Libraries in Los Angeles
THE 5 BEST Los Angeles Libraries
Libraries in Los Angeles
Category types
Traveller Resources
Traveller rating
Neighbourhoods
Good for
6 results sorted by traveller favourites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Wilshire
Universities & Schools • Libraries
University Park
Libraries
University Park
Libraries
Venice
What travellers are saying
- FellowTraveler730578232 contributionsAn architectural feast in every way,the Central Library is a treasure not to be missed in Los Angeles. It is stunningly beautiful inside and out. There are huge book selections in the many reading room departments and a resting area with a bank of outlets for phone charging and personal computer use. Don't miss this free city attraction!Written 23 February 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Penny D1 contributionMy great-grandfather was an elevator repairman. He was killed in the elevator shaft at Bullocks Wilshire in 1923, I believe. This was long before "lock out tag out", and he was crushed by the elevator car at the bottom of the shaft while he was working on it. My whole family knows about the death of my grandfather's father, but no one else seems to know about it. I searched the history on the building, and there's no mention of the tragedy anywhere, though I suppose Bullocks would not have wanted that info circulated given the high end nature of the store. I was able to find some haunted info surrounding the elevator shaft, but the "rumor" is that it's haunted by a little girl who fell from a doorway into the shaft. It's weird that the building haunt is taking place in the elevator shaft though. Though I'm guessing it's more my great-grandfather than a child.
I wish someone would do a paranormal investigation there.Written 5 October 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - permiaIreland68,370 contributionsStepping into the main reading room is to see a marvellous and evocative space.
Church-like with a centre area bounded by columns and arches, it is most apt as a repository for philosophical tomes and collections.
Stained glass windows were luminous in the dazzling morning sunshine, bringing to mind the scholarly illuminations from the great volumes held here.Written 30 January 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - permiaIreland68,370 contributionsEdward Doheny established his wealth in the oil business after drilling the first successful oil well in Los Angeles in 1892.
After the late 1920s death of his son by shooting, Doheny made philanthropic endowments to numerous causes. This beautiful library is the result of one such, built in 1932 as a memorial to Edward Jr.
Elaborate decorative features are its hallmark. Readings rooms are magnificent with ornate ceilings and lighting.
An Academic Museum is hosted in the grand faculty hall. It gives an interesting account of the university, including notable teachers therein such as the famous composer Arnold Schoenberg.Written 8 December 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - permiaIreland68,370 contributionsAn entrance that is exquisitely embellished with scholarly and classical references is just one of the great architectural features in stone.
Symbols of learning such as the classics, science, astronomy and mathematics adorn an arc over the doorway. Within the arc is wonderful braiding with a centrepiece of two scholars on each side of an owl of wisdom.
Completed in 1929, the name honours Lawrence Powell who was UCLA Librarian for 17 years from 1944.
Inspired by the styling of Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio in Milan it houses a tremendous collection of books and manuscrips, in additional to being a grand legacy from UCLA’s early days.Written 13 February 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
When to Visit
- January14 ÂşC5 days of rainLess busy
- February14 ÂşC6 days of rainWettest monthModerately busy
- March16 ÂşC5 days of rainVery busyBusiest month
- April17 ÂşC2 days of rainModerately busy
- May18 ÂşC1 day of rainModerately busy
- June20 ÂşC1 day of rainVery busy
- July22 ÂşC1 day of rainVery busy
- August23 ÂşCHottest month1 day of rainVery busy
- September22 ÂşC1 day of rainModerately busy
- October19 ÂşC2 days of rainLess busy
- November16 ÂşC3 days of rainLess busy
- December13 ÂşCColdest month5 days of rainLess busyLeast busy month