The ongoing wildfires devastating Los Angeles have destroyed Los Angeles Public Library's (LAPL) Palisades branch. To date, at least 24 people have died as a result of the fires, and more than 12,000 structures have been destroyed, according to news reports.
Fox 11 Los Angeles had a reporter live on the scene last week as the library and surrounding buildings burned. The footage is heartbreaking.
The Palisades branch posted a message on its Instagram page on January 14 in remembrance. They wrote:
It is with great sadness that we report the loss of our beloved Palisades Branch Library. We are eternally grateful to the amazing staff, volunteers and community members who have contributed to the growth of the Palisades Branch Library.
It has been an extraordinarily difficult week for Los Angeles. We have witnessed unimaginable devastation, but through it all, there have been inspiring stories of communities coming together. Los Angeles Public Library locations are here for Angelenos to seek refuge during this time. Please visit us at lapl.org/be-ready for Emergency Information and Resources.
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Joyce Cooper, director of branch library services at LAPL, joined WBUR's Here and Now on January 14 to discuss what's lost when a library burns down.
"We were all in shock when it happened," she said. "It was so heartbreaking to see that beautiful library reduced to just rubble."
The loss of the library will hit the Palisades area hard, Cooper said.
"The community was very involved in attending programs and creating programs, just using library," she said. "Losing that library in a sense will disconnect that community even further. I feel like they don't have any anchors left to cling on to. We will try our best to get in there with services when it's safe to do so."
How to help
LAPL has established an LAPL staff emergency support fund to assist library staff who have lost their homes and belongings in the fires. LAPL says the funds will be distributed to staff impacted by the fires and provide library staff with relief for future disasters. Contributions will assist with:
- Temporary housing support: assisting with immediate shelter needs for displaced staff and their families.
- Essential supplies: providing clothing, food, and other necessities to help them get back on their feet.
- Emotional and mental health resources: ensuring staff have access to counseling and other forms of support as they navigate the recovery process.
LAPL has also set up a Palisades branch recovery fund to address immediate needs and ensure that they can continue to provide vital resources and services to the community on the path to rebuilding, which may include the following:
- Outreach and support services: providing critical information about access to services and ongoing educational resources, children’s programming, tutoring, and/or literacy support.
- Emergency relief assistance: assisting residents with filling out forms and applications for emergency relief.
- Access to free wi-fi hotspots and computers: helping residents stay connected.
On January 13, the American Library Association Executive Board released a statement detailing what library supporters can do to support communities affected by the wildfires.
The statement reads:
The American Library Association extends our deepest sympathies to those who have been affected by and to those who have lost everything during the Los Angeles area fires. We know that the Los Angeles Public Library’s Palisades Branch Library was destroyed, and we await word on others that may have been in the fire zone, including libraries of all kinds.
During such heartbreaking times, we also recognize the unwavering dedication of libraries to show up and step in where they can and to serve their communities with supplies and information. FEMA representatives have used seven libraries throughout Los Angeles County to answer residents’ questions and help them apply for disaster relief, while the Los Angeles County Topanga Library operated as a temporary shelter, handing out supplies to residents who gathered there.
Libraries are vital community institutions that provide refuge, distribute essential resources, and connect people to the information they need to navigate crises.
As we reflect on libraries’ essential role in society, the American Library Association affirms our commitment to supporting those affected by this disaster, the libraries serving as critical lifelines, and those communities with damaged or destroyed libraries to help provide funding for repairs.
The ALA has reached out to offer support to the California Library Association. We urge everyone to join us in supporting those impacted by these devastating wildfires.
Here are a few ways you can help:
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- Donate money to local relief efforts and to the ALA Disaster Relief Fund for damaged or destroyed libraries. We will work with the ALA Chapter to distribute funds.
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- Volunteer your time to local libraries and organizations mobilizing to assist those in need.
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- Advocate for policies and funding that ensure libraries can continue their critical work during and after disasters.
Together, we can reinforce our communities’ resilience. Libraries are pillars of support in times of need. Let us work united in our commitment to ensure that our libraries, schools, universities, and museums remain strong and accessible for all.
Sincerely,
The American Library Association Executive Board
Phil Morehart is editor of I Love Libraries and host of the "How I Library" podcast.
Photo: January 2025 Palisades fire by Cal Fire Official, via Flickr. CC BY-NC 2.0
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