Boutique filled with cultural artifacts, history books and art prints, not to mention introspective Angelenos.

by Contributor

In Short
Searching for a gift that screams "cultural literacy"? You'll find it here. Quieter than the library in which it is located, the Library Store is a mellow retreat of subtle lighting and beige tones. Shoppers are mostly middle-aged bibliophiles poring over L.A. history books like Mike Davis' "City of Quartz," and tactile delights such as scented candles, reproduction jewelry, mini woven Moroccan baskets and Frank Lloyd Wright stained glass.

02/09/07

Shopping at the Library

by lwmango

It's surprising to find such a chic gift shop in a public library. Located in the Grand Central Los Angeles Public library downtown, it's great for picking up a well-designed card, delicate piece of jewelry, or witty book on your lunch break. There's a section devoted to Los Angeles travel and art books for tourists or natives wanting to further their knowledge of the city and a rotating stock of coffee table books, tote bags and purses, and artistmade jewelry. The store offers designer items like jewelry from Alexis Bittar and purses from LoopNYC as well as kookier items like cutesy Japanese stationery and t-shirts declaring "I like boys in glasses". I also enjoy the large selection of post cards and magnets featuring vintage images of LA scenes or '50s housewives. There's also usually a sale about once a month, with a variety of cards, books, and gift items on sale for 25%-50% off. Best of all, the profits benefit the Library Foundation, a nonprofit organization that funds literary programs for children and teens.

• Pros: Rotating stock of products, Friendly Staff
• Cons: Parking can be tricky