Los Angeles Central Library Throws a 100th Birthday Party

The centennial bash is this Saturday

By Chris Nichols • 2 days ago

The whole world meets at the corner of 5th and Flower. In classic Los Angeles fashion, the art and architecture of our wildly eclectic Central Library mashes up Spanish, Egyptian, Roman, Islamic and Byzantine styles with a little Hollywood art deco razzmatazz thrown in.

The Los Angeles Public Library serves the largest population of any library system in the United States and dates back to 1872. The operation has millions of books and endless learning resources spread over 72 branches, but the heart of the system is the 8-story, half-million square foot behemoth downtown.

Downtown’s Central Library is listed as a Historic-Cultural Monument, but narrowly survived replacement in the 1970s (sparking the birth of the Los Angeles Conservancy) and was restored and expanded into an 8-story, art-filled wonderland after a devastating fire nearly destroyed the institution in 1986.

Our city’s grandest beacon of knowledge has been celebrating its centennial all year, and the downtown landmark of learning officially turns 100 this month and has been celebrating with special events, arts and crafts and the gala opening of the 1925 time capsule back in January.

On July 11, a free Centennial Festival at the Downtown landmark shows off the art, architecture and history of Bertram Goodhue’s masterpiece.

Visitors can learn how to make carousel books, collage art, write haikus and visit the world’s largest pop-up book. Live performances include music by bands including Ashley Anne & The Carnations and viral sensation the Linda Lindas.

Continue/Read Original Article: Los Angeles Central Library Throws a 100th Birthday Party – LAmag