Los Angeles Central Library Celebrates 100th Anniversary

The iconic art deco building has been a centerpiece of downtown LA for a century.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 7:15pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Central Library in downtown Los Angeles is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The library's history dates back to 1872 when it started as a small one-room collection with just 750 books. Over the decades, the library moved several times as its collection grew, before voters approved a $2 million bond in 1916 to build the current art deco-style building, which opened in 1926.

Why it matters

The Central Library is a beloved landmark that has served as the heart of Los Angeles' public library system for the past century. Its construction was a point of civic pride for a growing city, and the building's distinctive architecture has made it an iconic part of the downtown skyline.

The details

The Central Library was designed by architect Bertram Goodhue and features art deco and Egyptian influences common in the 1920s. It is elaborately decorated with murals, mosaics, and sculptures, including black marble sphinxes and a mosaic tile pyramid roof. The library's opening in 1926 was seen as a major milestone that helped put Los Angeles "on the map" as the city continued to grow.

  • The city of Los Angeles had around 6,000 residents in 1872 when the first small library collection was established.
  • In 1878, the Los Angeles Library Association became an official city department, leading to the creation of the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) system.
  • Over the years, the LAPL's main collection moved between several rented spaces, including City Hall and a department store building, before a dedicated central library building was proposed.
  • In 1916, voters approved a $2 million bond to fund construction of the current Central Library building, which opened in July 1926.
  • The Central Library is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026.

The players

John Szabo

The current Los Angeles city librarian, who says the Central Library is "the most beautiful library in the world."

Everett Perry

An energetic city librarian in the early 1900s who lobbied for years to get a dedicated central library building constructed.

Bertram Goodhue

The New York architect who designed the iconic art deco and Egyptian-influenced Central Library building.

Los Angeles Library Association

The group that originally oversaw the small library collection in Los Angeles starting in 1872, before it became an official city department in 1878.

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)

The city's public library system, which grew from the original small collection to include the Central Library and branch locations.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Of course I'm biased, but I think it's the most beautiful library in the world.”

— John Szabo, Los Angeles City Librarian (LAist 89.3's AirTalk)

“[The Central Library's opening] was a great sense of pride in a growing city, sort of putting L.A. on the map.”

— John Szabo, Los Angeles City Librarian (LAist 89.3's AirTalk)

What’s next

The Central Library will host a centennial celebration event on July 18, 2026, the 100th anniversary of the building's opening.

The takeaway

The Central Library's journey from a small one-room collection to an iconic civic landmark reflects the rapid growth and evolution of Los Angeles over the past century. The library's survival through multiple temporary locations and its eventual construction as a dedicated building demonstrate the city's commitment to public education and culture.