The Outdoor Reading Rooms of Los Angeles Public Library

A postcard selling the lush surroundings of Pershing Square 

captures the Los Angeles Public Library outdoor library (circa early 1940s)

Outdoor reading rooms were very popular in Los Angeles during the late 1930s-early 1940s. Before the advent of Little Free Libraries, the Los Angeles Public Library had carts of books and magazines in downtown parks for people to borrow from and enjoy the sunshine while catching up on their reading. The October 1938 issue of The American City magazine listed reasons why folks might be more inclined to visit the book cart instead of going into the library to borrow materials. There was the perception amongst the patrons that there were "difficulties to be met in the library routine" including the indoor atmosphere and/or an embarrassment of their own unconventional garb (e.g. they were unable to afford "proper attire").

The park area behind the Central Library in August 1936 (view is from the Engstrom Hotel Apartments)

Photographer: G. Haven Bishop, Southern California Edison Photographs and negatives, Huntington Library

A man borrows a book from the Los Angeles Public Library outdoor library in Pershing Square [n.d]

California Historical Society/University of Southern California Digital Library

An outdoor library (initially a table with books and magazines) was tried (in 1936?) outside the Central Library where folks gathered in the park-like surroundings of the library to chat with others and people-watch but never actually came inside the library. A cart in Pershing Square was the second outdoor library. At the time Pershing Square was planted with semi-tropical trees and attracted not only wild birds but up to 100,000 people a day -- far more than the 2,500 seats available in the park. Due to the success of the outdoor libraries at the Central Library park and Pershing Square, a third outdoor library was started in Lafayette Park near the Felipe de Neve Branch.

Men heed the sign which says, "Los Angeles Public Library Borrow A Book To Read In The Park" in Pershing Square (circa 1937). Photographer: Herman J. Schultheis/Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection

Each of these outdoor libraries were open from approximately 9am to 4pm year-round and cared for by WPA workers. There were both books and magazines available to check out on the honor system, no need to produce a library card or sign your name. Magazines were far more popular with the outdoor readers. The books were often library discards, duplicates, or books that had been repaired. Due to the success of the outdoor libraries, especially the Pershing Square location, there was talk of adding outdoor libraries at other branch libraries that were near parks but I've yet to find evidence that this occurred.

A man peruses Los Angeles Public Library's outdoor library in Pershing Square (circa 1937)

Los Angeles Daily News Negatives/UCLA Library Digital Collections