Los Angeles Library Displays World's Largest Pop-up Book
The record-breaking book celebrates the centennial anniversary of the Richard J. Riordan Central Library.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Puppetry
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The Richard J. Riordan Central Library in Los Angeles is currently showcasing the world's largest pop-up book, an installation titled Luceros y Penumbras. Guinness World Records officially certified the massive literary work for its record-setting size.
Why it matters
Commissioned to commemorate the library's 100th anniversary, the installation highlights the intersection of engineering and traditional storytelling. The project serves as a landmark attraction for the local community during the anniversary celebrations.
The book measures 15.41 feet by 20.01 feet when fully opened, with pop-up elements reaching heights of 11 feet. A team of 10 people is required to turn the pages using large sticks.
The players
Daniel González
He is the artist who authored the record-breaking pop-up book titled Luceros y Penumbras.
Matthew Reinhart
He is a paper engineer who contributed to the complex design of the installation.
Ann Marshall
She is a paper engineer who worked alongside Matthew Reinhart to engineer the book's pop-up structures.
Goodnight & Co.
This firm was responsible for the fabrication of the massive pop-up book.
Richard J. Riordan Central Library
It is the main branch of the Los Angeles Public Library system currently hosting the exhibit.
The details
Artist Daniel González authored the book, while paper engineers Matthew Reinhart and Ann Marshall designed the complex structures. Fabrication for the project was completed by Goodnight & Co.
Timeline
October 26, 2026: The book is currently on display at the library.
Industry Dynamics
This installation reflects a broader trend of cultural institutions using massive, record-breaking physical attractions to engage visitors in an increasingly digital world. The project positions the library as a premier destination for large-scale immersive art rather than just a traditional archive.
Visitors can view the installation during regular library hours at the Richard J. Riordan Central Library. Because of the size of the book, guests should be prepared to observe the page-turning process, which requires a specialized team and manual equipment.
The takeaway
Large-scale artistic installations like this pop-up book demonstrate how classic paper engineering can scale to monumental dimensions. Readers interested in paper design can look for public engineering demonstrations to better understand the complexity behind such massive movable structures.
Further reading
For more on local arts exhibitions, see our section on Puppetry.
Source note: This article includes information reported by UPI.
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