Travel Guide

LAX Airport Parking and the LA Public Library

Are you ready to expand your mind the next time you're in LA? Then head to the library! The Los Angeles Public Library is one of the world's largest publicly funded library institutions, providing visitors with a plethora of reference material and leisure reading. Open to everyone, not just residents of LA, the Los Angeles Public Library features millions of circulating books, periodicals, and audio visual materials. The LAPL also hosts a world-class rare books division, displaying a number of hard-to-find classics. The library now supports a number of branches in and around the Los Angeles area, including the architecturally-impressive Richard Riordan Central Library. Millions of residents and traveler alike utilize the LA Public Library system each and every year, and now you can too. Simply stop by during your upcoming Johnny Parks LAX Airport Parking vacation and pick up your free library card. A world of information is waiting for you.

A Center of Learning

The Richard Riordan Central Library is a downtown Los Angeles landmark. Built in 1926, the Central Library is the third largest library in the United States in terms of books and periodical holdings. Designed by architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, the Central Los Angeles Library mimics the architecture of ancient Egypt, complete with a pyramidal peak. This tiled mosaic pyramid features suns on either side representing the "Light of Learning". Other unique elements include sphinxes, snakes, and celestial images. An enormous six-story atrium was added to the building back in 1980, incorporating elements of neo-Mission style into the building's overall design. Dedicated to former mayor Tom Bradley, the atrium features chandeliers, grilles and a four-part mural of the history of California. Renovations were required after a tragic fire in 1986 which destroyed more than 20 percent of the library's holdings. A second fire also destroyed the contents of the library's Music Department Reading Room on September 3rd of that same year. Although the Richard Riordan Central Library has suffered some bad luck over the years it still manages to provide customers of Johnny Parks LAX Airport Parking with and unparalleled wealth of information and reference material. Holdings include Literature & Fiction, International Languages, History & Genealogy and Children's Literature.

Events that Expand Your Mind

The Los Angeles Public Library system proudly hosts a number of exciting events and exhibitions at its more than 70 citywide locations. Programs include everything from lecture series to art showings, providing customers of Johnny Parks LAX Airport Parking with a unique look at California culture. And the best part? Most of these programs are offered completely free of charge. Simply stop by the library and enjoy the afternoon. Current exhibits include Building books: The Art of David Macaulay, Artists of the Orange: California Vintage Fruit Crate Labels and Treasure of Los Angeles. Large exhibits are held at the Richard Riordan Central Library. For more details about current and upcoming events please contact the Los Angeles Public Library directly. Ongoing lecture series include the Aloud Lecture Series, the Zocalo Public Square Lecture Series and the popular Saturday Afternoon Lecture Series. Events are often suitable for all ages.

If you would like to learn more about Los Angeles during your upcoming Johnny Parks LAX Airport Parking vacation, there's no better place to begin than the LA Public Library. Hours at the Richard Riordan Central Library are as follows:

• Monday 10am to 8pm
• Tuesday 10am to 8pm
• Wednesday 10am to 8pm
• Thursday 10am to 8pm
• Friday 10am to 6pm
• Saturday 10am to 6pm
• Sunday 10pm to 5pm

The Richard Riordan Central Library is located at 630 West 5th Street. Customers of Johnny Parks LAX Airport Parking are also invited to contact the Richard Riordan Central Library by phone at 1-213-228-7000. The library system also supports a website at www.lapl.org. Please log on for more exciting information.