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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
Map for Central Library Branch

Click map for detailed view, directions, and transit info.

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
Librarian reads to babies, toddlers, and adults.
Wednesdays at 11 a.m.
Preschool Storytime
Stories, songs, movement, and more for children aged 18 months to 5 years and their parents/caregivers.

For more information, please...
A volunteer walk-in tutor working with a learner.
Every Wednesday at 11:00 a.m.
Walk-in Tutoring With Norma
Would you like to improve your reading, writing, or conversation skills? Adults can work with a tutor for 20 minutes. Walk-in tutoring is...
group of adult lerners at desks
Every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. - 12:50 p.m.
Writing Skills Class (Intermediate Level) With Chun
This class will teach adult learners writing strategies for everyday use, such as writing emails, letters, and messages. The class will...
Paper collage with inspirational words
Wednesdays at 12 noon
Weekly Art Circle
Take some time for your creative pursuits with fellow art-makers in this virtual studio hour. Please bring whatever creative project you're...
globe next to a rainbow stack of books with text that reads, Armenian for Beginners
Wednesdays at 1 p.m.
Armenian for Beginners
Armenian for beginners.
Volunteer teacher helping learner in classroom.
Every Wednesday from 1 p.m. - 2:20 p.m.
English Conversation Class (Intermediate Level) With Norma
Speak English with confidence! Adults will use common words and expressions. This class focuses on informal and practical English for work...
Volunteer teacher helping learners in the classroom.
Every Wednesday from 4 p.m. - 5:20 p.m.
English Conversation Class for Beginners With Leoisee
This class teaches emerging and beginner learners the pronunciation, listening, reading, and writing skills needed to engage in...
Baby sits on a colorful floor in front of an equally colorful parachute.
Thursday mornings at 11 a.m.
Baby & Me
Activities and play to help babies 0-18 months and their parents/caregivers bond. For more information, please contact children@lapl.org.
A volunteer walk-in tutor working with a learner.
Every Thursday at 11 a.m.
Walk-in Tutoring With Kathleen
Would you like to improve your reading, writing, or conversation skills? Adults can work with a tutor for 15-20 minutes. Walk-in tutoring...
an artist painting on a canvas
May 16, 2024 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Works in Progress With Shing Yin Khor, LAPL Creator in Residence
Shing Yin Khor, one of the two 2023/24 LAPL Creators in Residence, will be in the Central Library rotunda creating art in real time!
More Events at Central Library


What We're Reading

LAPL Reads: Recommendations | Book Lists | New Books | Catalog

Recent Blog Posts from LAPL Blog
May 15, 2024
Looking at Art: The Art of Advertising in Vintage California Business Directories
By Maya Peterpaul, Librarian
Vintage city directories contained alphabetized lists of the names of residents and their street addresses (if they existed). Additional information could include their occupation, spouse, property... Continued
May 13, 2024
Interview With AAPI Author Dr. Leana Wen
Dr. Leana Wen (pronounced Lee-nah) is an emergency physician and nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. She is a columnist for The Washington Post, where she writes a twice-weekly... Continued
May 10, 2024
Read It First! Movie Adaptations in Theaters This Month
By Elizabeth Graney, Librarian
If you've heard it once, you've heard it a million times—the book was better! There's nothing like debating the differences between a favorite book and its translation to the screen. But if you don't... Continued
May 09, 2024
Not a Dragon, Not a Dog: A Guardian Lion
By Jennifer Siron, Senior Librarian
Curious about the guardian lion? The guardian lion, also known as Komainu, Shishi, or Fu Lion, symbolizes prosperity, success, and guardianship. These mythical guardian lions have special protective... Continued

All Posts from LAPL Blog

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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