Public Libraries in Los Angeles, California
California — United States
Public Libraries in Los Angeles, California
Baldwin Hills and Felipe de Neve branches of the Los Angeles Public Library — the largest municipal library system in the United States.
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Libraries
Los Angeles Public Library Branches
The Los Angeles Public Library serves the city through the landmark Richard J. Riordan Central Library downtown and dozens of neighborhood branches across L.A. Explore individual locations for real hours, addresses, and what makes each one distinctive:
Libraries in Los Angeles
Baldwin Hills Branch Library
📍 2906 S. La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90016
📞 323-733-1196 · 🕑 Mon & Wed 10–8, Tue & Thu 12–8, Fri–Sat 9:30–5:30, Sun closed
Felipe de Neve Branch Library
📍 2820 W. 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90057
📞 213-384-7676 · 🕑 Mon & Wed 10–8, Tue & Thu 12–8, Fri–Sat 9:30–5:30, Sun closed
The Story of the Library in Los Angeles
The Felipe de Neve Branch is one of the most historic buildings in the LAPL system. Located on the edge of Lafayette Park in the Westlake district, it opened in 1929 on "Felipe de Neve Day" and is named for Felipe de Neve, the Spanish governor of California who oversaw the founding of Los Angeles in 1781. Architect Austin Whittlesey designed the one-story brick building with its distinctive red tile roof in a blend of Spanish Colonial Revival and Northern Italian Renaissance styles, and in 1987 the branch was added to the National Register of Historic Places as part of a thematic group of LAPL branch libraries.
The Baldwin Hills Branch, at 2906 S. La Brea Avenue, was among a wave of new neighborhood libraries built as the Los Angeles Public Library expanded during the mid-20th century, opening in 1960. The roughly 5,000-square-foot building was designed by the architectural firm of Hunter and Benedict and continues to serve the Baldwin Hills and Crenshaw-area communities of South Los Angeles.
About Public Libraries in Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) serves the City of Los Angeles through its landmark Central Library downtown and 72 neighborhood branches, making it the public library system serving the largest city population in the United States. Any California resident can get a free LAPL library card online or at any branch. A card unlocks physical books, free eBooks and audiobooks, streaming video and music, online research databases, and free online classes and tutoring.
California has no single statewide public-library portal, so LAPL provides its own extensive free digital collection. With an LAPL card you can borrow eBooks and audiobooks through Libby/OverDrive, stream films with Kanopy, and read, watch, and listen through hoopla. Cardholders also get free access to online research databases, language learning, and free online courses and career resources.
📚 What You Can Access
- 📚 Books, DVDs, and materials across LAPL’s citywide collection
- 📱 Free eBooks & audiobooks via Libby/OverDrive
- 🎬 Stream films with Kanopy and hoopla
- 🔎 Online research databases and reference tools
- 🎓 Free online classes, tutoring & career resources
- 🖨️ Public computers, printing, and free Wi-Fi
- 🧒 Story times and programs for kids and teens
🏛️ Quick Facts
| Libraries | 2 LAPL branches in this listing |
| System | Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) |
| Locations | Baldwin Hills (La Brea Ave) & Felipe de Neve (W. 6th St) |
| Phone | Baldwin Hills 323-733-1196 · Felipe de Neve 213-384-7676 |
| Opened | Felipe de Neve 1929 · Baldwin Hills 1960 |
| Library card | Free for California residents |
| Digital resource | LAPL Digital Library (Libby, Kanopy, hoopla) |
Explore more public libraries in California
American Canyon →San Francisco →Temecula →Lafayette →Nevada City →
Frequently Asked Questions