LAPL Blog

Latest Posts

Author Kathleen Kaufman and her latest novel, Fiend
Photo of author: Matt Mendelsohn
Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, September 18, 2025

Alma Katsu is the award-winning, critically acclaimed author of eight novels. Her books have been nominated and won multiple prestigious awards. She has written two spy novels (...

Pages

Tower Reconstruction, 1991.

What Are "Air Rights" and Why Are They Important to Central?

Central Docents, Central Library, Friday, February 10, 2017

The shortest answer to the question of importance is that without the funds which the city received for the sale of the air rights above the Central Library site, we might not have the Goodhue Building today. Instead of being renovated, it easily might have been demolished.


The University of California at Los Angeles after trailing California at Berkeley through the first quarter, finally came into its own at the Memorial Coliseum. In this photo, Kenny Washington, brilliant Bruin halfback, is away to a smashing gain as his teammate, Woody Strode, effectively blocks out the California secondary defense. Dated November 4, 1939

Los Angeles and the Reintegration of the NFL

Bob Timmermann, Senior Librarian, History & Genealogy Department, Friday, February 3, 2017

In 1995, after playing in Southern California for nearly 50 years, the Los Angeles Rams left the West Coast for the Midwest, to become the St. Louis Rams. They would stay there for 21 years, winning one Super Bowl title and losing in a second, before coming back to the Southland last year.


poster art, resistance

The Resistance Lives!

Ani Boyadjian, Principal Librarian, Research and Special Collections, Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Resist!

Winter Dellenbach, activist, attorney, and proud first organizer of the Los Angeles Resistance, often ends her email correspondence with that simple call. Resist!


image

Going for the Gold: African Americans and the 1984 Olympic Summer Games

Christina Rice, Senior Librarian, Photo Collection, Wednesday, February 1, 2017

On January 25, 2017, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously voted to give its final approval to the city’s bid to host the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.


In 1966, Yvonne Brathwaite Burke became the first African American woman elected to the California Assembly, and in 1972, was the first woman elected to the House.

Against All Odds: State & Local African American Politicians in the 1960s

Christina Rice, Senior Librarian, Photo Collection, Monday, January 30, 2017

The 1960s were a transformative period for the country with Civil Rights at the forefront. African Americans gained traction in political positions both at the state and local level, and Los Angeles was no exception. Fortunately, Rolland Curtis was around to document many of these leaders.


1926 Mural

Original Children's Room Holds Art and ... Secrets!

Central Docents, Central Library, Wednesday, December 14, 2016

I love taking tours through the old children’s room in the Central Library because it’s the only place in the building where one can stand close enough to the ceiling to see how artist Julian Garnsey’s painting skill created the illusion of wooden beams. The secret behind the illusion?


Alonso Nuñez

Ese-í, sí: entrevista con Alonso Núñez

Patricia Tarango, Senior Librarian, Alma Reaves Woods - Watts Branch Library, Thursday, December 8, 2016

Si tiene un hijo al que no le gusta ir a la escuela, el libro Ene-o, no es para usted. En este libro el pequeño protagonista se imagina lo peor, pero al final se da cuenta que la escuela tiene su lado bueno.


Mitchell Red Cloud

Honoring Native American Veterans

Deborah Savage, Librarian, History & Genealogy Department, Monday, November 21, 2016

November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the cultures, histories, traditions, and achievements of Native people. We also honor veterans this month, on November 11.


Sphinxes

Are There Hidden Masonic Symbols on the Los Angeles Central Library? Part 2

Central Docents, Central Library, Tuesday, November 15, 2016

In Part 1 of our post we looked at sculpture on the library’s exterior as it reflects an overall theme, The Light of Learning.


Day of the Dead

El Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead (Bilingual)

Lupita Leyva, Senior Librarian, Robert Louis Stevenson Branch Library, Thursday, October 27, 2016

El Día de los Muertos


Pages

Top