Back on October 3, 1993, Angelenos celebrated the re-opening of the cherished downtown Central Library, which had been closed for seven long years after an arsonist's fire destroyed more than one third of its books. The re-opening was a great source of pride because architects were able to add a beautiful new wing to the library without sacrificing its original wing. Remarkably, the historical Rotunda and paintings survived the fire. Since the re-opening, the library is once again a citadel of study and research, as well as an important contributor to the cultural life of the city. Prominent authors regularly appear at literary events open to the public, and there are numerous activities aimed at children.