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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
A teacher reading a newspaper with a student
Wednesdays at 11 a.m.
Walk-in Tutors assist adult patrons with reading, writing, English conversation, basic technology assistance, job applications, and...

Several children and adults watch a woman with long dark hair holding a picture book.
Wednesdays at 11 a.m.
Stories, songs, movement, and more for children aged 18 months to 5 years and their parents/caregivers. For more information, please...

Instructor and students in a classroom
Every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. - 12:50 p.m.
Practice your English by reading short stories and passages in a classroom setting. Improve your comprehension, pronunciation and...

A woman cuts pink paper, art supplies are on a table in front of her.
Wednesdays at 12 noon
Take some time for your creative pursuits and chat with fellow art-makers in this virtual studio hour. Please bring whatever creative...

neon Philippes French Dip sign over a sunset
April 15, 2026 12:15 PM to 1:30 PM
LAPL Photo Collection welcomes Los Angeles photographer Connie Conway, who will present her images that capture the beauty and essence of...

globe next to a rainbow stack of books with text that reads, Armenian for Beginners
Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m.
Armenian for beginners.

Globe chandelier located in the Central Library rotunda
Wednesdays 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...

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

Chalk drawing for Teens
Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m.
Join us for this designing, interactive, Art experience! You will learn strategies and techniques for using chalk drawing to create your...

An instructor and a student review a workbook.
Wednesdays at 5:00 p.m.
Walk-in Tutors assist adult patrons with reading, writing, English conversation, basic technology assistance, job applications, and...



What We're Reading


Recent Blog Posts from LAPL Blog
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
April 06, 2026
By Elizabeth Graney, Librarian
If you've heard it once, you've heard it a million times—the book was better! There's nothing like debating the differences between a favorite book and its translation to the screen. But if you don't... 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.

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