Most libraries offer physical materials, electronic resources and some type of professional guidance for its patrons.
The East Los Angeles College Library, and other college or academic libraries, makes resources and services available to students and faculty. They have more scholarly and academic-focused materials and resources available, along with librarians who often have subject specialties.
Public libraries make resources and services available to the general public who live within their service area. They have more popular and general interest materials and resources available, along with library staff.
Both your college library and the public library are available for you to use, and they both offer resources that are free to you for academic, work, or personal use.
This guide will focus on resources available through the LA County Library and Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL), but you should sign up for a library card with other library systems as they can allow you more and different access to resources, and supporting your local library is always a good thing!
LA County Library serves Los Angeles County.
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) serves the City of Los Angeles.
To access most of the materials, resources and services offered by different libraries, you will need an account. At your college library, access is available with your student ID. At a public library, you will need a library card. Both LA County Library and LAPL offer digital library accounts and full access library cards.
Link to LA County Library Digital Library Card Application
Link to LAPL E-Card Application
Public libraries are the best resources for finding popular fiction and nonfiction books. Search each library for physical and electronic resources:
