Central+Library

The Central Library of the Los Angeles Public Library System

Tony De La Cruz Kaitlyn Peterson Edited by: Grace Peek and Amanda Hollis on 5-16-14 The Central Library is located at 620 W. Fifth Street in Los Angeles, California. Its zip code is 90071. []

by Dean Cornwell Depicting four great eras of California history, including discovery, mission building, Americanization and the founding of Los Angeles: the beginnings of arts and industry: and conquering of the elements in California. Completed in 1932, their color values were purposely restrained to harmonize with the many-colored mosaic-like dome decorations by Julian E. Garnsey.
 * Lodwrick M. Cook Rotunda** on the second floor

West Entrance through the Maguire Gardens. The Tom Bradley Wing Central Library, located at 630 W. 5th Street in downtown Los Angeles, was designed by architects Bertram G. Goodhue and Carlton M. Winslow. Constructed between 1922-1926, it was designed to mimic the architecture of ancient Egypt, complete with a tiled mosaic pyramid tower and many beautiful murals throughout. Tragic fires in 1986 destroyed part of the building along with 20 percent of the library's collection, prompting a closure for 6 years while restoration took place. The renovation was completed in 1993, and the library reopened on October 3, 1993. The Los Angeles Public Library is the third largest public library in the United States in terms of books and periodical holdings, boasting over 6 million volumes. It was added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1970

The historic Central Library Goodhue building was constructed in 1926 and is a Downtown Los Angeles landmark. 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 Klein Smid The new wing of Central Library, completed in 1993, was named in honor of former mayor Tom Bradley. 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.
 * <  || Interior view of the History Department at Los Angeles Central Library, showing several tables throughout. Note the colorful ceiling beams and checkerboard floor. Along the perimeter of the department are the California History Murals painted by Albert Herter. Pictured are (left wall, l to r): "The Building of a Mission", "Jose Gaspar de Portola", "Juan Bautista de Anza", and "Fiesta at a Mission"; along the back wall (l to r): "Raising the flag at Monterrey", and "Finding of Gold in '49"; and along the right wall (between the windows): "Relief ship at San Diego". Not pictured is "The Landing of Cabrillo at Catalina Island". These eight panels - significant events in California history - were painted in oil on canvas and were originally hung in the Hope Street tunnel entrance to the library, but were moved to what was then the History Reading Room because of water seepage and poor lighting in the tunnel. As a result of the cleaning of the murals after the library fires in 1986, one can clearly see in at least one of the murals how they were expanded to fit the space in their new location. The History Department was previously known as the Reference Room - which was the largest reading room of the library. Today, this room is the Children's Literature Department. Albert Herter, an artist and painter of international reputation, painted canvases depicting epic events in the history of California and was celebrated for his historical murals. Herter died in 1950 in Santa Barbara, California at the age of 79. Photograph dated: January 22, 1961. ||

The Departments:

1. Art, Music, and Recreation 2. Business and Economics 3. Children's Literature 6. Literature and Fiction 7. Popular Library 8. Rare Books 9. Science, Technology, and Patents

The Los Angeles Public Library’s Central Library is the third largest central library in the nation. Its subject departments contain more than 2.6 million books; 10,000 magazine subscriptions; almost 3 million historic photographs, 5 million U.S. patents, plus language learning and multi-media materials. The Central Library is the headquarters for the Los Angeles Public Library, which includes 72 branch libraries.


 * Originally opened in 1926. Arson fires in 1986 closed the historic building and accelerated the building’s renovation and expansion. The “new” Central Library opened to the public in October 1993 and attracted over 80,000 people on opening day.
 * The building features 538,000 square feet of space on 8 floors, nearly 89 miles of shelves and seating for over 1,400 people.
 * The building includes the:
 * The Singleton Adult Literacy Center
 * <span style="background-color: #f3f1f0; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif; font-family: inherit;">The popular Library, a “library within the library” offering popular high-demand, books, magazines, DVS, and CDs.
 * <span style="background-color: #f3f1f0; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif; font-family: inherit;">235-seat Taper Auditorium;
 * <span style="background-color: #f3f1f0; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif; font-family: inherit;">KLOS Story Theater for children’s programs and puppet shows;
 * <span style="background-color: #f3f1f0; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif; font-family: inherit;">The Getty Gallery and First Floor Galleries for exhibitions;
 * <span style="background-color: #f3f1f0; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif; font-family: inherit;">The Library Store;
 * <span style="background-color: #f3f1f0; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif; font-family: inherit;">a food court; and The Maguire Gardens, a 1.5 acre public park adjoining the library.
 * <span style="background-color: #f3f1f0; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif; font-family: inherit;">There are 255 free public access computers located in the Computer Center and throughout the building. Internet access is also provided by Wi-fi.
 * <span style="background-color: #f3f1f0; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif; font-family: inherit;">LAUSD Electronic Information Magnet High School uses the Central Library as its classroom.