Central 100 Celebration | Los Angeles Public Library Jump to Navigation Jump to Content Celebrating a Century of the Light of Learning Dedicated in July 1926, the Los Angeles Central Library became an instant architectural icon and guiding light of learning for the City. For this significant milestone, the Los Angeles Public Library is pleased to present Central 100, a year-long celebration that brings together residents from all corners of Los Angeles. Join us for centennial events befitting a crown jewel of the City of Angels: Central Library, the anchor of the Los Angeles Public Library system! Podcast Listen to Past Due: 100 Years of Central Library , a podcast series that delves into Central Library's history, controversies, and hidden lore. Library Card Celebrate 100 years of Central Library with a limited-edition library card, available at all Los Angeles Public Library locations while supplies last. Exhibitions Stroll through Central Library's history and how it continues to serve the City through several exhibitions and displays, including a featured partnership with Historiart and Gallery 1988. Blog Posts Discover Central Library's history, art, and architecture through informative and well-researched blog posts. Timeline Explore Central Library’s story, from the 1921 voter-approved bond that made it possible, to the present day. Card Catalog Stamp Collection Pick up a set of historic card catalog cards at any Library location . Carry them with you. Stamp them at our branches. Make them your own. Beanstack Challenge Pick up a coloring page at any Library location to participate in this special color-by-number challenge! The Library Store Pick up Central 100 commemorative merchandise, including limited-edition prints created in partnership with Historiart and Gallery 1988. Community Oral History Share your stories and memories of Central Library via a short video recording that will become part of the LAPL Archives. Centennial Time Capsule On January 29, 2026, to kick off the Library's centennial year, a time capsule that was placed in the building's cornerstone during the original construction was unveiled to the public for the first time! Central Library Centennial Festival Central Library was officially dedicated and opened its doors to the public in July 1926. Come help us mark this centennial milestone with a full day of all-ages festivities on July 11, 2026! Print & Play Celebrate the Central Library Centennial with active and passive programming, including coloring pages and zine templates! Books on Central Library Los Angeles in Maps Creason, Glen. View: OverDrive Catalog Architecture Transformed: New Life for Old Buildings Greer, Nora Richter. View: OverDrive Catalog Bunker Hill in the Rearview Mirror: The Rise, Fall and Rise Again of an Urban Neighborhood View: OverDrive Catalog Feels Like Home: Reflections on Central Library View: Catalog Review L is for Librarian: The ABCs of Los Angeles Central Library Lendroth, Susan View: Catalog L.A. Landmarks: Lost and Almost Lost Olnick, Cindy. View: OverDrive Catalog Los Angeles Central Library POPS: Celebrating a Century of the Light of Learning Rice, Christina View: Catalog Los Angeles Central Library: A History of Its Art and Architecture Gee, Stephen View: Catalog Shades of L.A.: Pictures from Ethnic Family Albums View: OverDrive Catalog Songs in the Key of Los Angeles: Sheet Music from the Collection of the Los Angeles Public Library View: OverDrive Catalog Spine: An Account of the Jud Fine Art Plan at the Maguire Gardens, Central Library, Los Angeles Fine, Jud View: OverDrive Catalog The Library Book Orlean, Susan On the surface, The Library Book is about the history of the Los Angeles Public Library, particularly about the devastating fire View: OverDrive Catalog The Light of Learning: An Illustrated History of the Los Angeles Public Library Soter, Bernadette Dominique View: Catalog The Los Angeles Central Library: Building an Architectural Icon, 1872-1933 Breisch, Kenneth A, View: Catalog To Live and Dine in L.A.: Menus and the Making of the Modern City Kun, Josh. View: OverDrive Catalog Help write the next chapter for the Los Angeles Public Library! The Library Foundation of Los Angeles (LFLA) is honoring the 100th anniversary of the Richard J. Riordan Central Library with a fundraising and engagement initiative investing in the future of our libraries. LFLA’s Centennial Celebration aims to raise $10 million to expand vital library programs and seed innovation in new technologies, spaces, and outreach that redefine the library for the 21st century. Highlights include a year of Centennial-themed public programs; festive fundraising events; and timely, stimulating conversations inspired by Los Angeles history and the Library’s vast archival collections. More information on how you can get involved at lfla.org/centennial Kids & Parents Teens How Do I? How do I get a library card? How do I get a Student Success Card? How do I print from my laptop? (wireless printing) How do I reserve a computer? How do I renew my books? 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