Central 100 Celebration

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Celebrating a Century of the Light of Learning

Dedicated in July 1926, the Los Angeles Central Library became an instant architectural icon and guiding light of learning for the City. For this significant milestone, the Los Angeles Public Library is pleased to present Central 100, a year-long celebration that brings together residents from all corners of Los Angeles.

Join us for centennial events befitting a crown jewel of the City of Angels: Central Library, the anchor of the Los Angeles Public Library system!


Amiee Semple in 1926 on the radio

Podcast

Listen to Past Due: 100 Years of Central Library, a podcast series that delves into Central Library's history, controversies, and hidden lore.

library card with pyramid top

Library Card

Celebrate 100 years of Central Library with a limited-edition library card, available at all Los Angeles Public Library locations while supplies last.

library postcard cover

Exhibitions

Stroll through Central Library's history and how it continues to serve the City through several exhibitions and displays, including a featured partnership with Historiart and Gallery 1988.

central library pyramid

Blog Posts

Discover Central Library's history, art, and architecture through informative and well-researched blog posts.

central library opening 1926

Timeline

Explore Central Library’s story, from the 1921 voter-approved bond that made it possible, to the present day.

card catalog with stamp

Card Catalog Stamp Collection

Starting February 16, pick up a set of historic card catalog cards at any LAPL location. Carry them with you. Stamp them at our branches. Make them your own.

coloring page of globe

Beanstack Challenge

Starting February 16, pick up a coloring page at any LAPL location to participate in this special color-by-number challenge!

library print

The Library Store

Pick up Central 100 commemorative merchandise, including limited-edition prints created in partnership with Historiart and Gallery 1988.


Community Oral History

Share your stories and memories of Central Library via a short video recording that will become part of the LAPL Archives.

Books on Central Library

  • Los Angeles in Maps

    Los Angeles in Maps

    Creason, Glen.
  • Architecture Transformed: New Life for Old Buildings

    Architecture Transformed: New Life for Old Buildings

    Greer, Nora Richter.
  • Bunker Hill in the Rearview Mirror: The Rise, Fall and Rise Again of an Urban Neighborhood

    Bunker Hill in the Rearview Mirror: The Rise, Fall and Rise Again of an Urban Neighborhood

  • Feels Like Home: Reflections on Central Library

    Feels Like Home: Reflections on Central Library

  • L is for Librarian: The ABCs of Los Angeles Central Library

    L is for Librarian: The ABCs of Los Angeles Central Library

    Lendroth, Susan
  • L.A. Landmarks: Lost and Almost Lost

    L.A. Landmarks: Lost and Almost Lost

    Olnick, Cindy.
  • Los Angeles Central Library POPS: Celebrating a Century of the Light of Learning

    Los Angeles Central Library POPS: Celebrating a Century of the Light of Learning

    Rice, Christina
  • Los Angeles Central Library: A History of Its Art and Architecture

    Los Angeles Central Library: A History of Its Art and Architecture

    Gee, Stephen
  • Shades of L.A.: Pictures from Ethnic Family Albums

    Shades of L.A.: Pictures from Ethnic Family Albums

  • Songs in the Key of Los Angeles: Sheet Music from the Collection of the Los Angeles Public Library

    Songs in the Key of Los Angeles: Sheet Music from the Collection of the Los Angeles Public Library

  • Spine: An Account of the Jud Fine Art Plan at the Maguire Gardens, Central Library, Los Angeles

    Spine: An Account of the Jud Fine Art Plan at the Maguire Gardens, Central Library, Los Angeles

    Fine, Jud
  • The Library Book

    The Library Book

    Orlean, Susan

    On the surface, The Library Book is about the history of the Los Angeles Public Library, particularly about the devastating fire

  • The Light of Learning: An Illustrated History of the Los Angeles Public Library

    The Light of Learning: An Illustrated History of the Los Angeles Public Library

    Soter, Bernadette Dominique
  • The Los Angeles Central Library: Building an Architectural Icon, 1872-1933

    The Los Angeles Central Library: Building an Architectural Icon, 1872-1933

    Breisch, Kenneth A,
  • To Live and Dine in L.A.: Menus and the Making of the Modern City

    To Live and Dine in L.A.: Menus and the Making of the Modern City

    Kun, Josh.

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