Science, Technology & Patents Department
Located on Lower Level Two (LL2) of the Central Library Tom Bradley Wing
Contact
Phone: 213-228-7200 | Email: science@lapl.org
Department Staff
- Ani Boyadjian, Department Manager | 213-228-7223
- Megan Katz, Senior Librarian | 213-228-7202
Octavia Lab
Octavia Lab Wabpage | Phone: 213-228-7150 | Email: octavialab@lapl.org
Materials & Collections
The Science, Technology & Patents Department has an extremely diversified collection. You can find information on mathematics, computers, cooking, automobile repair, UFOs, restaurant management, construction, engineering, cosmetology, medicine, zoology, botany, agriculture, pets, chemistry, nutrition, psychiatry, hotel management, and consumer information.
The department is the source for consumer information and carries copies of major consumer magazines, including Consumer Reports. The department keeps various resources with new and used car and truck prices, as well as other related sources.
Intellectual Property Resources
The Los Angeles Public Library is a United States Patent & Trademark Resource Center. The department carries British patents back to the 17th Century.
Science & Technology Index
The Central Library is a U.S. and State of California Depository. Documents relating to science and technology can be found in this index.
Environmental Impact Reports
Environmental impact reports for the Greater Los Angeles Area are available through depository arrangements with local government agencies.
Octavia Lab
The Octavia Lab is named after the groundbreaking science fiction author Octavia E. Butler. The do-it-yourself studio space is located on Lower Level 2 of the Central Library. Equipment reservations may be made in person during lab hours or over the phone at 213-228-7150.
BEST Friends
BEST Friends is the support group for the Business & Economics and Science, Technology & Patents Departments. For membership information, please visit the website or e-mail best.friends.lapl@gmail.com
Culinary Historians of Southern California
The Culinary Historians of Southern California (CHSC), founded in 1995, is a group of scholars, cooks, food writers, nutritionists, collectors, students, and others interested in the study of culinary history and gastronomy. For membership information, visit this website.
Research Guides
The Science, Technology & Patents Department has prepared these guides to help you begin research on popular topics:
- Environmental Impact Reports
- Exploring African-American Ingenuity
- Food and Drink
- Holiday Cookery
- Intellectual Property Resources
- Military and Industry Standards and Specifications