Gotta catch 'em all.
October 26, 2010 4:04 PM Subscribe
How many separate library systems are there in the greater Los Angeles area?
Right now, I have four library cards: Burbank, Pasadena, Los Angeles, and Los Angeles County.
Until yesterday, I thought this probably covered all the nearby libraries, since it seemed that LA County libraries were the sole libraries in some cities. I was wrong! I discovered that Altadena has its own, separate library system. I then looked it up and discovered that Glendale has its own library system as well.
Are there more around here? I live in Burbank and spend most of my time north of downtown LA, usually no further east than Arcadia and no further west than Tarzana. It is unusual for me to go any further south than Torrance.
Oh: Arcadia has its own, too. And, uh, Torrance. So that's eight, now... and Santa Monica makes nine...
I ask for two reasons:
1. It amuses to me carry a deck of library cards, and
2. I actually end up checking things out from all the libraries for which I have cards: I often have trouble finding obscure audiobooks, and sometimes books as well. You'd think the LAPL system would have anything the others do, due to its sheer size, but that's often not the case.
I have tried to search for this on wikipedia and Google, but if a list exists, I am not using the magic words. It does not seem as simple as searching for each individual city because Altadena is unincorporated and has its own libraries, and some cities do not have their own. Thanks for any info!
Right now, I have four library cards: Burbank, Pasadena, Los Angeles, and Los Angeles County.
Until yesterday, I thought this probably covered all the nearby libraries, since it seemed that LA County libraries were the sole libraries in some cities. I was wrong! I discovered that Altadena has its own, separate library system. I then looked it up and discovered that Glendale has its own library system as well.
Are there more around here? I live in Burbank and spend most of my time north of downtown LA, usually no further east than Arcadia and no further west than Tarzana. It is unusual for me to go any further south than Torrance.
Oh: Arcadia has its own, too. And, uh, Torrance. So that's eight, now... and Santa Monica makes nine...
I ask for two reasons:
1. It amuses to me carry a deck of library cards, and
2. I actually end up checking things out from all the libraries for which I have cards: I often have trouble finding obscure audiobooks, and sometimes books as well. You'd think the LAPL system would have anything the others do, due to its sheer size, but that's often not the case.
I have tried to search for this on wikipedia and Google, but if a list exists, I am not using the magic words. It does not seem as simple as searching for each individual city because Altadena is unincorporated and has its own libraries, and some cities do not have their own. Thanks for any info!
I worked for years for the Beverly Hills Public Library and highly recommend it.
posted by Pineapplicious at 4:20 PM on October 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Pineapplicious at 4:20 PM on October 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
Don't forget the Long Beach Public Libraries (twelve branches). I know you don't tend to go further south than Torrance, but just in case. . . .
posted by chicainthecity at 4:32 PM on October 26, 2010
posted by chicainthecity at 4:32 PM on October 26, 2010
Does California have something like Texas has? This is a list of all the library systems in TX which participate in the Tex-Share library program. I do the same thing you do - get library cards from all the libraries in 3 counties so I never have to buy a book. I think I sometimes spend more in gas/time than the book would have cost, but still, it was free.
posted by CathyG at 5:01 PM on October 26, 2010
posted by CathyG at 5:01 PM on October 26, 2010
Torrance and Redondo Beach have their own library systems. There's a Torrance branch of the LA Central Library as well.
posted by mnemonic at 5:44 PM on October 26, 2010
posted by mnemonic at 5:44 PM on October 26, 2010
Best answer: Oh, you totally need the California Libraries Catalog! You can search for a book at all California libraries, and once you search you can put in your location to find the closest libraries. I use it ALL the time, and then have the book sent to the closest branch--LA County and LA Public both do this for free, and lots of smaller library systems will hold for free as well...
posted by lemonade at 6:22 PM on October 26, 2010
posted by lemonade at 6:22 PM on October 26, 2010
Best answer: There's lots and lots (speaking as a former library student who got her degree in LA--in fact, I interned at one of the Burbank PLs). Metropolitan Cooperative Library System (MCLS) is mainly a group of LA libraries and you can find a list of them here.
Even better, you can also check this handy list of libraries in LA County (warning: there really is a ton!).
Finally, to be utterly and completely comprehensive, here is the official California directory page. There's also a cool map if you're so inclined where you can zoom in on LA to see what all's there (ignore the numbers and look for the little normal Google flaggy things).
posted by librarylis at 10:24 PM on October 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
Even better, you can also check this handy list of libraries in LA County (warning: there really is a ton!).
Finally, to be utterly and completely comprehensive, here is the official California directory page. There's also a cool map if you're so inclined where you can zoom in on LA to see what all's there (ignore the numbers and look for the little normal Google flaggy things).
posted by librarylis at 10:24 PM on October 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
Have you thought about asking one of your local librarians this question?
posted by knile at 2:53 AM on October 27, 2010
posted by knile at 2:53 AM on October 27, 2010
Response by poster: Oh my god, lemonade, I REALLY wanted a way to search all the libraries but I didn't think one actually existed. Thank you so much!!
posted by Nattie at 10:03 AM on October 27, 2010
posted by Nattie at 10:03 AM on October 27, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Ideefixe at 4:17 PM on October 26, 2010