Hi, I’m Katy! Welcome to LAPLog!
LAPLog is the culmination of a yearlong personal project to visit all 73 locations of the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL). The photos and information contained on this site are adapted from my Instagram stories and highlights. Eventually, when I’m less technologically inept, I will upload the Instagram stories in their original format to this site. Until then, you may note gaps or discrepancies in the narrative which is likely due to my unwillingness to upgrade my WordPress plan to allow video hosting.
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Foreword
The idea of exploring the city’s libraries appealed to me for a number of reasons. First and foremost, I’m a librarian myself. While I don’t have the chutzpah to work in a public library, I consider public libraries one of the last bastions of democracy. Library staff are on the ground doing the work of upholding this MOST democratic institution, which includes:
- Shaping or advocating public policy related to social services, health, and education. Increasingly, many public libraries directly provide these services.
- Implementing collection development policies that support academic and intellectual freedom, accessibility, and DEI efforts (diversity, equity, and inclusion)
- Providing programming and services that inform, educate, and entertain the community. Many of these services often fill the gaps in existing public services.
- Addressing the digital divide by providing all users with the same access to technology, hardware, and training. This includes access to computers and internet.
- Providing free public space to all members of the community
I was also compelled to embark on this journey as a lifelong Angeleno who has only experienced Los Angeles in a superficial way. On a personal level, I wanted to better acquaint myself with LAPL’s resources. I’ve only ever known the LAPL branches that serve neighborhoods I’ve lived in and until now, I never really engaged with my local library in a meaningful way. Bigger picture, I wanted to get to know the communities that I was visiting through their libraries, operating on the assumption that libraries are truly reflections of the communities they serve.
Disclaimer
The opinions contained in LAPLog are my own. They do not represent the views of LAPL or its affiliates. This is not intended to be a scholarly examination of LAPL or Los Angeles. It's a thing I did in my free time. The assessment criteria were fluid and evolved as I went along. My opinions are subjective and at times even contradictory! I loosely adhered to the methodology described below.Methodology
- Each visit must occur during a library’s business hours.
- If a given library is closed at the time of a visit, re-visits are permitted within the year.
- Photo documentation should include both the interior and exterior of the building. A photo of the building information plaque should be included if present.
- Avoid photos of patrons. If unavoidable, obscure faces from photos.
- Observations may include a description of something unique about the branch, its services, programming, collections, appearance, or public art. These are typically my own observations but I may consult staff for their input.
- Only consult staff if they are not otherwise engaged with patrons or other work.
Acknowledgements
Before we begin, I’d like to acknowledge a few folks who inspired this journey. Megan Panatier Zapf was my main inspiration. She started visiting all LAPL branches in 2017, many with her young daughter in tow. This was the first I’d heard of a non-LAPL employee attempting something like this. At the time, I was midway through my MLIS and a volunteer at LAPL’s Central Library. It was kind of a D’oh!/A ha! moment when I realized that seeing LA through the lens of its public libraries might be one of the most comprehensive and inclusive ways to experience the city, since the criteria for the creation and placement of libraries is largely based on population.
I was also inspired by another mother/daughter duo, Annie and Marlene Laskey, who walked and documented Wilshire Boulevard from “downtown to the ocean” in their project turned book, The Wilshire Slides.
Jonathan Gold and Eric Brightwell are also perennial sources of inspiration and knowledge.
Many thanks to my friend and colleague, Andrea, who provided the literal kick in the pants that set me on my way by organizing our book club and selecting its first book. The book was so popular at the time that it sent me to a far-flung library I’d never visited before and reminded me that I’d wanted to do this years ago.
Lastly, very big ups to my sister, Alex, who helped review and organize my notes to get the website on its feet and to all of the special guests who joined me along the way.
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Please feel free to reach out with comments or questions using the contact form below.
In the spirit of public libraries, I encourage you to make free use of my photos and insights, but please be sure to include attribution and/or a link to the content.
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