Washington Irving Branch Library

The Washington Irving Branch Library, part of the Los Angeles Public Library system, has a rich history of community involvement dating back to its establishment in 1926. After outgrowing its original building, a new, state-of-the-art facility was constructed in 1997, featuring special areas for children and teens, an outdoor reading area, and a multipurpose meeting room named in honor of a community activist. The library also houses an African American history collection named after the city's first African American librarian, as well as art installations by Elliot Pickney. The Los Angeles Public Library aims to provide free and easy access to information, ideas, books, and technology for all members of the city's diverse communities.