William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, Rare book library in West Adams, Los Angeles, US.
The William Andrews Clark Memorial Library is a rare book library in West Adams that occupies five landscaped acres with Mediterranean Revival architecture. The building features intricate brickwork, manicured gardens, and garden pavilions that create a scholarly setting for research and study.
The library was constructed between 1924 and 1926 by William Andrews Clark Jr., a wealthy collector who assembled the book collection over decades. He donated both the building and his accumulated holdings to the University of California to ensure the collection would be preserved permanently.
The library is named after its founder and benefactor, who envisioned it as a refuge for serious book study. Visitors experience it as a place devoted entirely to preserving literary heritage and supporting scholarship on classical English texts.
The reading room is open Monday through Friday from 11:30 am to 4:30 pm, but visitors must schedule an appointment in advance. It is essential to contact the library beforehand to arrange access, as walk-in visits are not accommodated.
The library holds one of the world's largest collections devoted to Oscar Wilde, containing photographs, portraits, caricatures, playbills, and historical press coverage. This exceptional gathering of materials makes it a destination for researchers studying this Victorian writer and his cultural impact.
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