Online images have been carefully selected to represent the history ofLos Angeles and California as well as Southern California life. The photos include frequently requested subjects. Examples of what you will find include community names, people's names, and specific subjects such as major crimes, demonstrations, politics, and sports events. Additional images are added to the online collection monthly.
A large percentage of the photos from the Herald Examiner collection have not been digitized, though many images in this collection originated from wire services and entertainment studios and are therefore the property of the originating source. Images relating to sports, industry, and transportation in the Security Pacific National Bank Collection are largely not digitized, along with most of the Ingersoll portrait collection.
All library users can search the online collection in Tessa. The photo collection itself is not available for in-person browsing.
Patrons with specific needs beyond what is available in the online collection can discuss their project goals with a staff member to determine whether anything in the collection will complement the project. Inquiries can be directed to photos@lapl.org, and a staff member will normally respond within 2 business days with more information.
Ordering and use information, including a non-negotiable fee schedule can be viewed here.
Orders can be sent most promptly if the library's order form is filled out carefully, the correct amount of money is sent, and the request is for digital images to be e-mailed to you. Extra services such as re-scanning or creation of prints will require additional time. Requests are filled in the order received.
Payment is made by a check drawn on a United States bank or credit card (Visa or MasterCard).
No, although we hope to provide this option in the future. Payment by check or credit card information must accompany the order.
The library requests that you first search the online database. Images that reflect frequent requests on Los Angeles history topics have been put online as an aid for researchers. Images include major landmarks, buildings, streets, communities, sports, personalities and events.
Print and complete the library's [order form], and include the specs you are looking for. If you are getting a digital image, The library charges for the "Higher Res Rescan" plus the current usage fee for category "Commercial decor, per image, basic fee for one time use" per photograph. If you are getting a digital print from the library, the cost is a $30 set up fee plus 10 cents per Sq. In. of printing, plus the usage fee.
The library cannot predict the quality outcome when images are printed at large sizes. Historical photographs vary in quality but because they are historic, enlarging them rarely takes away their charm and interest. Please note that some original images are very small so extreme enlargement may create a grainy effect.
The quality of the images on the Web is not intended for reproduction, but for student use and others' use in evaluating the image for reproduction. The library wants patrons to use the best quality images in their projects because they represent the archive and the quality of material the library provides to the public.
Please contact us. A staff member will normally respond to your query within 2 business days.
The library began collecting images in the 1940s and most of the collections have been acquired via donations.
We do accept donations for the collection, though are not in a position to purchase photos. We follow these parameters for accepting donations:
If these parameters are acceptable, samples for review along with an overview of the donation (number of prints, general subjects, dates, etc) can be emailed to photos@lapl.org so we can determine if they fit within our scope.