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The Library will close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 in observance of New Year's Eve
and will be closed on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, in observance of New Year’s Day.

Read Freely With Los Angeles Public Library

The Los Angeles Public Library is making a selection of the most challenged books reported to the American Library Association available to anyone in the United States ages 13 and up.

If you live in the City of Los Angeles, sign up for our full service e-card to access the Library's entire collection. California residents may also obtain a full service Los Angeles Public Library card by visiting any of our locations.

Read Freely Card Application

Complete the online application below, and you will instantly receive your digital card number by email. .

Once you've submitted your application, visit the Read Freely Collection and enter your card number to start reading. You can also read on the Libby app, available for Android or iOS.

Please note that this card provides access exclusively to the Read Freely collection. Other online resources provided by the Los Angeles Public Library require a full service library card.

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Support Your Library

Why support the Library?

The Los Angeles Public Library serves the largest most diverse population of any library in the United States.

Through its Central Library and 72 branches, the Los Angeles Public Library provides free and easy access to information, ideas, books and technology that enrich, educate and empower every individual in our city's diverse communities.

With more people than ever before using the library—a record 17 million last year alone—your support helps the Library provide people with the resources they need to succeed and thrive.

How to support the Library

You can support the Los Angeles Public Library in several ways:

Join a “Friends” group. There is a “Friends of the Library” group for most branch libraries and departments of the Central Library. Friends groups raise money for improvements to their library through memberships, used book sales and other activities. For more information click here or talk to your local librarian.

Join the Library Foundation of Los Angeles. The Library Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises funds for Library enhancement programs such as adult and early literacy, children and teen reading clubs, technology, and cultural programs. Foundation members receive a variety of benefits with their membership. For more information, see http://www.lfla.org.

Make a donation by check to the Los Angeles Public Library and send it to:
Support the Library, 630 W. Fifth St., Los Angeles CA 90071 or call (213) 228-7272.

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