April 29, 1986 arson fire

The 1986 fires that devastated the Central Library galvanized the city. Corporate and community leaders responded immediately, launching a Save the Books campaign to raise funds to replace the more than 400,000 destroyed volumes.

The response was tremendous: thousands of people volunteered, millions of dollars were raised, and a legacy was created.

Lodwrick M. Cook, then Chairman and CEO of ARCO, was the driving force behind Save the Books. He saw in this outpouring of support a city that was passionate about libraries. Coincidentally, this was all taking place at a time when libraries across the country were struggling with shrinking budgets.

	Mr. Cook and Mayor Bradley

Mr. Cook, along with local civic leaders, believed the time had come to follow a tradition established long ago by universities and colleges -- creating public/private partnerships committed to ensuring continued growth and development of valued institutions.

In 1992, the Library Foundation of Los Angeles was established to raise private sector support to benefit the entire Library system -- its 71 branches and, of course, the Central Library. Mr. Cook became the Foundation's first Chairman, and many of his Save the Books colleagues joined as founding members of the Board of Directors.

Visit the Accomplishments page for a brief summary of some of the programs and services made possible by the generous donors of the Library Foundation since 1992.

The Library Foundation of Los Angeles is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Tax I.D. #95-4368250.

 
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