Los Angeles Public Library

Los Angeles Public Library
source
Name	Los Angeles Public Library
Caption	Central Library, Los Angeles
Location	Los Angeles, California
Established	1872

Los Angeles Public Library. The Los Angeles Public Library system serves the residents of Los Angeles, California, with a wide range of services and resources, including access to over 6 million items, such as books, DVDs, and eBooks, as well as programs and events for children and adults, in collaboration with organizations like the Los Angeles Times, University of California, Los Angeles, and California State Library. The library system has a long history, dating back to 1872, when it was founded with a collection of Abraham Lincoln's writings and other materials, and has since grown to include 73 branches, including the Exposition Park Branch, Echo Park Branch, and Van Nuys Branch, which offer services in partnership with institutions like the Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. The library system is also a member of the Urban Libraries Council and the California Library Association, and has received awards from the American Library Association and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

● History

The history of the Los Angeles Public Library dates back to 1872, when it was founded with a collection of Abraham Lincoln's writings and other materials, and has since grown to include 73 branches, including the Exposition Park Branch, Echo Park Branch, and Van Nuys Branch, which offer services in partnership with institutions like the Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. The library system has been led by notable librarians, including Tessa Kelso, who served as the library's first City Librarian from 1889 to 1899, and Bertram Powers, who played a key role in the development of the library system during his tenure from 1911 to 1934, and has also been supported by organizations like the Los Angeles Times, University of California, Los Angeles, and California State Library. The library system has also been influenced by notable events, such as the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, which led to the establishment of a library commission to oversee the development of the library system, and the Great Depression, which resulted in increased demand for library services, with support from institutions like the Federal Emergency Relief Administration and the Works Progress Administration.

● Architecture

The Central Library, Los Angeles building, designed by Bertram Goodhue and completed in 1926, is a notable example of Art Deco architecture and features a rotunda with a mural by Dean Cornwell, and has been recognized as a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service, and has also been featured in films and television shows, such as The Day After Tomorrow and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, in collaboration with production companies like 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros.. The building has undergone several renovations and expansions, including a major renovation in the 1990s, which added a new wing and atrium, designed by Norman Pfeiffer, and has also been supported by organizations like the Los Angeles Conservancy and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The library system's other branches, such as the Exposition Park Branch and Echo Park Branch, have also been designed by notable architects, including Allison & Allison and Stiles O. Clements, and have been recognized for their architectural significance by organizations like the American Institute of Architects and the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

● Collections

The Los Angeles Public Library has a diverse collection of over 6 million items, including books, DVDs, eBooks, and other materials, such as the Los Angeles Times archives and the California History Collection, which are available for research and borrowing, in partnership with institutions like the University of California, Los Angeles and the California State Library. The library system also has a strong collection of materials related to Los Angeles and California history, including the Los Angeles City Archives and the California State Archives, and has been supported by organizations like the Society of California Pioneers and the California Historical Society. The library system's collections also include materials in over 40 languages, reflecting the diversity of the Los Angeles community, and have been developed in collaboration with organizations like the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

● Services

The Los Angeles Public Library offers a wide range of services, including lending of books, DVDs, and other materials, as well as programs and events for children and adults, such as storytime and author readings, in partnership with organizations like the Los Angeles Times and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The library system also offers research assistance and reference services, including access to databases and online resources, such as JSTOR and ProQuest, and has been supported by institutions like the University of California, Los Angeles and the California State Library. The library system's services also include computer access and Wi-Fi, as well as printing and scanning services, and have been developed in collaboration with organizations like the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

● Branches

The Los Angeles Public Library system has 73 branches, located throughout the city of Los Angeles, including the Exposition Park Branch, Echo Park Branch, and Van Nuys Branch, which offer a range of services and programs, including lending of books and other materials, storytime and author readings, and computer access and Wi-Fi, in partnership with institutions like the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The library system's branches are also designed to serve the diverse needs of the Los Angeles community, with materials and programs available in over 40 languages, and have been supported by organizations like the Society of California Pioneers and the California Historical Society. The library system's branches have also been recognized for their architectural significance by organizations like the American Institute of Architects and the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

● Governance

The Los Angeles Public Library is governed by the Los Angeles Board of Library Commissioners, which is responsible for setting library policy and overseeing the library system's operations, in collaboration with institutions like the Los Angeles City Council and the Los Angeles Mayor's Office. The library system is also supported by the Los Angeles Public Library Foundation, which provides funding for library programs and services, and has been recognized for its efforts by organizations like the American Library Association and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The library system's governance structure also includes a City Librarian, who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the library system, and has been supported by organizations like the Urban Libraries Council and the California Library Association.