Print this page

Central Library

Central Library Exterior
Address:
630 W. 5th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Phone:
213-228-7000
Email:
Contact form
Librarian:
Kren Malone, Director

Hours of Service

Mon: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Tues: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Weds: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Thurs: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Fri: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Sat: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Sun: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Upcoming Events at Central Library
Six young children laughing.
April 20, 2026 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Help your little one prepare for their future in kindergarten! We will be sharing stories, songs, and activities that are focused on...

Tutor working with adult learner.
Mondays at 11 a.m.
Walk-in Tutors assist adult patrons with reading, writing, English conversation, basic technology assistance, job applications, and...

tutor with adult learner
Every Monday from 11:30 a.m. - 12:50 p.m.
In this class, adult learners will increase their vocabulary, including usage and examples. This class is recommended for all English...

Mondays from 1 p.m. - 2:20 p.m.
Speak English with confidence! Adults will use common words and expressions while working on pronunciation. This class focuses on informal...

collaged artwork with the text "collage jam" overlayed.
Mondays from 4 - 5:30 p.m.
Come create collage art and listen to music together. We’ll have lots of cool stuff to cut up for your collages including magazines, comics...

a game of chess being played by two players on a wooden table
Mondays 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Join us for a casual game of chess, all ages and skill levels welcome. Boards and pieces provided. No registration needed.

Dice, checkers, and other pieces to a variety of games strewn across a chess board.
Mondays, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Children aged 5-11 and their families are invited to drop in and play board games, such as Checkers, Jenga, and Sorry. Boards and pieces...

An instructor and a student review a workbook.
Tuesdays at 11 a. m.
Walk-in Tutors assist adult patrons with reading, writing, English conversation, basic technology assistance, job applications, and...

a young African-American man smiling sitting on a couch, looking down at a laptop that's on a small table, with headphones on
Tuesdays from 12 noon - 1 p.m.
Did you know that the Los Angeles Public Library lends e-books, audiobooks, movies, music, magazines, newspapers, comic books, and more to...

Globe chandelier located in the Central Library rotunda
Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m.
Take an hour-long tour through the Los Angeles Central Library. Your docent guide will share stories about the history, art, and...



What We're Reading


Recent Blog Posts from LAPL Blog
April 16, 2026
By Daryl M., Librarian
Rebekah Faubion is a queer author and screenwriter living in Los Angeles. She is the author of rom-coms The Lovers and The Sun and the Moon. She enjoys reading tarot, bingeing horror novels way past... Continued
April 14, 2026
By Tiffney Sanford, Librarian
When Central Library opened in July 1927, the press spoke of lawns (east and west), a Grand Terrace, and Library Park. Today, we can see the beauty of the Maguire Gardens, but we no longer have a... Continued
April 09, 2026
By Daryl M., Librarian
Lily Brooks-Dalton is the author of the national bestseller The Light Pirate, which was the runner-up for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, a #1 Indie Next title, and a New York Times ... Continued
April 07, 2026
By Tiffney Sanford, Librarian
You no doubt know the names of the city's famous fictional private detectives—Philip Marlowe, Easy Rawlins, Jake Gittes—but let me introduce you to Mr. Samuel Wardlaw, Los Angeles Public Library's... Continued

Meeting Rooms

The Literature & Fiction (Upper Level 3) and Business Department (Lower Level 1) have glass-enclosed meeting rooms available for use.

Guidelines

  • Meeting Room hours
    Monday - Thursday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
    Friday - Saturday: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
    Sunday: 1 - 4:30 p.m.
  • Sign ups on the hour or half hour
  • Must have a valid library card
  • Reservations must be made in person, day of and up to one day in advance
  • Two hours per floor per patron
  • Water allowed. No food or drink
  • Three or more people required for large (6 chair) rooms
  • Furniture and chairs must not be moved
  • Dry erase markers and erasers available upon request
  • All library rules apply: Patrons in violation of library rules may be refused service.

Top