Throughout this challenging year, the Los Angeles Public Library has continued its unwavering commitment to serving our city and communities. Before 2020 comes to an end, we want you to know that your support makes it possible for us to help the Library remain RESILIENT in times of crisis, help individuals and families RECOVER from the hardships presented by this pandemic, and provide the literary and educational resources to REBUILD our world from home. We’d like to share a snapshot of how library lovers like you can make an impact with a year-end gift that will empower the Los Angeles Public Library to thrive for generations to come.

Keeping You Connected 

Since March, the Library has swiftly improved its virtual platforms to provide even greater accessibility to ideas and information across all audiences. Summer at the Library, one of the most popular literacy programs throughout the Library’s history, moved online this year, offering entertaining and educational reading activities to engage kids and adults. “Reading is important because in a funny way it helps me stay sane and it gives me a better imagination ‘cause it helps me escape from what’s happening right now into a world of a book,” said Leah Flores, a young patron of the Ben Franklin Library who mastered the Summer Reading challenge (pictured, left).

Keeping You Safe

Rising to the challenges of this ever-changing world, librarians have been tirelessly working to help patrons navigate digital resources. As Senior Librarian Tina Princenthal told the Los Angeles Times about working the Library’s InfoNow desk from her home: “For my department it’s been very important that we’re able to really listen to people and reassure them that the things that they’re familiar with at the library, like having access to books, are available now in the form of e-books, and the things that they’re used to like coming into the library to read the newspaper, they can now do that through their computer.”

In addition to maintaining everyday services, librarians have also created a “Safer at Home” photo archive to document the experiences of Angelenos during this historical moment of the pandemic. Of course, one of the most exciting moments of the recovery process this summer was when the LAPL opened 20 branches for the Library To Go pickup service. Proving patrons were eager to check out physical books, over 115,000 holds were placed in just one month.

Keeping You Engaged

The Library’s ability to adapt and persevere has set a fierce example for how our community overcomes adversity. Individuals have flocked to the Library’s online resources seeking out learning opportunities. In just the first three months of the pandemic, 64,000 people signed up for an e-card to access e-books, audiobooks, streaming media, and more. Over 1,014,446 items were digitally borrowed in April 2020—a one-month record for the Library.

While in-person schools have been closed, virtual storytimes were viewed 35,500 times between April and June, while 17,786 students logged into Live Homework Help between March and June for online tutoring. Almost 40,000 participants have taken part in STEAM programming, including online science and engineering workshops. Even in a time of crisis, the Library inspires learning and provides free access to essential resources.

The Los Angeles Public Library has remained a steady comfort to our communities through this period of change, and our Library staff have worked hard to keep you and your families connected, safe, and engaged while Covid keeps us apart. The free digital resources provided by the Library to millions of Angelenos have proven to be more critical and in-demand than ever.

Making a gift to the Library Foundation before December 31 will help keep the Library RESILIENT throughout this pandemic, help families RECOVER with free educational and professional services, and REBUILD the Library of the 21st century with equitable access to free digital resources for everyone.

Visit LFLA.org/Give by December 31 to have your gift MATCHED
by Wendy Smith and Barry Meyer up to $15,000!

More ways to give by December 31: 

• Gifts of appreciated securities, such as stock and mutual funds, are excellent ways to support the Library and may provide generous tax savings.
• If you are 70 1/2 or older, up to $100,000 can be distributed tax-free from your Individual Retirement Account to support the Library.
• Consider making a charitable gift through your Donor Advised Fund.
• Call 213.292.6242 to make your gift over the phone.
• Gifts can be mailed to the Library Foundation of Los Angeles,
  630 W. 5th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071. Tax ID # 95-4368250.

Please contact Sharon Padua, Director of Major and Planned Gifts at [email protected] with any questions or to learn more.

On behalf of everyone at the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, THANK YOU for supporting us this year, and for giving generously to champion the work of the Los Angeles Public Library.