal |access-date=October 26, 2015 |website=www.lapl.org}}

See also

{{Portal|Los Angeles}}

References

{{Reflist}}