Benjamin Franklin Branch Library
🏢 Los Angeles Public Library · Boyle Heights, California
Benjamin Franklin Branch Library
The Benjamin Franklin Branch — Boyle Heights' oldest library lineage, tracing back to an 1889 reading room — is temporarily closed for a $5.5 million renovation that will add solar panels, EV charging, a Citizens Corner, and a demonstration garden when it reopens in 2027; interim service continues via the LAPL Street Fleet pop-up every Tuesday at Boyle Heights City Hall.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 2200 E. 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033
Phone: (323) 263-6901
Website: lapl.org
Plus Code: 85632QVQ+P2 (Los Angeles, CA)
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📖 About Benjamin Franklin Branch Library
Library service in Boyle Heights began in 1889 with a free reading room near Cummings Street, giving Benjamin Franklin Branch the longest continuous service lineage in the entire Los Angeles Public Library system. A $35,000 Carnegie grant funded a Classical Revival building designed by Dodd & Richards that opened in June 1916, circulating over 106,000 items in its first year and serving the neighborhood's diverse immigrant communities with materials in Spanish, Russian, Yiddish, German, French, and Polish. After sustaining damage in the 1971 Sylmar earthquake, the original Carnegie structure was demolished in 1974 and replaced with the current building, which reopened around 1976. The branch closed in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and has remained closed while undergoing a comprehensive $5.5 million city-funded renovation; it is expected to reopen in late 2026 or April 2027 with solar panels, EV charging stations, ADA-compliant restrooms, self-checkout counters, a demonstration garden, and a dedicated Citizens Corner for citizenship and immigration assistance.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Longest branch library service lineage in the LAPL system — library service in Boyle Heights has been continuous since an 1889 free reading room
- Original 1916 Carnegie building designed by Dodd & Richards, funded by a $35,000 Andrew Carnegie grant; circulated over 106,000 items in its first year
- New Americans Center offering free immigration and naturalization services — citizenship classes, N-400 assistance, fee waivers, green card renewals (temporarily closed; will reopen post-renovation)
- Donation-based zine collection featuring Spanish-language zines including many from Mexico City, built in partnership with L.A. Zine Fest
- $5.5 million renovation will add solar panels, EV charging, ADA restrooms, self-lighting bookshelves, a demonstration garden, and a Citizens Corner
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
LAPL cardholders can access the full digital library online regardless of branch closures — stream, download, and learn from home:
📚 Services
- Street Fleet pop-up van every Tuesday 12:00 pm–5:30 pm at Boyle Heights City Hall (2130 E. 1st St., across the street) — book checkout and library services during renovation
- Spanish-language collections (extensive, reflecting Boyle Heights community)
- Tech 2 Go — free Chromebook bundles including portable hotspot for up to six months (with valid adult ID)
- New Americans Center — free immigration and naturalization assistance: citizenship classes, N-400 completion, fee waiver help, green card renewals (temporarily closed; reopening post-renovation)
- Adult Literacy Program (will resume post-renovation)
- Zine collection — donation-based Spanish-language zines (accessible post-renovation)
- Public computers and free Wi-Fi (will return fully post-renovation)
🎸 Programs
- LAPL Street Fleet pop-up — every Tuesday 12:00 pm–5:30 pm at Boyle Heights City Hall (ongoing during renovation)
- Citizenship and English-language classes in partnership with New Americans Center (will resume post-renovation)
- Adult Literacy Program (will resume post-renovation)
- Community events and performances (will resume post-renovation)
📍 Nearby LAPL Branches (Open)
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Los Angeles · Browse all California libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Benjamin Franklin Branch Library open?
No — the branch has been closed since 2020 for a comprehensive $5.5 million renovation. During construction, LAPL operates a Street Fleet pop-up van every Tuesday from 12:00 pm to 5:30 pm at Boyle Heights City Hall (2130 E. 1st St., directly across the street), offering book checkout and library services. The nearest open full-service branches are Lincoln Heights (2530 Workman St.) and the Richard J. Riordan Central Library (630 W. 5th St.).
When will the Benjamin Franklin Branch Library reopen?
Construction is expected to finish in late 2026, with the official city projection of April 2027. The renovation has been delayed multiple times — originally scheduled to reopen in early 2024 — due to funding adjustments. Follow lapl.org/branches/benjamin-franklin for the latest updates on the reopening timeline.
Is this library related to Andrew Carnegie?
Yes, in origin. A $35,000 Carnegie grant funded the 1916 Classical Revival building designed by Dodd & Richards that stood on this site. However, that original structure was demolished in 1974 after suffering damage in the 1971 Sylmar earthquake. The current building is a 1976 replacement that is now undergoing the $5.5 million renovation.
What digital resources can I use while the branch is closed?
LAPL cardholders can access the full digital library online regardless of which branch is open: e-books and audiobooks via Libby (OverDrive), streaming films and documentaries via Kanopy, comics and music via hoopla, language learning via Mango, and much more. Visit lapl.org/digital-library to explore all resources with your LAPL card number.
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