The Library Zine

2022 LAPL Creator In Residence Project

Before I began working with the Los Angeles Public Library as a Creator in Residence, I was unaware of the six regions that make up the library system. As I began researching potential ideas for projects, I became fascinated with not only the regions themselves but with the individual branches that they are composed of. It immediately became clear that I wanted to find a way to incorporate the vast, diverse, network of libraries into the work I was producing during my residency.

The idea to photograph and illustrate all 73 branches came together organically. As I was scouting locations to focus on for my main project, I thought that it would be interesting to blend my drawings and photographs into a zine of some kind. I decided that the best approach was to focus on a specific architectural aspect of each branch’s design as a way to emphasize the unique role each branch plays in the communities they serve. Each of the six zine covers combine the individual drawings into a collective illustration that is a visual representation of each region.

The Library Zine is meant to celebrate each branch as well as the Los Angeles Public Library System as a whole. Every library in the system is incredibly responsive to the needs of their patrons, providing services and programs on a local level in a welcoming environment for no cost. My hope is that it inspires you to visit your local branch and explore the others in the regions around you.