What We Do | Los Angeles Public Library

a librarian reads to group of babies and toddlers and their caregivers

The Children’s Literature Department is a safe and welcoming public library environment for children ages 0-11 (or up to 5th grade) and their parents and caregivers. Opportunities abound for exploration, entertainment, and learning in the department through year-round storytimes, puppet shows, author programs, craft and activity programs, and other special events. The collection of over 250,000 juvenile items is one of the largest in the United States and serves to meet the informational, cultural, and recreational needs of the residents of Los Angeles and its visitors.

Programming Highlights

We have a weekly Preschool Storytime for ages 2-5, as well as other programs for ages K-5 that create a solid foundation in early literacy, foster a love of books and reading, and give children and their caregivers the opportunity to socialize, create, and play.
In our STAR Readers program, volunteers regularly read and share stories with children ages 0-5 to promote the joy of books and reading.

Special Facilities

Our We Read Together (WRT) Space is a welcoming space within the children’s literature department that supports early learning by offering enriching and developmentally appropriate books and furniture for young children and their families. The experiences, resources, and interactions provided by these spaces help build brain development and fuel a love of learning.
The KLOS Story Theater is a small scale performance space for puppet shows, storytimes, and more! This space is currently under renovation.
The Computer Zone provides access to digital resources and online homework help for children up to age 11.

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Why support the Library?

The Los Angeles Public Library serves the largest most diverse population of any library in the United States.

Through its Central Library and 72 branches, the Los Angeles Public Library provides free and easy access to information, ideas, books and technology that enrich, educate and empower every individual in our city's diverse communities.

With more people than ever before using the library—a record 17 million last year alone—your support helps the Library provide people with the resources they need to succeed and thrive.

How to support the Library

You can support the Los Angeles Public Library in several ways:

Join a “Friends” group. There is a “Friends of the Library” group for most branch libraries and departments of the Central Library. Friends groups raise money for improvements to their library through memberships, used book sales and other activities. For more information click here or talk to your local librarian.

Join the Library Foundation of Los Angeles. The Library Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises funds for Library enhancement programs such as adult and early literacy, children and teen reading clubs, technology, and cultural programs. Foundation members receive a variety of benefits with their membership. For more information, see http://www.lfla.org.

Make a donation by check to the Los Angeles Public Library and send it to:
Support the Library, 630 W. Fifth St., Los Angeles CA 90071 or call (213) 228-7272.