It may be widely known for being a place that houses books for anyone interested in reading, but visitors and members of the L.A. County Library and Los Angeles Public Library systems know that L.A.’s libraries are about far more than books.

From job readiness to story time with pups, library activities encapsulate fun, community, mental health, family assistance and, of course, library services. And you can access these opportunities in person and online. A great place to learn more about the L.A. County Library is through its YouTube channel. We love keeping tabs on the L.A. Public Library through its exciting and quirky Instagram account.

For more information about what’s happening within the county system, visit the events section of its website. Below are some of the programs offered at the L.A. County libraries below. Check the L.A. Public Library’s events page and services and programs section for services, events and programs that are just as robust.

Work Ready is a series of workshops for those looking either to enter into the workforce, are looking to make a change in their careers or simply want to remain current on changing workforce needs. There are different courses, including a chance to update your resume, be exposed to new ways of working or learn what employers are looking for when hiring. The length of the sessions range between 75 to 90 minutes. Most of these classes are virtual and happen weekly.

Meditation – Few would argue that we are living in stressful times. Accordingly, there is an area within the library system dedicated to meditation. Here, you can learn various techniques that can help you to reduce your stress levels. These meditation sessions are an hour long and are broken and into two sections. The meetings, led by instructor Doug Frankel, are not recorded.

Get to Know Libby  – If you know that you’d like to spend more time using the library, knowing how to use it is crucial. That’s why this program operates virtually monthly. Get schooled on how to check out an audiobook or ebook.

Smarty Pants Storytime  – Want to help your young ones love to learn and get ready for school? Well, check your local branch to sign up for Smarty Pants Storytime, where kids ages 2-5 can start building strong learning habits. Young kids become familiar with routine and are exposed to books, singing songs, movement and rhyme, readying them for school. It is all done only with the help of a parent, guardian or caregiver. Classes are held in person on Friday mornings. The time may vary depending on the branch, but sessions run for 30 minutes. Register online.

Baby-Toddler Storytime – Similar to the above-mentioned program, this one operates with a similar agenda of helping the little ones acclimate to a bigger world. The library designed the program for babies to toddlers ages 0-2 to help them build up their cognitive and motor skills through pre-literacy programs and singing songs, rhymes and movement. And just like Smarty Pants Storytime, these babies and toddlers can only participate if they’re accompanied by a parent, guardian or caregiver. The time is also a 30-minute course held on Friday mornings. Please check your branch for the exact time as they may vary from branch to branch. Register online.

New Parents Engagement –  If you’re new to the system and want to learn more about it, you can have your questions answered through this program, including how to do research on a particular topic for a class assignment for the young scholar in your life, how to get a library card or how to use the various services the library provides. These sessions last 30 minutes and are held virtually.

Heart and Hand – This is a lecture series that covers various topics. Some are focused on children; others may be something fun, such as discussing a book or author geared toward adults only. Topic themes are often associated with the national month themes, such as Women’s History Month. The talks run for an hour and happen virtually once a month.

Author Talk –  If you love reading and want to hear from your favorite author, this series may be the right one for you. Held on Tuesdays for one hour, the time varies just like the author in conversation. These virtual conversations are available after registration. Check ahead of time to find out who the next author is and when the talk will take place.

Trailblazers in Conversation – If you need honest advice or want to learn from someone you admire, check out this series of people who have broken down the roads you’ve only begun to travel. The conversations happen once every few months and last an hour. The next one is in March.

There are several other programs for kids, including a book club, reading with the dogs for children and art classes… just to name a few. These events are in person, with an estimated run of an hour for most events. Please check the site and the event calendar for more information and don’t forget to register beforehand.

For anyone who may need assistance pursuing education on any level, the library also offers help in that area. Find out more here.  

On the library’s YouTube, you can find videos that cover everything from events to other essential information that only the library can provide.