LAPL Labs: Creativity Within Reach

Octavia Lab logo

The Octavia Lab, named after the award-winning science fiction author Octavia E. Butler, is a do-it-yourself makerspace located inside the Los Angeles Public Library's historic Central Library. Octavia Lab provides library cardholders free and unlimited access to state-of-the-art design, fabrication, preservation, and story-telling technologies.


Open Hours

  • Monday, Tuesday, Friday & Saturday: 1 - 5 p.m.

  • Wednesday & Thursday: 3:30 - 7:30 p.m.

  • Sunday and City holidays: Closed

Location and Parking Information

The Octavia Lab is located in the Central Library:

630 W. 5th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071
On Lower Level 2 next to the Science, Technology and Patents Department.

Information about parking and accessibility.


Become an Octavia Lab Member

To use the Lab, you must first become a member of the lab, which requires a library card in good standing, photo ID, and a signed user agreement. Lab applications must be filled out and submitted in person during lab hours.

Reservations

Please call the Octavia Lab at 213-228-7150 if you would like to set up a reservation or have any questions.

As a reminder, equipment reservations are only accepted by phone or in person, not by email

Lab tours are available during our hours of operation, and do not require a reservation.

E-mail us with any questions at octavialab@lapl.org.


Class Visits and Field Trips to Octavia Lab

Students of all ages are welcome to the lab to learn and explore the various forms of creative technology available in the Octavia Lab! If you are interested in bringing your students to the lab, please contact Lauren exploreoctavialab@lapl.org to schedule a date and time for your visit.

Each visit includes a tour of the maker space, equipment demonstrations and opportunities to use select equipment.


Equipment

The Octavia Lab’s maker space has tools for all types of creators. Whether you’re recording music, editing photos, or 3D printing your gadgets, the lab is filled with endless opportunities for creation and education. Check out our list of available equipment to inspire your next project or learn something new through in-software tutorials and online learning resources, including LinkedIn Learning, free with your library card.

A 3D printer

Bring your digital creations to life by printing them on one of our 3D printers.

icon depicting a cloud

Itching to record your original music? Looking for a place to edit your student film? Reserve The Studio.

A desktop MAC computer

Design your own graphics, 3D modeling, sounds, and more at one of our Digital Media Stations equipped with Apple Mac computers and Adobe Creative Cloud.


A laser cutter on a desk.

Cut and engrave designs on a number of materials to customize your creations.

A poster printer in the Octavia Lab

Choose from matte or glossy paper when printing images on a large scale with our poster printer.

A Singer sewing machine on a table.

Explore crafts involving textile creations with our sewing machines, serger and computerized embroidery machine.


A vinyl cutter on a table.

Create stickers or heat-transfer designs for custom t-shirts, tote bags and more.

A CNC Mill on a table.

Our Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Mill can design PCB circuit boards in addition to engraving on materials like acrylic, aluminum and more.

The photography studio with lights in the Octavia Lab

Create scenic photos and videos with a backdrop of your choice.


A Happy Japan embroidery machine backlit by a light.

Get creative with our computerized embroidery machine. Customize your own monograms and patches.

A desktop computer screen with an artistic image displayed.

Design, edit photos, paint digitally, create 3D models, mix audio, edit videos, and more.

Electronic and digital equipment in a room set-up for recording a podcast.

Explore our Podcast/Livestream Studios equipped with iMac, recorders, microphones, and live streaming gear.


3D Scanner on a table.

Try our 3D scanner to scan various objects to create digital assets or to 3D print.

The DIY Memory Lab cart.

Use archival-grade equipment to convert your personal audio, photo, video, and more from analog to digital. Orientation Required.


Featured


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Blog Entries

The latest events happening at the Octavia Lab.

black-and-white illustration of Octavia Butler

Octavia Butler

Octavia Lab honors Octavia Butler, a bestselling author and acclaimed pioneer of science fiction who broke ground in the male-dominated genre.


Octavia Butler

Octavia E. Butler and Her Legacy

  • A Handful of Earth, a Handful of Sky: The World of Octavia Butler

    A Handful of Earth, a Handful of Sky: The World of Octavia Butler

    George, Lynell
  • Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures

    Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures

  • Octavia E. Butler: A Literary Companion

    Octavia E. Butler: A Literary Companion

    Snodgrass, Mary Ellen
  • Octavia E. Butler: Kindred, Fledgling, Collected Stories

    Octavia E. Butler: Kindred, Fledgling, Collected Stories

    Butler, Octavia E.
  • Octavia E. Butler: The Last Interview and Other Conversations

    Octavia E. Butler: The Last Interview and Other Conversations

  • Parable of the Sower

    Parable of the Sower

    Butler, Octavia E
  • Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler

    Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler

    Zoboi, Ibi Aanu
  • The Bloomsbury Handbook to Octavia E. Butler

    The Bloomsbury Handbook to Octavia E. Butler

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