A Look Into the LA Public Library
LA Public Library

The Los Angeles Public Library’s mission has dramatically expanded since it was founded in 1872 with 500 books for a “bustling pueblo” of 6,000 people. Today, under the leadership of City Librarian John Szabo, the LA Public Library has more than 8 million books and serves the largest and most diverse urban population of any library system in the country.

Across its 72 branches spread out over 503 square miles, the library system puts a strong emphasis on social services, addressing homelessness, digital inclusion, public health, citizenship and more — highlighting the human aspects of the library experience. A recent article from the Los Angeles Times has captured how the library caters to the residents in need of resources — like digital access, social services, or even just air conditioning for the day.

Read the incredible Los Angeles Times article here.

A Story of Inclusivity and Respect in Regina
Regina Public Library

"We knew we needed diverse voices to make this artwork truly special, so we teamed up with Bruno Hernani and Sarah Pitman from Dunlop Art Gallery at the Regina Public Library,” read a post from the Regina Open Door Society.

In a collaboration between the Regina Open Door Society and local artist Geanna Dunbar, a mural was created with the aim to spark conversations about building a welcoming community.

“It's a story of inclusivity and respect. It honours Indigenous history and land and welcomes newcomers who have chosen Regina as their home.”

A mini-documentary on how the mural came to life was screened at the Regina Public Library Film Theatre on Aug. 15 at 4 p.m.

Read the article on CTV News Regina.

A Sign For the Times
Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Public Library

A new library in Albuquerque’s International District was the site of a western dance club and bar known as the Caravan East which included a large neon sign. Recently, the library was able to renovate and restore the sign with Zeon Signs, who designed, manufactured and installed the original sign back in 1961.

In 1961, the space was the all new Crescendo Nightclub. A couple of years later the Crescendo was renamed and relaunched as the Caravan East. The Caravan East was open from 1963 through about 2015. The new library’s community room also has a wood floor as a bit of a nod to the western dancing that was part of the Caravan East nightclub.

View more images of the past and current signs here.

Launching Barbershop Books
Cleveland Public Library

The Cleveland Public Library launched its Barbershop Books program on Saturday, August 12, 2023, at the Glenville Hip-Hop 50 Festival in Cleveland's Glenville Community, collaborating with their back-to-school giveaway party. In addition to book giveaways, The library had a mobile barbershop on-site, giving away free haircuts.

ULC and Barbershop Books work together with libraries across the country to expand reading opportunities for children in need by creating child-friendly reading spaces in barbershops and providing early literacy training to barbers. This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services grant number LG-252555-OLS-22.

Learn more about Cleveland Public Library's Barbershop Books programming.