The Central Library in downtown Los Angeles is home to 2.2 million volumes, including books, maps, CDs, DVDs and prints. Built in 1926, it was remodeled following a fire in 1992 and reopened a year later. The multilevel building is a popular destination judging from the 2.1 million bibliophiles who visited last year. We checked out some book lovers for a quick read on the library.
*
Ted Sweetser
Library fire -- An article in Sunday's Los Angeles Times Magazine about the Central Library said the library was damaged in a 1992 fire and reopened a year later. The fire was in 1986 and the library reopened in 1993.
For the Record
Space Mission Designer at JPL
Pasadena
What brings you here?
I brought some books back. I also bought some books at the book sale.
What are you returning?
Plays. My wife reads those. I'm more of a science fiction fan.
Your favorite read ever?
One is "The Dispossessed," science fiction by Ursula K. Le Guin. Libraries trust that people will return books. Why does the system work?
Because most people are trustworthy. I suspect the percentage of trustworthy readers is somewhat higher than the percentage of trustworthy people in general.
What book should be read more?
"Wittgenstein's Poker" by David Edmonds and John Eidinow.
It's about a confrontation between Ludwig Wittgenstein and Karl Popper, a couple of philosophy professors in the middle part of the last century.
*
David Moriarty
Stay-at-Home Dad, Los Angeles with daughter Ella, 2
Why are you here today?
To take Ella to the children's reading room.
What books are you browsing?
I'm reading a lot of nonfiction right now about politics and the state of the world.
Your favorite read ever?
"Rock Springs" by Richard Ford. It's short stories set mostly in Montana. He captures something about everyday people. He doesn't over-intellectualize his characters.
The library system depends on trust. Why does it work?
Generally when you trust people, they are trustworthy. That's what we try to teach Ella. When it looks like she's going to tear something up, we say, "Someone lent this to us. We have to be nice enough to bring it back in good condition." It doesn't stop her every time.
What great books should be read more?
The old classics and philosophical works. Take Plato's "Republic." It's amazing how something so old can be relevant today.
*
Rebecca Galvez
Computer Consultant
Culver City
Why are you here today?
