LA County Library | |
---|---|
33°55′40″N118°09′41″W / 33.92778°N 118.16139°W | |
Location | Downey, Los Angeles County, California, United States |
Type | Public |
Established | 1912 |
Reference to legal mandate | County Free Library Act |
Branches | 86 |
Collection | |
Size | 4,799,808 |
Criteria for collection | County residents |
Access and use | |
Circulation | 13,026,434 |
Population served | 3,375,417 |
Members | 3,045,433 |
Other information | |
Budget | US$131,063,244 (2015/16) [1] |
Director | Skye Patrick, County Librarian |
Employees | 1,483 (2010) [1] |
Website | www |
References: [2] |
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.
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. c. 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]
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]
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]
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).
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 | Named for Julian Dixon | |
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 | Named after Martin Luther King, Jr. | |
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 | Named for Cesar Chavez | |
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 | ||
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 |
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]
The Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is the public library system of the New York City borough of Brooklyn. It is the sixteenth largest public library system in the United States by holding and the seventh by number of visitors. Like the two other public library systems in New York City, it is an independent nonprofit organization that is funded by the city and state governments, the federal government, and private donors. In marketing materials, the library styles its name as Bklyn Public Library.
A bookmobile, or mobile library, is a vehicle designed for use as a library. They have been known by many names throughout history, including traveling library, library wagon, book wagon, book truck, library-on-wheels, and book auto service. Bookmobiles expand the reach of traditional libraries by transporting books to potential readers, providing library services to people in otherwise underserved locations and/or circumstances. Bookmobile services and materials, may be customized for the locations and populations served.
The Los Angeles Public Library system (LAPL) is a public library system in Los Angeles, California. The system holds more than six million volumes, and with around 19 million residents in the Greater Los Angeles area, it serves the largest metropolitan population of any public library system in the United States. The system is overseen by a Board of Library Commissioners with five members appointed by the mayor of Los Angeles in staggered terms, and operates 72 library branches throughout the city. In 1997 a local historian described it as "one of the biggest and best-regarded library systems in the nation." It is not to be confused with the LA County Library system which operates several library branches across certain areas of Los Angeles County.
The Santa Clara County Library District is a public library system for Santa Clara County headquartered in Campbell, California. The library serves the communities and cities of Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Saratoga, and all unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County. Other cities in Santa Clara County run their own library systems. In addition to these libraries, the library provides mobile library service with a bookmobile which visits preschools, retirement communities, migrant farmworker camps, and rural communities without easy access to library services. In 2020, SCCLD also launched a new website featuring a 24/7 online library.
The Fresno County Public Library provides books, ebooks, music, movies, magazines, newspapers, reference assistance, wireless Internet access and a variety of other services at its 35 locations throughout Fresno County, California. The library system is headquartered in Fresno, at the Central Library.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is an independent agency of the United States federal government established in 1996. It is the main source of federal support for libraries and museums within the United States, having the mission to advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development.” In fiscal year 2023, IMLS had a budget of $313.58 million. As of 2023, IMLS currently has 70 full-time employees, many of whom still work remotely. In 2022, the employees voted to unionize, joining hundreds of thousands of federal workers who have joined the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) to “build power and have a voice at work.”
Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries is a public library system in southwestern Washington state. The library district was established in 1950 as the first inter-county rural library district in Washington. The district has grown since 1950 to serve all of Clark, Skamania and Klickitat Counties, and the city of Woodland and the independent Yale Valley Library District in Cowlitz County.
The Alachua County Library District (ACLD) is an independent special taxing district and the sole provider of public library service to approximately 280,000 citizens of Alachua County, Florida. This includes all of the incorporated municipalities in the county. It maintains a Headquarters Library and four other branches in Gainesville. There are branch locations in seven of the eight other incorporated municipalities in the county. ACLD also operates a branch at the county jail, and two bookmobiles.
The Miami-Dade Public Library System (MDPLS) is a system of libraries in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
The Alameda County Library, in Alameda County, California, is a public library system that provides services from eleven branch libraries in the cities of Albany, Dublin, Fremont, Newark and Union City and the unincorporated communities of Castro Valley, Cherryland and San Lorenzo. According to 2005/2006 statistics, the total service area represents a population of about 522,000, and annual circulation is reported to be around 5.5 million. Its headquarters are located in Fremont.
The Riverside County Library System (RCLS), located in Riverside County, California, United States, is a public library system composed of 35 libraries, two museums and two mobile resource vans. The RCLS is a member of the Inland Library Network. It is the first library system in the nation that turned over its entire operation to a private company.
Nashville Public Library (NPL) is the public library system serving Nashville, Tennessee and the metropolitan area of Davidson County. In 2010, the Nashville Public Library was the recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The library was named the Gale/Library Journal 2017 Library of the Year.
The National Medal for Museum and Library Service is an award given annually by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to American libraries and museums with outstanding service to their communities. The IMLS refers to the medal as "the nation’s highest honor conferred on museums and libraries for service to the community." The award is typically presented by the First Lady of the United States.
Skokie Public Library has been serving the community of Skokie, Illinois, since 1930.
The Librarian of the Year Award is an annual award made by Library Journal to "honor a professional librarian for outstanding achievement and accomplishments reflecting the loftiest service goals of the library profession." It was first awarded in 1988. Although it is often referred to as the "National Librarian of the Year Award," any working professional librarian from North America is eligible.
The Athens Regional Library System (ARLS) is a consortium of 11 public libraries across five counties, comprising the Athens – Clarke County metropolitan area as well as Franklin County in northeast Georgia, United States.
The Pueblo City-County Library District is a public library system serving Pueblo County, Colorado. The main branch, the Robert Hoag Rawlings Public Library, is located in the Mesa Junction neighborhood of the City of Pueblo, Colorado. Aside from physical books the library system also provides E-book downloads, Audiobook's, DVD collections, music, streaming movies and free wireless internet connectivity.
John F. Szabo is an American librarian, library executive, and the twentieth City Librarian of Los Angeles, the chief executive of the Los Angeles Public Library. He previously served as the Director of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System, Clearwater (FL) Public Library System, Palm Harbor (FL) Public Library, and the Robinson (IL) Public Library District. In 2015, the Los Angeles Public Library won the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation's highest honor for a library or museum. Awarded by the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the medal was presented by First Lady Michelle Obama at a White House ceremony.
The Athens-Clarke County Library is the headquarters and main branch of the Athens Regional Library System. It is located in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia. The structure contains two stories that are open to the public. It contains a YA Department, Children's Department, and Heritage Room, which maintains a local archival collection about Clarke and surrounding counties.
Skye Patrick is an American librarian who has served as Library Director of LA County Library since February 2016.
Media related to Los Angeles County Library at Wikimedia Commons
|}