Los Angeles Central Library
Photograph: Jakob N. Layman

Los Angeles Central Library

  • Things to do | Literary events
  • Downtown Financial District
  • Recommended
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Time Out says

Designed by Bertram Goodhue, completed in 1926 and renamed after the city's former mayor in 2001, the city's main library is worth a look even if you've no interest in borrowing books. The exterior is a Beaux Arts beauty, topped with a dramatic, tiled pyramid tower and decorated with bas-reliefs by Lee Lawrie.

The main lobby features an unexpectedly colorful ceiling mural by Venice artist Renée Petropoulos; other highlights include a frieze that retells Walter Scott's Ivanhoe (International Languages Department) and a series of murals dedicated to California history (Children's Literature Department). There's also a fine program of lectures and discussions in the Mark Taper Auditorium (for details, see www.lfla.org/aloud).

Details

Address
630 W 5th St
Los Angeles
Opening hours:
Mon-hu 10am-8pm; Fri-Sat 9:30am-5:30pm; Sun 1-5pm
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What’s on

Night at the Library: A Century of Light

Stay past closing time to see a new side of the Central Library at this after-hours festival presented in part by the Library Foundation of Los Angeles and LAist. The halls will come to life with art, music, storytelling and poetry in the form of live performances, interactive installations and hands-on activities. The art deco landmark—which is celebrating its centennial this year—will host contemporary dance in the rotunda, a puppet show by Bob Baker Marionette Theater, sound installations by dublab, live poetry, tarot readings, board games, librarian talks and more. You can even pick up some books to bring home with you at pop-ups from Angel City Press, Skylight Books and the Ripped Bodice, plus treats from Altadena Cookie Company and the Chocolate Dispensary. All in all, it sounds like a quintessentially L.A. night.
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