Central 100:
A Library, a Century,
a Public Experience

—


For Central Library’s 100th anniversary, WeAreGiants worked with the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) to bring a century of collections, architecture, and public service into view. Building on LAPL’s research and curatorial direction, we developed the centennial identity, designed exhibitions and publications, and coordinated production with Library staff, artists, and fabricators.



The challenge:
Make a century accessible

The centennial drew on material from across the Library: archival photographs, architectural plans, objects, and the expertise of its staff. Our task was to make those stories clear and engaging, whether visitors knew Central Library well or were visiting for the first time.



EXHIBITION PLANNING AND DESIGN DEVELOPMENT


The design also had to work across distinct galleries and active public spaces. Each exhibition needed its own character, clear information, and room for visitors to explore, while belonging to the larger centennial celebration.


An identity drawn from
Central Library

LAPL’s “Light of Learning” theme and an early concept from the centennial co-chairs guided the identity. Together, we explored the Library’s architectural details before choosing its tiled pyramid as the main symbol for the “100” mark.


The selected design draws on the Library’s entrance lettering, tiled pyramid, and interior colors and patterns. We developed those references into a graphic system for exhibitions, publications, banners, and centennial materials. Variations in the logo, palette, and patterns allowed the identity to adapt to different subjects and formats.




Light of Learning:
Eleven books, eleven departments

For the Light of Learning exhibition, LAPL’s curatorial team envisioned its subject departments as books. We developed that idea with Library staff and fabrication partners into eleven human-scale displays. Each book has a distinct cover and spine, interpretive text and images, and an illuminated case containing books, archival materials, and objects selected by department staff.

Through conversations with subject librarians, we learned what makes each department distinctive and helped shape that knowledge into concise, inviting stories. Visitors can browse the displays for an introduction or spend time with the details. A common structure brings the books together, while their contents and individual designs reflect the range of the Library’s collections.

The Spine of the System

The Spine of the System introduces the people and departments whose work supports Central Library’s public services. We worked with staff to develop an exhibition combining historical and contemporary photographs, selected objects, and accounts of work visitors rarely see.

To explain work that photographs alone could not easily show, we developed scenes with the participating departments and art directed a series of illustrations by Jose Pimienta. His drawings depict the people, decisions, and daily tasks behind the Library’s services.

Video courtesy of Los Angeles Public Library


History, architecture
and ideas that never were

Three exhibitions explored Central Library’s architecture, art, and unrealized possibilities. LAPL’s curators and archival teams assembled plans, drawings, photographs, and objects; we developed the graphic and spatial design for each exhibition.

The Centrals That Never Were examines alternate sites and building proposals. The Art and Architecture of a Los Angeles Icon connects the Library’s design and artworks with the spaces visitors can explore today.

For The Artwork That Never Was, we also worked with specialist collaborators on two contemporary interpretations of unrealized proposals: an interactive audio installation responding to Stephen Prina’s proposed Atrium Clock, and a three-dimensional book sculpture study responding to Buzz Spector’s proposed Board Room piece. Presented alongside LAPL’s historical research, these new works offer interpretations of the proposals rather than reconstructions.


The Centrals That Never Were

ARCHIVAL PLANS AND PROPOSALS REVEAL THE CENTRAL LIBRARY THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN.




The Artwork That Never Was

UNREALIZED PROPOSALS SIT ALONGSIDE CONTEMPORARY INTERPRETATIONS DEVELOPED FOR THE CENTENNIAL.




The Art and Architecture of a Los Angeles Icon

THE BUILDING’S DESIGN AND ARTWORKS BECOME A STORY VISITORS CAN EXPLORE IN THE SPACE ITSELF.



Beyond the galleries

We extended the Central 100 identity into the Library’s public spaces, programs, and everyday use. Publications, reading challenge materials, staff apparel, merchandise, and a limited-edition library card gave the centennial a consistent presence across the Library.


STREET POLE BANNERS


ART & ARCHITECTURE SELF-GUIDED TOUR


BEANSTACK READING CHALLENGE PINS + LAPL STAFF PIN

BEANSTACK READING CHALLENGE COLORING SHEETS



CROWN AND BOOKMARK IN ACTION

CROWN AND BOOKMARK




OVERSIZED LIBRARY CARD IN ACTION


LAPL STAFF T-SHIRTS


Video courtesy of Los Angeles Public Library




Library Store Merchandise

From Design to Opening

We coordinated with LAPL staff, artists, and fabrication partners as the work moved from concepts to installed displays. Our role included refining exhibition text, preparing production artwork, reviewing proofs, and resolving design details across multiple galleries and public spaces.

For the oversized books, that meant working through object placement, lighting, power, and fabrication requirements while preserving the content each department wanted to share. Coordination continued through installation, including the wrapping and finishing work shown below.
Results

Central 100 brought the Library’s history, collections, and daily work into five exhibitions, including eleven oversized books representing its subject departments. A shared visual identity extended across the exhibitions, publications, and centennial materials used throughout the building and beyond.

In follow-up feedback, staff praised how the books represented their departments, the opportunities to contribute, and clear communication throughout the process. The feedback also described how the exhibit helped introduce patrons to the Library’s resources.

Credits

Los Angeles Public Library:
Central 100 co-chairs Christina Rice and Madeline Peña provided project direction and guided development of the centennial identity. Rice and James Sherman co-curated the exhibitions. LAPL’s subject librarians, archival teams, and participating departments contributed research, collections, stories, and review.

WeAreGiants:
Creative direction, visual identity, exhibition and interpretive design, content development, and production coordination.

Project team and collaborators: Chris Alves, Leah Couvelier, Melodie Pisciotti, Greg Burkett, Amanda Colgan, and Patrick Dodough.

Specialist collaborators and fabricators:
Illustration — Jose Pimienta, The Spine of the System;
Shing Yin Khor, Art & Architecture Self Guided Tour

Oversized books — Fabrication: Mathew Timmons / MountArt

Lead Preparator — LeRoy Stevens / Thought Projects

The Artwork That Never Was — Nils Davey / PBZ, book sculpture study;
Clay Schmitt / Canopy, Atrium Clock audio interpretation.

Art & Architecture Self Guided Tour —
Docents: Karina Buck and Kate Kaplan.

Merchandise photos courtesy of The Library Store