Los Angeles Public Library: How to Use the Public Library Database

This page contains general information, such as how to use the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) website to get help from a librarian or to browse catalogs and place holds on books.

The LAPL website has a variety of functions, most of which require a library card.

1.  On this page there are three ways to have on-demand help from a librarian: you can call the infoNow service at 213-228-7272, Click Here To E-mail A Librarian or Click Here To Chat With A Librarian.

2. Use the catalog.  Here, you can search the entire LAPL catalog by putting any related information inside the search box (for example, you can write in something direct, such as "Harry potter" [to find a Harry Potter book] or something a bit more obscure, such as "kipling jungle" to find Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book).  Remember, the LAPL also has CDs, DVDs, tapes and records, so you can run a search for "Usher CD" or "Reservoir Dogs" and get a copy of those items.

3. Placing holds.  Once you find what you're looking for, you can place a hold by pressing the "Place Hold" button on the left and the item will be delivered to your library so you can pick it up.

4. Use the research databases.