From the Archives: Know Your City No. 9 – Central Library

The ninth image of the 1955-56 Know Your City photography series is of the Los Angeles Central Public Library. The original accompanying text read:

KNOW YOUR CITY, NO. 9–A lot of lending goes on here. But you’d have a tough time borrowing $1. They keep a very definite set of books. And don’t let the tree fool you. It isn’t growing in Brooklyn. Recognize that fancy peak?

ANSWER–This is one for the books, all right, because the building in the photo is the Central Public Library at 630 W. 5th St. Or hadn’t you ever noticed its colorful stately tower before? …

Built in 1926, the Central Library Goodhue building is a historic Los Angeles landmark. A major expansion was completed in 1993. The entire complex is named the Richard Riordan Central Library.