LAPL Blog

Latest Posts

John Bernhill Phillips, the first designated Central Library director. Shelves of film reels in the Audio-Visual Department
Danielle Ball, Librarian, Business & Economics Department, May 5, 2026

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,...

Pages

Los Angeles Sunday Times article about the library

Happy 90th Birthday, Goodhue Building!

Central Docents, Central Library, Wednesday, June 15, 2016

In July of 1926, Angelenos eagerly awaited the opening of the Los Angeles Central Library's new building, the first permanent home for the fifty-year-old library.


Downtown Los Angeles, George Coupland Thomas, Thomas Brothers Map Company, 1946.

Gay Downtown Los Angeles

Glen Creason, Librarian III, History & Genealogy Department, Monday, June 6, 2016

Previously, in writing about Pershing Square I neglected to describe the essential role the place had in the Gay history of Los Angeles. This post is an attempt to redress that lack of research and to recognize LGBT month at Los Angeles Public Library.


Greg Louganis mid dive

Celebrating the Career of Greg Louganis Through the Lens of the Herald Examiner

Christina Rice, Senior Librarian, Photo Collection, Wednesday, June 1, 2016

The 1984 Olympic Summer Games were a considerable success for the United States as both a host and competitor.


The intersection of Adams and San Pedro today

Revisiting East Adams

Kelly Wallace, Librarian, History Department, Friday, May 20, 2016

If you drive through the neighborhood around the intersection of Adams and San Pedro Street today, you will see a strip mall and on the opposite corner a clothing store. Everywhere you look, there are businesses with signs in Spanish, reflecting the predominantly Latino population.


Aerial view of fire, April 29,1986

April 29 Marks 30th Anniversary of 1986 Fire

Central Docents, Central Library, Friday, April 29, 2016

This year, 2016, marks the 30th anniversary of the most catastrophic fire of a library building in the U.S. It occurred at our Central Library.


image

The Legacy of the Central Library Fire

Christina Rice, Senior Librarian, Photo Collection, Thursday, April 28, 2016

On the morning of April 29, 1986, librarian Dan Dupill was answering telephone calls at the Literature Reference Desk at Central Library. The antiquated phone system was slow, and the volume of calls high in those pre-Internet days, so getting through to a Reference Librarian could be a challenge.


Exterior view of the Flower street entrance of the library

Long Lost Lucretius Poem Still Resonates

Central Docents, Central Library, Friday, April 22, 2016

If you've taken one of our free library tours, we've probably pointed out the quotation over the Flower Street entrance from Lucretius:

“Like runners they bear on the lamp of life."


Ernie Pyle & National Columnists’ Day

Llyr Heller, Senior Librarian, Acquisitions, Tuesday, April 19, 2016

April 18th marks National Columnists’ Day, started in memory of Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, Ernie Pyle, who was killed in World War II. His eloquence in his subject matter, the lives of everyday men in the world of war, struck a chord in America.


tin typeClara Shortridge Foltz

Who the Heck is Clara Shortridge Foltz?

Kelly Wallace, Librarian, History Department, Monday, March 21, 2016

Who hasn’t received that notice in the mail—the one that commands you to report for jury duty at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center?


Luis J Rodriguez

Why Children Should Not be Treated as Adults for Crimes

Luis J. Rodriguez, Poet Laureate of Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Walk with the young, America;
be young, again, America,
among the defiant and awake,
solid in their dreams.
Be the revolution in the marrow
where passions, ideals, fervors,
purpose and courage,
are not just qualities
people had in history books,


Pages

Top