Los Angeles Public Library

Reputedly we are the largest public library west of the Mississippi River, with a Central Library and 72 branches. We have over 6 million books and other documents. This year we are celebrating our sesquicentennial–150 years, with a special exhibit, which will eventually be filmed and appear on our website. And there is a book, LAPL150– our story is yours : a Los Angeles Public Library sesquicentennial, written by James Sherman and Christina Rice. Our library system serves a population that defies the concept of diversity. The City of Los Angeles is a cross-section of the world that enriches and challenges all of us, especially those of us who work for the Los Angeles Public Library.