The Library will be closed on Sunday, April 5, 2026, in observance of Easter.

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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...

Four hands fist bumping over some a bottle, some mugs, notebooks, pens, and other stationary stuff.
April 1, 2026 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Starting a business is exciting, but staying compliant, tax-smart, and financially confident is what helps it last.

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...

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...

An old key leans on the spine of an open book.
Every Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.
Are you an English language learner and interested in practicing your reading? This book club is for ESL/ELL adults who want to work on...

Every Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Use lyrics to learn English! In this class you will read and analyze lyrics to expand your vocabulary and improve your understanding of the...

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...



What We're Reading


Recent Blog Posts from LAPL Blog
March 31, 2026
By Danielle Ball, Librarian
Los Angeles Public Library is celebrating 100 years of the Central Library, making this the perfect time to spotlight the exceptional librarians who have overseen this remarkable building and... Continued
March 28, 2026
By Shanna Kim, Children's Librarian
If you're an indie author interested in reaching a wider reading audience, building buzz for your literary work, or you're an avid reader looking for exciting new literary voices in a variety of... Continued
March 26, 2026
By Daryl M., Librarian
Johnny Compton is a Stoker Award-nominated author whose short stories have appeared in Pseudopod, Strange Horizons, The No Sleep Podcast, and several other publications. His fascination with... Continued
March 25, 2026
By Christa Deitrick, Librarian
When I think about Women’s History Month, it conjures up images of suffragettes and mothers, tea and sympathy, trailblazing scientists, sirens, bloody queens, burning bras, shotgun brides, downhill... 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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