WHAT THE HAL?? PODCAST 2.0 – EPISODE 15

LA City Library at 100: Innovation, Community and a Century of Learning

For 100 years, the Los Angeles Public Library has served as a cornerstone of education, culture, and community engagement. But today’s library is much more than books on shelves.

In this episode, Hal Eisner, Elsa Ramon, and Hunter Lowry explore the past, present, and future of the Los Angeles Public Library with library leaders Christina Rice and Madeline Peña Feliz. From podcast studios and 3D printers to museum passes and technology lending programs, the conversation highlights how libraries continue to evolve to meet the needs of modern communities.

The discussion also looks back at the devastating 1986 Central Library fire, the community effort that helped rebuild one of Los Angeles’ most treasured institutions, and how libraries are preserving history while embracing emerging technologies.

KEY TOPICS

• Celebrating the Los Angeles Public Library’s 100th anniversary

• How libraries have evolved beyond traditional books and reading rooms

• The Octavia Lab and the growing role of technology in public libraries

• Library programs supporting immigrants, students, and lifelong learners

• Free access to museum passes, hotspots, STEM kits, and technology through a library card

• The impact of the 1986 Central Library fire and the community’s recovery efforts

• Preserving history through archives, artifacts, and time capsules

• The future of libraries in a digital world

• Career opportunities in library science and public service

• Why libraries remain one of the most valuable free resources available to communities

Support the podcast

https://buymeacoffee.com/haleisner

Original Theme Music Composed by Stuart Pearson

https://stuartpearsonmusic.com

Listen to Previous Episodes

https://audioboom.com/channels/4960408-what-the-hal

RESOURCES & LINKS

https://lapl.org

https://lapl.org/central100

https://lapl.org/branches/central-library

https://lapl.org/tech2go

https://libbyapp.com

CONNECT

Hal Eisner

https://instagram.com/haleisner/

https://facebook.com/haleisner/

https://x.com/HalEisner

Elsa Ramon

https://instagram.com/elsamramon/

https://x.com/ElsaMRamon

Hunter Lowry

https://instagram.com/serendipitychick/