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    Pico Union Branch Library

    3.3 (15 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Pico Union Branch Library Photos

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    James K.

    I come this library every single day and I have never ever had problems every single time I go in to this library. I am always cool with the librarians and the librarians are cool with me. They are very nice cool people. I will never ever stop going to this library and this library is really close to where I live. Walking distance

    JG W.

    surprisingly nice interior at this branch of the library. i noted it was redone in 2004, and this was a success! i expected greater manginess because of the location on alvarado south of olympic, but was rewarded with tidy dapperness. unfortuately, there was only one employee at the check-out desk, who was with a guy who had an ongoing complaint, so i ultimately gave up waiting to check something out and hoofed it. still, it's nice to finally see how civilized it is in there.

    Library haul on a rainy day

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    9 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Went to this library to get a library card. The process was easy, and the head librarian helped me with getting the apps.

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    8 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    Ask the Community - Pico Union Branch Library

    Central Library

    Central Library

    4.4(608 reviews)
    1.4 miDowntown

    What a beautiful library! Playing tourists in our own state so we stopped by. Beautiful building…read more Such a large building! We walked around to take a look and they are celebrating years! There was something going on though when we walked in. 3 cops were there kinda guarding the door. Guess that's LA.

    Our visit to the Central Library came about over morning coffee while looking around for a place to…read morepass the time on a beautiful Saturday. After reading the history and significance of this amazing library, along with the glowing reviews and pictures on Yelp, how have we not visited before? We arrived around 1pm. Parking at the library was super easy in the surprisingly clean, multi-level underground space. We were then pleasantly surprised by the AAPI event. We were given cute tote bags with information about the free festival along with fans, notebooks and pencils. There were several activities going on like Lei Making and traditional Japanese dance lessons. We came across a table where we were given a special edition K-pop CD package and information on learning the Korean language. We had a wonderful time! The library itself was simply amazing. Being our first time, our minds were on overload with so much to explore at every turn. I especially enjoyed the Getty Gallery. The architecture is quite the marvel. Even the elevators thoughtfully designed with old index cards were so cool. After walking every floor, we finally settled ourselves at a reading table on -2 where we also discovered the Octavia Lab -- wonderful place! The technology available in this space is just incredible. As others have mentioned, there are many, many homeless people throughout the library. Some sections are overwhelmed with odor that hits you like a brick and it was hard to just breathe. These areas are easy enough to avoid and as one reviewer suggested -- bring hand sanitizer! Now that we have a better understanding of how to navigate this historical library, we'll be keeping an eye on upcoming events or return to just explore more.

    Photos
    Central Library - That's Kenny Blues Boss Wayne at Night at the Library 05/02/26

    That's Kenny Blues Boss Wayne at Night at the Library 05/02/26

    Central Library - Current display 1/26

    Current display 1/26

    Central Library - Entrance & My New Library Card

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    Entrance & My New Library Card

    The Last Bookstore - Have a seat, it's quite warm. #heater

    The Last Bookstore

    4.5(2.7k reviews)
    1.8 miDowntown
    $$

    Walking into The Last Bookstore feels less like entering a shop and more like stepping into a…read moredifferent world. Housed inside a former bank, the space already carries this grand, historic energy that sets the tone before you even start browsing. What makes this place unforgettable is how it's designed to be explored, not rushed. There are cozy spots scattered throughout where you can sit and get lost in a book, but the real magic is upstairs. It opens into a maze of rooms, each with its own personality, filled with carefully arranged books that feel more like art than inventory. At times, it genuinely feels like you've wandered into a dream. One of the highlights is the famous tunnel of books, which adds to that surreal, almost cinematic experience. Everywhere you turn, books are used as decor in the most creative ways, and it creates this quiet moment where everything else fades out. Upstairs also holds one of my favorite parts, a row of art studios featuring work from local artists. Every piece feels intentional, unique, and thoughtfully placed. Right nearby, there's a small coffee shop surrounded by beautiful artwork, making it an easy place to pause and take it all in. This isn't a quick stop kind of place. Plan to spend a few hours here, wandering, discovering, and just enjoying the atmosphere. It's one of the most iconic bookstores I've ever been to, and it absolutely lives up to the reputation.

    from my experience, the last bookstore is one of those places that, if you've seen it on instagram,…read moreyou already know the one. it's definitely more of a destination than a practical bookstore you'd go to shop at. my instagram feed has seen a few cameos from friends and strangers who've visited, and after seeing it pop up a few times, a friend and i decided to stop by a little while back. that said, i wouldn't really recommend it if you're going in search of a specific book. it's less "grab a book and go" and more "wander and hope something finds you." everything feels pretty scattered, so if you are looking for something in particular, be ready to spend a good amount of time browsing. it does get unbelievably hot inside, especially when the weekend crowds pick up for photos in the iconic book tunnels, shelves, and art installations upstairs. it's definitely a unique shop, but it really leans more "experience" than "practical bookstore." it feels a bit like a bookstore where the real plot is the decor, and the books are almost supporting characters in their own store. i did find it funny how they call out shoplifters with signs outside the entrance though. i've been once, took my photos (bc duh), checked it off the list, and happily moved on.

    Photos
    The Last Bookstore - 2nd floor

    2nd floor

    The Last Bookstore - Book Photo Op

    Book Photo Op

    The Last Bookstore - Welcome to The Last Bookstore.

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    Welcome to The Last Bookstore.

    LA County Library - Culver City Library - I made dis!

    LA County Library - Culver City Library

    3.9(83 reviews)
    7.3 mi

    Came here to knock out three birds with one stone, and it went as smooth as a hot knife through…read morewarm butter! Goal #1 was to print out the IRS EIN# for my new biz, as well as a few other documents. Goal #2 was to scan those documents down to an email. Goal #3 was to hopefully obtain some paperwork that would explain this particular library circulation policy. The customer service and staff here were solid and answered all of my questions as it pertained to the various loans, renewals, overdue materials, etc. The library itself is clean and they do a good job of maintaining a quiet, and productive atmosphere. And although I didn't see any today, on occasion it looks like they have security here. Would highly recommend.

    This place is amazing. I come here for story time with my little one and it's so much fun. The…read morelibrary itself is very clean and the staff here are great. There is so much seating area, tables so you can study and get homework done or just research. They have these cool little rooms if you needed to have a study group or small meetings as well. They do have a bigger auditorium for events or just conferences. Their bathrooms they have to buzz you in just because there are many homeless that tend to hang here. There are also other bathrooms that are kid friendly and you need a key for those. Their kid area is great and lots of fun books and areas for them to study and they also have computers you can check out for homework and fun games. I come here once a week and love it!

    Photos
    LA County Library - Culver City Library - Outside

    Outside

    LA County Library - Culver City Library - Kids area

    Kids area

    LA County Library - Culver City Library

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    Pico Union Branch Library - libraries - Updated June 2026

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