LA County Library
Map
33°55′40″N 118°09′41″W / 33.92778°N 118.16139°W / 33.92778; -118.16139
LocationDowney, Los Angeles County, California, United States
TypePublic
Established1912
Reference to legal mandateCounty Free Library Act
Branches86
Collection
Size4,799,808
Criteria for collectionCounty residents
Access and use
Circulation13,026,434
Population served3,375,417
Members3,045,433
Other information
BudgetUS$131,063,244 (2015/16)[1]
DirectorSkye Patrick, County Librarian
Employees1,483 (2010)[1]
Websitewww.lacountylibrary.org
References: [2]
Reading areas at West Hollywood Library

LA County Library is one of the largest public library systems in the United States[3] which serves residents living in 49 of the 88 incorporated cities of Los Angeles County, California. United States, and those living in unincorporated areas resulting in a service area extending over 3,000 square miles (7,800 km2).[4] The LA County Library system provides local libraries to several unincorporated areas and cities across Los Angeles County, and is not to be confused with the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) system, which serves areas within the city of Los Angeles.

History

On February 25, 1911, California enacted the County Free Library Law, by which all county governments were authorized to establish a "county free library" to serve all areas of the county where cities and towns had not already established free public libraries.[5] This led to the establishment of the Los Angeles County Free Library, later to become the Los Angeles County Public Library system of branches. Circa 1914, the collection was kept on the “10th floor of the Hall of Records, North Broadway and Franklin Streets.”[6]

The library system, headquartered in Downey, California, is overseen by the Library Commission of 20 appointed members who report on administration, operation, and service to the County Board of Supervisors who operate County Library as a special fund department.[7]

Skye Patrick was appointed County Librarian on February 1, 2016.[8]

Partnerships and community outreach

LA County Library initiated a partnership with the Los Angeles County Probation Department to serve systems-involved youth with an institutional library at Central Juvenile Hall. It offers collections and trained librarians to help improve literacy, teach parenting skills, and encourage respectful interactions. Programming at five Probation Juvenile Day Reporting Centers teaches life skills, builds self-confidence, and introduces potential career paths.[9]

LA County Library also partnered with County of Los Angeles departments to implement lived experience programs aimed at redirecting youth from engaging in at-risk behaviors. The My Brother's Keeper Peer Advocate program hires young adults of color with lived experience as advisors and liaisons. These Peer Advocates build community relationships, develop programming, and raise awareness of Library services.[10]

LA County Library launched three book kiosks located at County housing sites: Cedar Springs Housing in La Verne serving transition age youth, tenants with mental health disorders, and low-income families; Carmelitos in Long Beach; and Nueva Maravilla Senior Housing in East Los Angeles.[11] The Library installed bookshelves at 10 barbershops across South Los Angeles to encourage reading for boys ages 4 – 8 to help minimize the literacy gap between young men of color and their peers.[12]

In honor of Banned Books Week, LA County Library joined Books Unbanned in October 2023.[13] This service provides free library cards to all California residents ages 13-18.[14]

Awards and accolades

LA County Library was a finalist for the IMLS National Medal in 2018 and 2019.[15][16]

LA County Library won the 2018 Marketer of the Year Award,[17] the 2019 Librarian of the Year Award for Skye Patrick,[18] and the 2019 Library of the Year Award. All three awards were from Library Journal, and this was the first time a single organization held all three awards at the same time.[19]

In 2023, LA County Library was selected as one of eight recipients of the 2023 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that demonstrate excellence in service to their communities.[20]

Services and resources

The library provides many resources, including literacy services and programs for families and children.[21]

The library system offers consumer health information under CHIPS (Consumer Health Information Program and Services).

Branches

Name Photograph Address Community Notes
A.C. Bilbrew Library 150 E El Segundo Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90061 Willowbrook Named for A. C. Bilbrew
Acton Agua Dulce Library 33792 Crown Valley Rd, Acton, CA 93510 Acton
Alondra Library 11949 Alondra Blvd, Norwalk, CA 90650 Norwalk
Agoura Hills Library 29901 Ladyface Court, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 Agoura Hills
Angelo M. Iacoboni Library 4990 Clark Ave, Lakewood, CA 90712 Lakewood
Anthony Quinn Library 3965 Cesar E Chavez Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90063 East Los Angeles
Artesia Library 18801 Elaine Ave, Artesia, CA 90701 Artesia
Avalon Library 215 Sumner Ave, Avalon, CA 90704 Avalon
Carson Library 151 E Carson St, Carson, CA 90745 Carson
Castaic Library 27971 Sloan Canyon Rd, Castaic, CA 91384 Castaic
Charter Oak Library 20540 E Arrow Highway Suite K, Covina, CA 91724 Charter Oak
Chet Holifield Library 1060 S Greenwood Ave, Montebello, CA 90640 Montebello
City Terrace Library 4025 E City Terrace Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90063 City Terrace
Claremont Helen Renwick Library 208 N Harvard Ave, Claremont, CA 91711 Claremont
Clifton M. Brakensiek Library 9945 E Flower St, Bellflower, CA 90706 Bellflower
Compton Library 240 W Compton Blvd, Compton, CA 90220 Compton
Cudahy Library 5218 Santa Ana St, Cudahy, CA 90201 Cudahy
Culver City Julian Dixon Library 4975 Overland Ave, Culver City, CA 90230 Culver City
Diamond Bar Library 21800 Copley Dr, Diamond Bar, CA Diamond Bar
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library 17906 S Avalon Blvd, Carson, CA 90746 Carson
Duarte Library 1301 Buena Vista St, Duarte, CA 91010 Duarte
East Los Angeles Library 4837 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90022 East Los Angeles
El Camino Real Library 4264 E Whittier Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90023 East Los Angeles
El Monte Library 3224 Tyler Ave, El Monte, CA 91731 El Monte
Florence Library 7807 Compton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90001 Florence-Graham
Gardena Mayme Dear Library 1731 W Gardena Blvd, Gardena, CA 90247 Gardena
George Nye Jr. Library 16600 Del Amo Blvd, Lakewood, CA 90713 Cerritos
Graham Library 1900 E Firestone Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90001 Firestone Park
Hacienda Heights Library 16010 La Monde St, Hacienda Heights, CA Hacienda Heights
Hawaiian Gardens Library 11940 Carson St, Hawaiian Gardens, CA Hawaiian Gardens
Hawthorne Library 12700 Grevillea Ave, Hawthorne, CA 90250 Hawthorne
Hermosa Beach Library 550 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA Hermosa Beach
Hollydale Library 12000 Garfield Ave, South Gate, CA 90280 South Gate
Huntington Park Library 6518 Miles Ave, Huntington Park, CA Huntington Park
La Cañada Flintridge Library 4545 N Oakwood Ave, La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011 La Cañada Flintridge
La Crescenta Library 2809 Foothill Blvd, La Crescenta, CA 91214 La Crescenta
La Mirada Library 13800 La Mirada Blvd, La Mirada, CA 90638 La Mirada
La Puente Library 15920 E Central Ave, La Puente, CA 91744 La Puente
La Verne Library 3640 D St, La Verne, CA 91750 La Verne
Lake Los Angeles Library 16921 E Avenue O, #A, Palmdale, CA 93591 Lake Los Angeles
Lancaster Library 601 W Lancaster Blvd, Lancaster, CA 93534 Lancaster
Lawndale Library 14615 Burin Ave, Lawndale, CA 90260 Lawndale
Leland R. Weaver Library 4035 Tweedy Blvd, South Gate, CA 90280 South Gate
Lennox Library 4359 Lennox Blvd, Lennox, CA 90304 Lennox
Littlerock Library 35119 80th St East, Littlerock, CA 93543 Littlerock
Live Oak Library 22 W Live Oak Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007 Arcadia
Lloyd Taber-Marina del Rey Library 4533 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, CA Marina del Rey
Lomita Library 24200 Narbonne Ave, Lomita, CA 90717 Lomita
Los Nietos Library 8511 Duchess Drive, Whittier, CA 90606 West Whittier-Los Nietos
Lynwood Library 11320 Bullis Rd, Lynwood, CA 90262 Lynwood
Malibu Library 23519 W Civic Center Way, Malibu, CA 90265 Malibu
Manhattan Beach Library 1320 Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA Manhattan Beach
Masao W. Satow Library 14433 Crenshaw Blvd, Gardena, CA 90249 Gardena
Maywood César Chávez Library 4323 E Slauson Ave, Maywood, CA 90270 Maywood
Montebello Library 1550 W Beverly Blvd, Montebello, CA 90640 Montebello
Norwalk Library 12350 Imperial Hwy, Norwalk, CA 90650 Norwalk
Norwood Library 4550 N Peck Rd, El Monte, CA 91732 El Monte
Paramount Express Library 13451 Merkel Ave, Paramount, CA 90723 Paramount
Pico Rivera Library 9001 Mines Ave, Pico Rivera, CA 90660 Pico Rivera
Quartz Hill Library 5040 West Avenue M-2, Quartz Hill, CA 93536 Quartz Hill
Rivera Library 7828 S Serapis Ave, Pico Rivera, CA 90660 Pico Rivera
Rosemead Library 8800 Valley Blvd, Rosemead, CA 91770 Rosemead
Rowland Heights Library 1850 Nogales Street, Rowland Heights, CA 91748 Rowland Heights
San Dimas Library 145 N Walnut Ave, San Dimas, CA 91773 San Dimas
San Fernando Library 217 N Maclay Ave, San Fernando, CA San Fernando
San Gabriel Library 500 S Del Mar Ave, San Gabriel, CA 91776 San Gabriel
San Gabriel Library 500 S Del Mar Ave, San Gabriel, CA 91776 San Gabriel
Sorensen Library 6934 Broadway Ave, Whittier, CA 90606 Whittier
South El Monte Library 1430 North Central Avenue, South El Monte, CA 91733 South El Monte
South Whittier Library 11543 Colima Road, Whittier, CA 90604 Whittier
Stevenson Ranch Library 25950 The Old Road, Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381 Stevenson Ranch
Sunkist Library 840 N Puente Ave, La Puente, CA 91746 La Puente
Temple City Library 5939 Golden West Ave., Temple City, CA 91780 Temple City
Topanga Library 122 N Topanga Canyon Blvd, Topanga, CA 90290 Topanga
View Park BeBe Moore Campbell Library 3854 W 54th St, Los Angeles, CA 90043 View Park Named for Bebe Moore Campbell
Walnut Library 21155 La Puente Rd, Walnut, CA 91789 Walnut
West Covina Library 1601 W West Covina Pkwy, West Covina, CA 91790 West Covina
West Hollywood Library 625 N San Vicente Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069 West Hollywood
Westlake Village Library 31220 Oak Crest Dr, Westlake Village, CA 91361 Westlake Village
Willowbrook Library 11737 Wilmington Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90059 Willowbrook
Wiseburn Library 5335 W 135th St, Hawthorne, CA 90250 Hawthorne
Woodcrest Library 1340 W 106th St, Los Angeles, CA 90044 Westmont

Bookmobiles

COVID-19 response

When LA County Library was forced to close its doors in March 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Library established a Laptop & Hotspot Loan service, expanded Wi-Fi service to Library parking lots with Park & Connect, and developed virtual programs on YouTube and Webex Events for all ages and interests, such as programs about distance learning and workforce development.[22]

References

  1. ^ a b "Statistics County of Los Angeles Public Library". Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  2. ^ Skye Patrick (2017). "Statistical Information Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2016". LA County Library. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  3. ^ "ALA Library Fact Sheet 22 - The Nation's Largest Libraries". American Library Association. September 2011. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
  4. ^ "Statistics | County of Los Angeles Public Library". lacountylibrary.org. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
  5. ^ County Free Library Law, Cal. Stats., 39th reg. sess., 1911, ch. 68, pp. 80-85.
  6. ^ Standard Guide to Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Panama-California Exposition. Press Association. 1914.
  7. ^ "Public Records". County of Los Angeles Public Library. 2009. Archived from the original on April 26, 2010. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
  8. ^ "L.A. County chooses new librarian". www.signalscv.com. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  9. ^ "LA County Library". LA County Library. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  10. ^ "YOUR GIFT MATTERS | LA County Library Foundation". laclf. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  11. ^ "LA County Library Installs Innovative Book Kiosks in Community Housing | Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl". Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  12. ^ "Barbershop Books Encourages Boys of Color to Read". Urban Libraries Council. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  13. ^ Community (October 2, 2023). "Two California Library Systems Join in Granting Free Access to Banned Books for Young Readers". BOOK RIOT. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  14. ^ "LA County Library". LA County Library. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  15. ^ "2018 National Medal for Museum and Library Service". www.imls.gov. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  16. ^ "2019 National Medal for Museum and Library Service". www.imls.gov. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  17. ^ "Past Winners". Library Journal. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  18. ^ III, John N. Berry (December 28, 2018). "Skye Patrick, LJ Librarian of the Year". Library Journal. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  19. ^ III, John N. Berry. "LA County Library Is Library of the Year 2019". Library Journal.
  20. ^ "IMLS Selects Winners for Nation's Highest Museum and Library Honor".
  21. ^ Murray, Stuart A. P. “The Library: An Illustrated History.” New York, NY: Skyhorse Publishing, 2012, p. 263.
  22. ^ "LA County Library".

Further reading

External links

Media related to Los Angeles County Library at Wikimedia Commons

|}

County of Los Angeles
Education in Los Angeles County, California
Public libraries in California
Authority control databases
Categories