150th Anniversary Celebration | Los Angeles Public Library

150 Logo for Library celebration

Celebrate With Us

Library Timeline

Explore the path from the library’s humble beginnings in 1872 to present day Central Library and 72 neighborhood libraries.

Three people in front of a Library Bookmobile, circa 1950.

Our Story is Yours Exhibit

An exhibition of images and objects of the library's history from its earliest days until now, which celebrates the story of Los Angeles through the lens of the library.

Their.Story

Share your library memories using this web-based storytelling platform to help collect and preserve the stories that connect us.

LAPL Institutional Archive

The Los Angeles Public Library Institutional Archive chronicles the library's history from its inception to the present day

A coloring sheet featuring an iconic statue at the Central Library.

Sesquicentennial Coloring Page

Enjoy this free printable coloring sheet for the library’s anniversary.

A cropped portion of the library's 150th Anniversary Limited Edition Poster

Commemorative Poster

In collaboration with Gallery 1988, limited edition posters celebrating the library's 150th anniversary were created by graphic designers DKNG. Read all 150 titles featured on the poster.

Copies are available to purchase from The Library Store, while supplies last.

Find A Library

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Support Your Library

Why support the Library?

The Los Angeles Public Library serves the largest most diverse population of any library in the United States.

Through its Central Library and 72 branches, the Los Angeles Public Library provides free and easy access to information, ideas, books and technology that enrich, educate and empower every individual in our city's diverse communities.

With more people than ever before using the library—a record 17 million last year alone—your support helps the Library provide people with the resources they need to succeed and thrive.

How to support the Library

You can support the Los Angeles Public Library in several ways:

Join a “Friends” group. There is a “Friends of the Library” group for most branch libraries and departments of the Central Library. Friends groups raise money for improvements to their library through memberships, used book sales and other activities. For more information click here or talk to your local librarian.

Join the Library Foundation of Los Angeles. The Library Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises funds for Library enhancement programs such as adult and early literacy, children and teen reading clubs, technology, and cultural programs. Foundation members receive a variety of benefits with their membership. For more information, see http://www.lfla.org.

Make a donation by check to the Los Angeles Public Library and send it to:
Support the Library, 630 W. Fifth St., Los Angeles CA 90071 or call (213) 228-7272.