The Los Angeles Public Library serves the largest and most diverse population of any library in the United States. Each branch is special, but I love to visit the main branch which is the magnificent Richard J. Riordan Central Library in the heart of Downtown L.A.
It is an easy walk from Pershing Square or the 7th Street L.A. Metro Red Line stations. You can park at a nearby parking garage.
The library is the 3rd largest in the United States in terms of the number of books and periodicals that are stored there with more than 10 million items. They include rare genealogical publications, historic photographs, and U.S. patents. The 8-story building is separated into rooms for topics such as science, philosophy, the arts, and others.
A history of the library building and garden
Architect Bertram Goodhue designed the original building that opened in 1925. He died suddenly in 1924 and his associate Carleton Winslow took over. The Goodhue building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. You don’t want to miss its muraled rotunda that depicts the history of California or its Zodiac Chandelier with 48 lights for each state at the time it was hung.
Everette Perry was the city librarian at the time who designed and organized the floor plan. He also led the fight to fund the construction of the building. Most of the older rooms are now used for exhibitions, office space, and reading rooms as the bulk of the books were moved into the Tom Bradley Wing.
The exterior of the Central Library is designed in the art deco style of the day but artfully references history and culture.
Adjacent to the library is the Maguire Garden which is a popular green space in Downtown L.A with sculptures, water fountains, a grotto, Cyprus trees, and foliage. Robert Maguire was a real estate developer who helped preserve and restore the building after the structure endured devastating arson fires in 1986.
The Tom Bradley Wing
The Central Library closed after the fires and was renovated before opening again with the addition of the Tom Bradley Wing in 1993.
It was named after L.A.’s popular and first African American mayor and was designed by Norman Pfeiffer with the help of other architects in his firm. The atrium is a stunning sight to see with long escalators descending to levels where you can access library sections and rooms. Individual spaces were separated into annexes for topics of interest as well as for children, teens, techies, and language learners.
The impressive three chandeliers that drop down from the top of the atrium were designed by artist Therman Statom and represent nature, science, and the arts.
Auditorium and Galleries
The Central Library’s Mark Taper Auditorium is where you can listen to guest lecturers, and attend seminars, and other events. They are free but require a reservation as they fill up fast.
You can also visit the Getty and Annenberg Galleries that feature art and other exhibitions. The Annenberg has an extraordinary collection of vintage L.A. restaurant menus and historical autographs.
Visit the Los Angeles Central Library
I always stop in at the Central Library Bookstore before I leave. It sells books, cards, gifts, and other collectibles.
The Central Library is located at 630 W. 5th St, Los Angeles, California between Grand Avenue and Hope Street.
Library docents lead tours on weekdays at 12:30 pm. There are three tours on Saturdays at 11 am, 12:30 pm, and 2 pm. You can also pick up a tour guide at the information booth or on the library website.
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