Legacies come off the page in the heart of downtown Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Public Library held its Central Library Centennial Festival on July 11 in celebration of the branch’s 100th anniversary. The free event featured guest speakers and hands-on workshops – often focused on physical media such as zines, typewriters and pop-up books. Festivities extended into the Maguire Gardens and Mark Taper Auditorium with live music and performances. Attendees were also able to explore the Central 100 Maguire Gardens Faire outside, which included booths from community partners and an array of food trucks.
The Central Library serves as the headquarters for the 72-branch library system and is the third largest central library in the United States. Since its 1926 opening, the building has endured World War II blackout restrictions, two arson fires and the initial closure of all LAPL library branches during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s a huge milestone,” said Karen Van Cise, a library patron who has been following the branch’s centennial programming throughout the year. “Most things don’t get to be 100. Buildings, people – 100 is quite an achievement.”
