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Came here with a fellow yelper after my clamorous beseeching that we go check out the library. I'd read about this amazing place but never thought I would ever get the chance to go. Which is funny because I seldom read (I lead). I was happy as a clam here. This library is so damn awesome. Truly a gem, not only from how massively huge it is and the exhibits that make it a bit of a museum on top of being a library, but also the digital resources and sewing machines people can use as part of the library's offerings. Staff were also all great. We perused the dog aisle and found books on GSDs, whippets, French bulldogs, Rottweilers, but nothing on poodles. "Man, f this place," he said lol Love love love this library - OC needs something this cool.
Got to celebrate with the library for their 100th celebration recently, and I was reminded what a killer place this is. What a beautiful building, and it's filled to the brim with art and books - what more can you ask for? This is such an interesting library, with all kinds of historical architecture, statues, and a beautiful atrium area. They have all the book genres broken up into their own respective rooms, many tech stations, a lot of places to sit and relax, and right now they have the world's largest pop up book and an exhibit on the library's history. We had a wonderful time and got to get some reading in while doing it. Make sure to come here if you haven't. It's worth the trip and one of the best libraries I've gotten to see :)
I came here for the 100 year anniversary festival. It had been a while since I had visited. The first time was because I had just moved to L.A. and based on a travel book, this was one of the must see landmarks. I had also watched an episode of Huell Howser on PBS and wanted to see the fountains up front that were featured on the show. Inside, the atrium with huge colorful chandeliers hanging from the skylights left an unforgettable memory and when I saw them again, they were still as amazing as I had remembered. What I hadn't remembered was how many levels there were. From the outside, the building doesn't look very tall in comparison to the modern skyscrapers looming above it. However, the festival encourages you to go to each level by having something to see and do on each one. There are 8 levels total with 4 of them underground. A lot of work was put into making the festival as engaging as possible. Outside there were booths with freebies, a live band, and food trucks. Inside there were guest speakers, screenings, and arts & crafts. I easily spent 6 hours at the festival. Restrooms weren't a problem since there was one on each level. The screening and speaker I went to see talked about the art and architecture of the building, like I didn't know it was built around the same time ancient tombs in Egypt were discovered, which led to the library having a pyramid on its roof and sphinxes by the stairs. One of the unfortunate experiences I had was at the information booth: Online I read the suggestion to present your library card so you can get your parking validated and you'll pay $1 instead of $10. I looked online and was pleased to find out I could apply for an electronic library card since I'm an L.A. resident. I could also pre-register for a physical card and pick it up in person. The morning of the festival I went to the info booth to pick up my card. The man was very short with me and told me to go to the line for checking books in & out. At that line I was told that since I already had an electronic card, I couldn't get the physical card, which was different from what was said online. Exasperated, I said all I wanted was to get my parking validated, so I was sent back to the info booth. At the info booth, the man from the books check in & out line got angry at the man & woman at the info booth for sending me there when all I wanted was to get my parking validated & they both yelled back "She didn't say that!" When the man from the books check in & out line left, I asked if either the electronic or physical card expired. Both do. The woman at the info booth tried to send me back to the books check in & out line to get the physical card, but I said I didn't see the point if both versions expired, showed her my electronic library card, and she quietly validated my parking, but I could sense her rage over the whole ordeal. To be clear, I came here for a good time. I tried to get my parking validated right when they opened so I could beat the crowds, and since it was so early, all 3 employees hadn't dealt with hundreds of visitors yet to be that irate and angry already. It was not a good start to the festival. Fortunately, the rest of the event went smoothly and the other employees were nice. It makes me wish they were at the front desk instead. If you're going to put people up front, they need to already be people who enjoy chatting with other people. The 3 I ended up with seemed more fitted to work in the back alphabetizing books. Overall, I had a good time. The library is as beautiful as I remembered and the activities were fun. Just beware of some of the employees at the front desks.
Our visit to the Central Library came about over morning coffee while looking around for a place to pass the time on a beautiful Saturday. After reading the history and significance of this amazing library, along with the glowing reviews and pictures on Yelp, how have we not visited before? We arrived around 1pm. Parking at the library was super easy in the surprisingly clean, multi-level underground space. We were then pleasantly surprised by the AAPI event. We were given cute tote bags with information about the free festival along with fans, notebooks and pencils. There were several activities going on like Lei Making and traditional Japanese dance lessons. We came across a table where we were given a special edition K-pop CD package and information on learning the Korean language. We had a wonderful time! The library itself was simply amazing. Being our first time, our minds were on overload with so much to explore at every turn. I especially enjoyed the Getty Gallery. The architecture is quite the marvel. Even the elevators thoughtfully designed with old index cards were so cool. After walking every floor, we finally settled ourselves at a reading table on -2 where we also discovered the Octavia Lab -- wonderful place! The technology available in this space is just incredible. As others have mentioned, there are many, many homeless people throughout the library. Some sections are overwhelmed with odor that hits you like a brick and it was hard to just breathe. These areas are easy enough to avoid and as one reviewer suggested -- bring hand sanitizer! Now that we have a better understanding of how to navigate this historical library, we'll be keeping an eye on upcoming events or return to just explore more.
What a beautiful library! Playing tourists in our own state so we stopped by. Beautiful building. Such a large building! We walked around to take a look and they are celebrating years! There was something going on though when we walked in. 3 cops were there kinda guarding the door. Guess that's LA.
I decided to go since it's the Library's 100th Birthday. All the Staff were polite and some downright friendly. I felt bad for the guy who had to repeat over and over where to get a Library Card was and where to get your parking validated, but he dutifully repeated to all and sundry. The maintenance is stellar, and I went during the week where you can find an available table to read. One must have a Library card to get a deep discount on Parking. Otherwise Go Metro, my friends. Parking is very expensive during the week. Better on weekends.
I attended the Night at the Library event and it was chaotic. The library is beautiful, there were a lot of activations happening at with the crowd it was hard to get to them or find them and once you got there, it was full for most of the evening. Definitely need to visit during normal operating hours.
What a beautiful place to check out while in DTLA. I have been living in LA over 30 years and this is the first time I came here. After having lunch with my husband at the Italian restaurant we walked over to the library to walk around. It's has been here for 100 years. That is just amazing. The building is historic and beautiful. There are a few floors, each floor has a category of books etc... there is also a gift shop that sells the most cutest items. A bit pricey but very special. I enjoyed browsing thru the shop. There were a lot of people at the library, some unpleasant ones as well. What can you do they are all over LA nowdays. If you find yourself in DTLA stop by and check it out.
We love the Octavia Lab and hope that not enough people learn about it so that there's always room to play there but please learn about it because it's pretty amazing, but you just have to go through the proper steps to do anything there. But it is amazing but don't let me know that you know about it so it still feels like a secret to me. I don't want to keep the information because it's pretty amazing. Yeah, the library is great. It looks really cool. To validate parking you have to have your library card. Everyone should have a library card. There's a lot of benefits that you can learn about online. There are security guards everywhere here, even though there are also a lot of fun house people walking around. They still have DVDs and CDs that you can check out. I remember back when I used to check out VHS tapes from here. Watch out for books. Thank you
Came here solo to use the computers and get a few printouts since I was in the area. I went ahead and knocked out many birds with one stone on this visit. Among them was the need to actually get a City of Los Angeles library card, my first in many years. That little card alone can open up many doors for people who are willing to invest a little time depending on what their interests and passions are. After being directed to level L3 where the computers were, all went pretty well with some great surprises. The lone drawback (and perhaps this is just the new societal norm that everyone is just going to have to deal with) is that there were plenty of homeless people going in and out of the library and it's various levels with the only exception being that of the Octavia Lab. (More on that later). Unfortunately, not only were many of them unclean and unkept, but many had their belongings all over the place and still others were asked to leave as they were either talking and disturbing other people or talking to themselves very loud. Perhaps the worst part about the L3 level where the public computer's are, is that the place smells to Holy High Hell. Not poking fun, but no exaggeration either. I get it, believe me I do. Many of the homeless use the library not only for its resources, but also as a place to have a roof over their head if only to knock out a portion of their day. It's a societal challenge that certainly has no easy end in sight. I would have to say aside from getting the printouts and a little work on the computer done among the homeless down on level L3, there were two awesome surprises I came across here at Central library, and they easily trumped any negative. The first awesome experience was with Kelly Wallace, who is the California History Subject Specialist. I informed her I was doing research on a topic that few, if any people are aware of, that being the ties between Creoles of Color from New Orleans (Pope Leo has ties to this community) and their interactions and in some cases flight to Mexico way, way back in the day. Even she had never heard of these historical occurrences. That being said, she wasn't deterred in the least and spent more than a fair amount of time with me. I'll be grateful for her time ,energy, and overall effort she put in for quite a while while searching for any materials on that subject matter that may have been in her department. Ms. Wallace is a pro and and a great representative for the city of Los Angeles. She was clearly the CSA, or Customer Service All Star of this experience! The last great experience was coming across the Octavia Lab. I'll let you guys do the research and the googling and all that other stuff, but suffice to say it's a world within a world here at the Central Library and can only be accessed by those who are members and have an appointment. I went ahead and signed up while I was here, as they have a litany of really cool things you can do. All in all, a great experience at the Central library today.
If you haven't been to the public library since you were a kid, let me tell you... it has grown up as much as you have! First off, the Central Library branch is particularly beautiful with photo-worthy architecture on the outside, and multiple levels of amazing materials on the inside. I wish I could get back all that money I've spent at the bookstore over the years, as the library has pretty much everything you could want for free! But it's not just books... if you still have your DVD player, you'd be amazed at the selection of movies and tv show collections that is available. I used to think they'd only have dated stuff like the 'latest' Charlie Chaplin film, but I was happy to prove myself wrong. New releases include last year's Oscar contenders and current HBO shows, etc! I especially appreciate the foreign film section where you can find all the popular Korean favorities like 'Parasite'. Their French movie collection is impressive too... vive la difference! Magazines? I'm never buying one again as all the current editions of everything from Rolling Stone to The New Yorker are waiting to be easily checked out. As far as technology goes, there's a computer center, a 3-D printer... you name it! Bring a bag, as you're allowed to check out 30 items at a time! No more worries about late fees either, as they'll auto-renew most books for you and send you a courtesy email when it's time to return your materials. Another plus is that you can return your check-outs at ANY L.A. Public Library branch that's convenient; not necessarily the branch where you checked out your picks. Getting a library card is super-easy too. Just apply online on the public library website, then go to the check-in/check-out counter to get your physical card. Why no fifth star? Well, being downtown, the clientele can be a bit sketchy sometimes. The park right in front is usually occupied by folks with nowhere better to go, accompanied by the pungent smell of cheap weed wafting about. Also, being a free place to be, lots of those same folks are inside using the outlets to charge devices, using the bathrooms, or using the reading cubbies as a napping spot, so if I were bringing kids, I might remind them to hit the bathroom before leaving home. But don't let that deter you from the chance to broaden your horizons! The restaurant next-door, Settecento, is pretty good too... especially for outdoor patio enjoyment, homemade pasta and homemade gelato...(see my separate review). If you enjoyed reading this, you'll definitely enjoy what you find at the Central Branch! Thanks for reading!
LA's LEGACY of LEARNING! So often do we take for granted the the importance of reading and education, LA's Central Library is a physical reminder of the beauty of books. It may sound weird, but I felt safe here. There's solace in learning of the many individuals who have fought to preserve and expand literacy and access to citizens across Los Angeles. Their accounts of enduring fires, financial hardship, and reconstruction are encouraging and compelling. I'm SO happy my Mom re-introduced me to this library, we've hadn't come here in YEARS. We used to come here when I was small, I felt an Instant connection to the children's room when I walked in. The stunning design of the Central Library is impressionable, from the detailed carpets in the children's section to the art deco ceilings and sculpts. The building feels loved and cared for, it's elegant and incredibly clean. From patrons to staff, everyone respected Central's quiet space. Central Library has sections for everything, fiction, informational texts, a dedicated, inclusive space for teens called TeenScape, and plenty of computers for public use. I also spotted a museum-like exhibit honoring the library's timeline and introducing all the features of the facility. If you're looking for a momento, there's even a gift shop! Note: This library has multiple stories and escalators, it's pretty accessible. Additionally, a cafe is nearby, enjoy a cup of Joe while you're basking in written delight.
Currently writing this review stuck in the middle of the main room on the re-opening day of the Central Library, July 11th 2026. The entertainment factor was pretty good. I watched the Japanese Drum show with my family and it was AWESOME. The food trucks outside were absolutely delicious. However, good things only last for so long. As soon as we try to get home after my Nana (Grandma) is tired, I notice that there is only 1 person for each parking lot floor, which was 4 floors!? They had 1 person trying too take out about 100 cars for each floor. It was terrible. One Parking Attendant was looking like he was about to pass out. Another one had an attitude. And one was completely burnt out!!! On top of that we had to wait in this line, 1 person at a time to drive out our car from the parking lot. You get the idea how long that took for them to slowly walk to another car to drive it out, make sure they get through all the chaotic traffic, then go back to the line, ask questions, and the cycle continues. Not only we're we inhaling the horrid smell of carbon dioxide from the cars which is extremely bad for you, but the parking attendant said he was gonna charge us now for leaving the library!? You might as well let everyone go for free for this mess otherwise people like me are definitely gonna complain. Me and my family had to wait in the parking lot for 3 hours to finally get our car out. I feel bad for everybody else and the parking attendants. If the Central Library is taking notes. I must request more staff working in the parking lot than in Entertainment. Some more standard chairs/benches could be good in more rooms too, for people who have trouble standing for so long.
This is the crown jewel of the Los Angeles Public Library. A shrine to all forms of literature and knowledge in the heard of downtown Los Angeles. It's a beacon to the whole city. One large enough that you cannot take it all in in one visit. With that said, if you are able to, try to sign up for one of their tours where you can learn about the history of the library from a knowledgable docent. The library just needs to be explored. From its large vaulted main hallway to beautifully ornate wood ceiling panels, it's just a beautiful building. So much so that you might find yourself forgetting that it is, in fact, a working library. read more
8 days ago
I always love coming here to visit! It's so big and full of things to discover and explore across every floor! Plus, after taking the architecture tour, it really made me appreciate all the little details throughout the building, both inside and outside. Like, who knew that even the carpet design was intentional haha. And of course, the art exhibits will always be eye-catching and cool to learn more about. I also appreciated how easy it was to get a library card :) Though, the person at the info register could have been a little nicer lol, but oh well. Additionally, it was nice to also get to sign up for the Octavia Lab. Super excited for my next library visit! read more
Came here with a fellow yelper after my clamorous beseeching that we go check out the library. I'd read about this amazing place but never thought I would ever get the chance to go. Which is funny because I seldom read (I lead). I was happy as a clam here. This library is so damn awesome. Truly a gem, not only from how massively huge it is and the exhibits that make it a bit of a museum on top of being a library, but also the digital resources and sewing machines people can use as part of the library's offerings. Staff were also all great. We perused the dog aisle and found books on GSDs, whippets, French bulldogs, Rottweilers, but nothing on poodles. "Man, f this place," he said lol Love love love this library - OC needs something this cool. read more
Got to celebrate with the library for their 100th celebration recently, and I was reminded what a killer place this is. What a beautiful building, and it's filled to the brim with art and books - what more can you ask for? This is such an interesting library, with all kinds of historical architecture, statues, and a beautiful atrium area. They have all the book genres broken up into their own respective rooms, many tech stations, a lot of places to sit and relax, and right now they have the world's largest pop up book and an exhibit on the library's history. We had a wonderful time and got to get some reading in while doing it. Make sure to come here if you haven't. It's worth the trip and one of the best libraries I've gotten to see :) read more
I came here for the 100 year anniversary festival. It had been a while since I had visited. The first time was because I had just moved to L.A. and based on a travel book, this was one of the must see landmarks. I had also watched an episode of Huell Howser on PBS and wanted to see the fountains up front that were featured on the show. Inside, the atrium with huge colorful chandeliers hanging from the skylights left an unforgettable memory and when I saw them again, they were still as amazing as I had remembered. What I hadn't remembered was how many levels there were. From the outside, the building doesn't look very tall in comparison to the modern skyscrapers looming above it. However, the festival encourages you to go to each level by having something to see and do on each one. There are 8 levels total with 4 of them underground. A lot of work was put into making the festival as engaging as possible. Outside there were booths with freebies, a live band, and food trucks. Inside there were guest speakers, screenings, and arts & crafts. I easily spent 6 hours at the festival. Restrooms weren't a problem since there was one on each level. The screening and speaker I went to see talked about the art and architecture of the building, like I didn't know it was built around the same time ancient tombs in Egypt were discovered, which led to the library having a pyramid on its roof and sphinxes by the stairs. One of the unfortunate experiences I had was at the information booth: Online I read the suggestion to present your library card so you can get your parking validated and you'll pay $1 instead of $10. I looked online and was pleased to find out I could apply for an electronic library card since I'm an L.A. resident. I could also pre-register for a physical card and pick it up in person. The morning of the festival I went to the info booth to pick up my card. The man was very short with me and told me to go to the line for checking books in & out. At that line I was told that since I already had an electronic card, I couldn't get the physical card, which was different from what was said online. Exasperated, I said all I wanted was to get my parking validated, so I was sent back to the info booth. At the info booth, the man from the books check in & out line got angry at the man & woman at the info booth for sending me there when all I wanted was to get my parking validated & they both yelled back "She didn't say that!" When the man from the books check in & out line left, I asked if either the electronic or physical card expired. Both do. The woman at the info booth tried to send me back to the books check in & out line to get the physical card, but I said I didn't see the point if both versions expired, showed her my electronic library card, and she quietly validated my parking, but I could sense her rage over the whole ordeal. To be clear, I came here for a good time. I tried to get my parking validated right when they opened so I could beat the crowds, and since it was so early, all 3 employees hadn't dealt with hundreds of visitors yet to be that irate and angry already. It was not a good start to the festival. Fortunately, the rest of the event went smoothly and the other employees were nice. It makes me wish they were at the front desk instead. If you're going to put people up front, they need to already be people who enjoy chatting with other people. The 3 I ended up with seemed more fitted to work in the back alphabetizing books. Overall, I had a good time. The library is as beautiful as I remembered and the activities were fun. Just beware of some of the employees at the front desks. read more
5 months ago
Our visit to the Central Library came about over morning coffee while looking around for a place to pass the time on a beautiful Saturday. After reading the history and significance of this amazing library, along with the glowing reviews and pictures on Yelp, how have we not visited before? We arrived around 1pm. Parking at the library was super easy in the surprisingly clean, multi-level underground space. We were then pleasantly surprised by the AAPI event. We were given cute tote bags with information about the free festival along with fans, notebooks and pencils. There were several activities going on like Lei Making and traditional Japanese dance lessons. We came across a table where we were given a special edition K-pop CD package and information on learning the Korean language. We had a wonderful time! The library itself was simply amazing. Being our first time, our minds were on overload with so much to explore at every turn. I especially enjoyed the Getty Gallery. The architecture is quite the marvel. Even the elevators thoughtfully designed with old index cards were so cool. After walking every floor, we finally settled ourselves at a reading table on -2 where we also discovered the Octavia Lab -- wonderful place! The technology available in this space is just incredible. As others have mentioned, there are many, many homeless people throughout the library. Some sections are overwhelmed with odor that hits you like a brick and it was hard to just breathe. These areas are easy enough to avoid and as one reviewer suggested -- bring hand sanitizer! Now that we have a better understanding of how to navigate this historical library, we'll be keeping an eye on upcoming events or return to just explore more. read more
What a beautiful library! Playing tourists in our own state so we stopped by. Beautiful building. Such a large building! We walked around to take a look and they are celebrating years! There was something going on though when we walked in. 3 cops were there kinda guarding the door. Guess that's LA. read more
2 months ago
I decided to go since it's the Library's 100th Birthday. All the Staff were polite and some downright friendly. I felt bad for the guy who had to repeat over and over where to get a Library Card was and where to get your parking validated, but he dutifully repeated to all and sundry. The maintenance is stellar, and I went during the week where you can find an available table to read. One must have a Library card to get a deep discount on Parking. Otherwise Go Metro, my friends. Parking is very expensive during the week. Better on weekends. read more
I attended the Night at the Library event and it was chaotic. The library is beautiful, there were a lot of activations happening at with the crowd it was hard to get to them or find them and once you got there, it was full for most of the evening. Definitely need to visit during normal operating hours. read more
What a beautiful place to check out while in DTLA. I have been living in LA over 30 years and this is the first time I came here. After having lunch with my husband at the Italian restaurant we walked over to the library to walk around. It's has been here for 100 years. That is just amazing. The building is historic and beautiful. There are a few floors, each floor has a category of books etc... there is also a gift shop that sells the most cutest items. A bit pricey but very special. I enjoyed browsing thru the shop. There were a lot of people at the library, some unpleasant ones as well. What can you do they are all over LA nowdays. If you find yourself in DTLA stop by and check it out. read more
We love the Octavia Lab and hope that not enough people learn about it so that there's always room to play there but please learn about it because it's pretty amazing, but you just have to go through the proper steps to do anything there. But it is amazing but don't let me know that you know about it so it still feels like a secret to me. I don't want to keep the information because it's pretty amazing. Yeah, the library is great. It looks really cool. To validate parking you have to have your library card. Everyone should have a library card. There's a lot of benefits that you can learn about online. There are security guards everywhere here, even though there are also a lot of fun house people walking around. They still have DVDs and CDs that you can check out. I remember back when I used to check out VHS tapes from here. Watch out for books. Thank you read more
Came here solo to use the computers and get a few printouts since I was in the area. I went ahead and knocked out many birds with one stone on this visit. Among them was the need to actually get a City of Los Angeles library card, my first in many years. That little card alone can open up many doors for people who are willing to invest a little time depending on what their interests and passions are. After being directed to level L3 where the computers were, all went pretty well with some great surprises. The lone drawback (and perhaps this is just the new societal norm that everyone is just going to have to deal with) is that there were plenty of homeless people going in and out of the library and it's various levels with the only exception being that of the Octavia Lab. (More on that later). Unfortunately, not only were many of them unclean and unkept, but many had their belongings all over the place and still others were asked to leave as they were either talking and disturbing other people or talking to themselves very loud. Perhaps the worst part about the L3 level where the public computer's are, is that the place smells to Holy High Hell. Not poking fun, but no exaggeration either. I get it, believe me I do. Many of the homeless use the library not only for its resources, but also as a place to have a roof over their head if only to knock out a portion of their day. It's a societal challenge that certainly has no easy end in sight. I would have to say aside from getting the printouts and a little work on the computer done among the homeless down on level L3, there were two awesome surprises I came across here at Central library, and they easily trumped any negative. The first awesome experience was with Kelly Wallace, who is the California History Subject Specialist. I informed her I was doing research on a topic that few, if any people are aware of, that being the ties between Creoles of Color from New Orleans (Pope Leo has ties to this community) and their interactions and in some cases flight to Mexico way, way back in the day. Even she had never heard of these historical occurrences. That being said, she wasn't deterred in the least and spent more than a fair amount of time with me. I'll be grateful for her time ,energy, and overall effort she put in for quite a while while searching for any materials on that subject matter that may have been in her department. Ms. Wallace is a pro and and a great representative for the city of Los Angeles. She was clearly the CSA, or Customer Service All Star of this experience! The last great experience was coming across the Octavia Lab. I'll let you guys do the research and the googling and all that other stuff, but suffice to say it's a world within a world here at the Central Library and can only be accessed by those who are members and have an appointment. I went ahead and signed up while I was here, as they have a litany of really cool things you can do. All in all, a great experience at the Central library today. read more
If you haven't been to the public library since you were a kid, let me tell you... it has grown up as much as you have! First off, the Central Library branch is particularly beautiful with photo-worthy architecture on the outside, and multiple levels of amazing materials on the inside. I wish I could get back all that money I've spent at the bookstore over the years, as the library has pretty much everything you could want for free! But it's not just books... if you still have your DVD player, you'd be amazed at the selection of movies and tv show collections that is available. I used to think they'd only have dated stuff like the 'latest' Charlie Chaplin film, but I was happy to prove myself wrong. New releases include last year's Oscar contenders and current HBO shows, etc! I especially appreciate the foreign film section where you can find all the popular Korean favorities like 'Parasite'. Their French movie collection is impressive too... vive la difference! Magazines? I'm never buying one again as all the current editions of everything from Rolling Stone to The New Yorker are waiting to be easily checked out. As far as technology goes, there's a computer center, a 3-D printer... you name it! Bring a bag, as you're allowed to check out 30 items at a time! No more worries about late fees either, as they'll auto-renew most books for you and send you a courtesy email when it's time to return your materials. Another plus is that you can return your check-outs at ANY L.A. Public Library branch that's convenient; not necessarily the branch where you checked out your picks. Getting a library card is super-easy too. Just apply online on the public library website, then go to the check-in/check-out counter to get your physical card. Why no fifth star? Well, being downtown, the clientele can be a bit sketchy sometimes. The park right in front is usually occupied by folks with nowhere better to go, accompanied by the pungent smell of cheap weed wafting about. Also, being a free place to be, lots of those same folks are inside using the outlets to charge devices, using the bathrooms, or using the reading cubbies as a napping spot, so if I were bringing kids, I might remind them to hit the bathroom before leaving home. But don't let that deter you from the chance to broaden your horizons! The restaurant next-door, Settecento, is pretty good too... especially for outdoor patio enjoyment, homemade pasta and homemade gelato...(see my separate review). If you enjoyed reading this, you'll definitely enjoy what you find at the Central Branch! Thanks for reading! read more
7 months ago
LA's LEGACY of LEARNING! So often do we take for granted the the importance of reading and education, LA's Central Library is a physical reminder of the beauty of books. It may sound weird, but I felt safe here. There's solace in learning of the many individuals who have fought to preserve and expand literacy and access to citizens across Los Angeles. Their accounts of enduring fires, financial hardship, and reconstruction are encouraging and compelling. I'm SO happy my Mom re-introduced me to this library, we've hadn't come here in YEARS. We used to come here when I was small, I felt an Instant connection to the children's room when I walked in. The stunning design of the Central Library is impressionable, from the detailed carpets in the children's section to the art deco ceilings and sculpts. The building feels loved and cared for, it's elegant and incredibly clean. From patrons to staff, everyone respected Central's quiet space. Central Library has sections for everything, fiction, informational texts, a dedicated, inclusive space for teens called TeenScape, and plenty of computers for public use. I also spotted a museum-like exhibit honoring the library's timeline and introducing all the features of the facility. If you're looking for a momento, there's even a gift shop! Note: This library has multiple stories and escalators, it's pretty accessible. Additionally, a cafe is nearby, enjoy a cup of Joe while you're basking in written delight. read more
3 months ago
Currently writing this review stuck in the middle of the main room on the re-opening day of the Central Library, July 11th 2026. The entertainment factor was pretty good. I watched the Japanese Drum show with my family and it was AWESOME. The food trucks outside were absolutely delicious. However, good things only last for so long. As soon as we try to get home after my Nana (Grandma) is tired, I notice that there is only 1 person for each parking lot floor, which was 4 floors!? They had 1 person trying too take out about 100 cars for each floor. It was terrible. One Parking Attendant was looking like he was about to pass out. Another one had an attitude. And one was completely burnt out!!! On top of that we had to wait in this line, 1 person at a time to drive out our car from the parking lot. You get the idea how long that took for them to slowly walk to another car to drive it out, make sure they get through all the chaotic traffic, then go back to the line, ask questions, and the cycle continues. Not only we're we inhaling the horrid smell of carbon dioxide from the cars which is extremely bad for you, but the parking attendant said he was gonna charge us now for leaving the library!? You might as well let everyone go for free for this mess otherwise people like me are definitely gonna complain. Me and my family had to wait in the parking lot for 3 hours to finally get our car out. I feel bad for everybody else and the parking attendants. If the Central Library is taking notes. I must request more staff working in the parking lot than in Entertainment. Some more standard chairs/benches could be good in more rooms too, for people who have trouble standing for so long. read more
9 months ago
This might be the first review I ever do of a library. I visited for the first time a few days ago and left beyond impressed! I arrived and parked at the attached parking structure, where you can park and only pay $1 on Sarurdays with library validation. The caveat to getting validation is that you must possess an LA City Library card, which I thought I had, but it turns out LA County Library system is a thing. Anyway, no big deal, I got a card and am now also part of the amazing city library system! Because I was visiting this gorgeous place for the first time, I decided to join one of the art and architecture tours. This made me truly appreciate everything so much more than having explored on my own. I didn't realize, aside from the beauty, how many resources are available here. I can't say enough great things. I felt like a kid again when I got my library card there. read more
1 month ago
4 days ago
The library itself is an amazing resource for people in LA. It houses books for every age, stage, genre and curiosity you can imagine. It also doubles as an art gallery with different displays throughout the year. Beautiful architecture on the inside and located in the heart of downtown. I visited in a rainy day and there were many unhoused people (mostly men) occupying space throughout the various levels of the library. Security and police presence was there so it never felt unsafe, and I was there alone. Getting a library card is easy if you have an ID and proof of residence and you can check out 30 items at a time. 30?! I don't think I can carry that many books. read more
I was in the dowtown area ( financial district to be specific ) and I always wanted to see what the libraries were like in downtown LA so I came here. Even though I only been to one part of the library, I was told by one of the librarians that this central Library has many different sections and I believe him. I will definitely be coming here in future to fully explore this place and because it's really quiet. read more
2 months ago
8 months ago
Parking is $1 for first hour with validation. This library has great resources and is open 7 days a week. Sundays they are open until 5pm. read more
First time visiting this huge public library in the city! It's like a giant art with full of history and arts as well as public spaces! Definitely a must come and look around! We had a good time looking around! Cheers read more
1 year ago
I came here for the first time in years to check out their gift shop (yes I AM serious), because I've just moved back to LA from being away in grad school and they have a bunch of California / specifically Los Angeles themed merch + LAPL merch that I figured seeing in person was better than grabbing on their website. Parking nearby is incredibly challenging, even on a good day, you'd have to find metered street parking and walk a few blocks (at least) over. Central library does have their own underground parking structure (park at P4 and below if you don't want to leave your keys w/ an attendant) where you should get your ticket validated at the information desk and rates start at $1 / hr (w/ library card validation!!!). The gift shop itself was cute and had exactly what I was looking for. There are free phone chargers in the main lobby if you need them. Overall, this is a beautifully decorated public library in the heart of DTLA that also features the brilliant Octavia Lab (named after Angelino Octavia Butler) that is a diy makerspace with so many great art supplies you can use for free!! Support LAPL and visit your local library! read more
2 months ago
1 year ago
2 months ago
Such a beautiful library! Free phone chargers in the main lobby. There's a library store/gift shop. discounted parking if you have a library card. A great place to beat the heat and chill for a few hours. Make sure to go do the art & architecture tour! Very informative and cool! you'll learn so much! read more
7 months ago
6 months ago
8 months ago
From the brief visit to the LA library, it's definitely an architectural landmark to see, it almost doesn't seem like a library, entering up the set of stairs from the back, the lobby space can be overwhelming at first with hallways leading down all four ways and stairs leading up and down. The bathroom was an outdated but I supposed that's the history of the building in place with the older style sinks. The information desk was ever to helpful depending on who you speak with. I was trying to get the new centennial library card so that just lets you know this place is 100+ years old! The line system at check out is interesting as there is only one line. There's two computers on the side that you can use to sign up for library card application page, and then you have to get in the single line in the middle to wait for a turn to speak to a librarian at the counter. The whole process for me took mere minutes and the line moved relatively quickly. Then we stuck around for the lunar new year celebration and managed to snag an LA lunar new year inspired tote bag! They handed them out on a first come first serve basis and it moved quickly as well. We were barely there for an hour and were planning to be there longer. Overall, it was a pleasant visit, there is also security or police presence inside the library as well. read more
Lived in the LA area for over 40 years and just discovered what a gem we have in this library. We took the one hour decent led tour (free) and loved it! So much architectural and other history in and around the library. Thank you Lisa, our decent, who is so knowledgeable, friendly & inviting. We went the following weekend and walked around DTLA & went to the chalk drawing class (also free!) This was a fun experience as we've never tried tundra with chalk on paper. They provided the chalk, eraser, black paper, instructor, table, etc. We also checked out books and a state park pass. The libraries have so much to offer. This one is like a museum. I'm glad we are discovering things & utilizing what is offered. Check out the library website for parking. We can't find parking for that cheap in DTLA. Kudos to those who take care of the libraries & give of themselves so freely. read more
7 months ago
The Los Angeles Central Library is a stunning mix of 1920s Art Deco and modern design. The historic Rotunda with its zodiac chandelier is a must-see. The Children's Literature Department is the real heart for families. It's a huge, colorful space with its own murals and a world-class book collection. Holiday Highlights: Christmas Magic: During the season, the library looks festive with decorations and often hosts a massive, beautifully decorated tree in the lobby or rotunda. Events: Check their calendar for holiday-themed puppet shows, "Winter Reading" challenges, and festive crafts in the kids' wing. They also host a Noon's Eve party for little ones Dec 31 to ring in the new year! The Library Store: Perfect for high-quality, literary-themed Christmas gifts and LA-centric stocking stuffers. Tip: Use the library's 524 S. Flower St. garage and *validate your ticket* inside for a huge discount on parking. We visit on Saturday mornings to avoid the weekday traffic in that area. read more
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Ask the Community - Central Library
Do the computers have webcam access?
Is the library open on weekends currently? The Yelp hours and the library website hours are different
Monday10AM-8PM Tuesday10AM-8PM…
Is there any bike rack where i can park my bike there? Even though i use U-lock and other lock, i am quite worried about leaving my bike outside. If you know anything about…
I would check out the underground parking. Entrance to parking is on S. Flower St. on the left side.
Is their wifi password protected (secure)?
No. It is free. There may be a captive portal but it is public and free
Would this be a good library to bring your laptop to and do homework? It seems like a busy, huge place. I just want a quite table that has an outlet near by that I can do my online classes.
Yes, it is. It's a huge library. There's multiple corners with an outlet calling your name.
Can I bring it the dog inside it here?
Bringing any animal into library facilities is prohibited, except for service animals that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability in compliance with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) regulations…
Review Highlights - Central Library
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