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 everything within: its collections, programs, services, and staff. Over several weeks, we're highlighting the individuals who have served as Director of Central Library.
In Part 1 of this series,...


!["Sunny and 75 degrees." Seen in the photograph is a bird perched on a tree branch enjoying the warm Valley weather, [1963]. Photo credit: Jeff Goldwater, Valley Times Collection hand tinted bird photo](https://www.lapl.org/sites/default/files/styles/whats_on_list_120x90/public/blogs/2025-08/springheader.jpg?itok=7srHQDS5)


![Deaf students in a Los Angeles classroom, taught by Mrs. Shirley Butcher, [September 1975]. Photo credit: Bob Steiner, Los Angeles Herald Examiner Photo Collection Deaf students in class](https://www.lapl.org/sites/default/files/styles/whats_on_list_120x90/public/blogs/2019-03/deafheader.jpg?itok=NlLMBt5x)

![Drawing of a scene from Chinatown, Los Angeles, from the book: Eine Blume aus dem Goldenen Lande; oder, Los Angeles, by Archuke Ludwig Salvador, [1878]. Security Pacific National Bank Collection Drawing of a scene from Chinatown, Los Angeles](https://www.lapl.org/sites/default/files/styles/whats_on_list_120x90/public/blogs/2025-08/chinatownheader.png?itok=2YOYJS31)
![Close up of a Junior League tourist map showing a festive looking Chinatown, [ca.1980] The Junior League created this tourist map in 1980 showing a festive looking Chinatown](https://www.lapl.org/sites/default/files/styles/whats_on_list_120x90/public/blogs/2021-04/ctmapheader.jpg?itok=avU8V94t)
![Participants in the Olvera Street Mardi Gras celebrations in fancy costumes, [1995]. Photo credit: Gary Leonard, Los Angeles Photographers Collection Olvera Street Mardi Gras revelers](https://www.lapl.org/sites/default/files/styles/whats_on_list_120x90/public/blogs/2022-03/mardisheader.jpg?itok=WTRJTmtL)
![Underwood (December 17, 1902 - July 3, 1984) was an American journalist and newspaper editor. She worked as a reporter for the Los Angeles Record from 1928 to 1935, and for the Herald-Express from 1935 to 1968. In 1947, Underwood became the first woman in the U.S. to hold a city editorship on a major metropolitan daily, the Herald-Express, [ca. 1933]. Herald Examiner Collection Portrait of Agness "Aggie" May Underwood.](https://www.lapl.org/sites/default/files/styles/whats_on_list_120x90/public/blogs/2025-08/headeraggie2.jpg?itok=P_slD6Wn)