Past Due: 100 Years of Central Library

Join the librarians of the Los Angeles Public Library as they explore some of the library technology we’ve used throughout the last 100 years, from card catalogs to fax machines. We’ll highlight the Science, Technology, and Patents department’s Cookery Ephemera collection and speculate on how the Albert Herter murals survived the 1986 fire.

Dive into the Los Angeles Public Library’s photo collections, both historic and current, to find the most unique photos documenting the history of Los Angeles or current happenings at LAPL. On this episode, we learn more about the Photo Collection from Senior Librarian Christina Rice, catch up with Keith and Krystal from our Social Media team, and delve into the mystery of a long-lost Julian Garnsey wallpaper.

In this episode of the Past Due podcast, we delve into some of the preservation issues Central Library has encountered in its history, including the mystery of a lost mural, and how the Library building itself was nearly demolished in the 60s and 70s. Librarian Sheridan Jay Cazarez interviews Adrian Scott Fine, president and CEO of the LA Conservancy, about how the LA Conservancy was formed partly to save Central Library from demolition. Then he speaks with librarian Nicholas Beyelia about the lost Branch Libraries Map mural by artist Gail Cleaves. And finally, he talks with librarian David Turshyan about the International Languages Department’s treasures from around the world.

In this episode of the Past Due podcast, our host discovers rarely seen spots in the Central Library and learns a fascinating story spun from the resources in the Business & Economics Department’s collection. Follow along with Sheridan as he interviews Senior Building Operating Engineer, Jesnin (Jessy) Yu, about forgotten places in Central Library, chats with Librarian, Danielle Ball, about the library’s Labor Movement collection, and climbs up to a hidden level of Central Library to find out if there really is a "secret library apartment" in the building. Transcript

In this episode of Past Due, we explore the Children’s Literature Department, highlighting the art and architecture, and explain how LAPL purchases the many resources for our diverse range of library patrons.Resources Mentioned:FOCAL Puppets on display:Pedro Puppet First year of the Focal Award for Pedro: The Angel of Olvera Street by Leo Politi. Currently on display in the Getty Gallery.Chef Roy Puppet Awarded in 2017. Chef Roy Choi and the Street Food Remix by Jacqueline Briggs Martin (Author), June Jo Lee (Author), Man One (Illustrator). Currently on display in the Children’s Literature Department.Brenda Levin’s "Levin and Associates Architects" website.Libby/OverdriveCentral 100 Community Oral HistoryThe KLOS Puppet Theater in the Children's Area of Central Library Chef Roy Puppet Awarded in 2017. Chef Roy Choi and the Street Food Remix by Jacqueline Briggs Martin (Author), June Jo Lee (Author), Man One (Illustrator). Currently on display in the Children’s Literature DepartmentMara Alpert showing off the Librarian and Wizard puppets