LAPLog

Superlatives

This is my 2023 LAPL yearbook. These are branches that delighted, inspired, surprised, and enlightened me. Some of these lists include my rationale for inclusion but many do not. For those, you’re just going to have take my word for it until you’re able to make the journey for yourself.

I excluded Central Library from these lists because it’s the main branch/system hub and has substantially larger collections, resources, and services than any of the other branches. But trust, it’s very cool.

Lists are in no particular order.

  1. Best Overall
  2. People
    1. Busiest Branches
    2. Best Outreach/Community Services
    3. Staff Shout Outs
  3. Aesthetic Choices
    1. Favorite Interiors
    2. Favorite Exteriors
    3. Best Outdoor Spaces
    4. Best Public Art

Best Overall

When I say best, I mean relative to my own interests. Based on highly subjective, often variable criteria.

  • San Pedro
  • Hyde Park Miriam Matthews
  • Edendale
  • Encino-Tarzana
  • Wilmington
  • Venice – Abbot Kinney Memorial
  • Palisades
  • Washington Irving
  • Cypress Park

People

Busiest Branches

These branches were busy at the time of my visit but I can’t speak to the day-to-day situation.

  • Mar Vista
  • Robertson
  • Canoga Park
  • North Hollywood
  • Pio Pico
  • Wilshire
  • Palms-Rancho Park

Best Outreach/Community Services

  1. Alma Reeves Woods – Watts
  2. Benjamin Franklin
  3. Cypress Park
  4. Palisades
  5. Baldwin Hills
  6. Canoga Park
  7. Chinatown
  8. Echo Park
  9. Hyde Park Miriam Matthews
  10. Washington Irving
  11. Vernon
  12. Pio-Pico Koreatown
  13. Jefferson – Vassie D. Wright

Staff Shout Outs

This list is based on my own positive staff interactions or observations of library staff interacting with patrons. This is in no way comprehensive since I did not have an opportunity to interact with staff at all locations, often because they were busy assisting patrons or doing the hard work of maintaining a library!

  • Sunland-Tujunga
  • West LA Regional
  • Cahuenga
  • Ascot
  • Mark Twain
  • Los Feliz
  • Valley Plaza
  • Studio City
  • Pico-Union
  • Benjamin Franklin
  • Frances Howard Goldwyn – Hollywood
  • Robertson
  • Mar Vista

Aesthetic Choices

Favorite Interiors

  • Hyde Park
  • Woodland Hills
  • Palisades
  • Memorial
  • John C. Fremont
  • Little Tokyo
  • Wilmington
  • San Pedro
  • Robertson
  • Encino-Tarzana

Favorite Exteriors

  • Donald Bruce Kaufman – Brentwood
  • Will & Ariel Durant
  • Playa Vista
  • John C. Fremont
  • Lincoln Heights
  • Los Feliz
  • Granada Hills
  • Sylmar

Best Outdoor Spaces

  • Palisades
  • Wilshire
  • Felipe de Neve
  • Chinatown
  • Lincoln Heights
  • Los Feliz
  • John C. Fremont

Best Public Art

  1. Venice – Abbott Kinney
  2. Palisades
  3. Edendale
  4. John C. Fremont
  5. Vermont Square
  6. Washington Irving
  7. Malabar
  8. Westchester
  9. El Sereno