TESSA supports Los Angeles Public Library’s mission to provide free and easy access to information and ideas that enrich, educate and empower our patrons by sharing an online sample of objects stewarded by three departments: History (Map Collection), Photo, and Special Collections. Our online collections strive to reflect our city’s diverse communities and histories. We carefully select items based on relevance, legality, ethics, safety, restrictions, redundancy, and resources. Publication decisions are solely at our discretion.

Learn more about the Map Collection here. Photo Collection’s physical collection is not available to view in-person, but more information can be found on this FAQ. To view more items from the Special Collections Department, please make an appointment here.

TESSA is named after Tessa Kelso (1863-1933), sixth City Librarian of Los Angeles. Kelso was a true maverick with moxie. From 1889 to 1895, she transformed LAPL from a small reading room into a truly modern metropolitan library, growing the library’s collection sevenfold. She was ahead of her time, abolishing membership fees, and agitating for open stacks. She established the first systematic training for library employees, and was also an early advocate of women’s rights. In 2017, Kelso received the long overdue recognition of being inducted into the California Library Hall of Fame.

As public stewards of collections that represent all the people of our city, we dedicate this site in honor of Tessa Kelso. By making our collections free and accessible to all, we are continuing her incredible gift and legacy to all Angelenos.