We’ve been waiting an entire strike to say these words: The Writers Guild Foundation Library (known colloquially as the WGA Library) will re-open to the public. YEAAAAAHHHH!!!
We’re open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 11am to 6pm and Thursdays 11am to 8pm by appointment only. To help you get your bearings and make sure your future visits to the library are as smooth and constructive as possible, we’ve put together this set of tips. We’ll call it Library 101. If you have further questions or need more information, as always, feel free to e-mail the library team at library@wgfoundation.org
For anybody new here, let’s start with the most basic of questions.
WHAT IS THE WRITERS GUILD FOUNDATION LIBRARY?
Located at the intersection of 3rd and Fairfax in Los Angeles on the first floor of the WGAW building, the Writers Guild Foundation Library is home to nearly 45,000 scripts. In the library’s collections, you’ll find scripts from every era of film and TV history, from silent films, classic sitcoms and late night monologues to sketches, scripts for current film releases and streaming series. We have video game scripts; books on the craft of writing; writers’ biographies; show bibles; and pitch documents. We also have a growing archive of one-of-a kind material including unproduced projects, letters, and development documents (stay tuned for a future Archive 101 post!). You can search our collection via our online catalog here.
WHO CAN USE THE LIBRARY?
Anyone can visit the WGF Library. We are open to the public, not just to WGA members. All you need is an appointment, which you can make online here.
We believe having access to great scripts can help you in your ongoing quest to become a better writer. Even the most successful film and TV scribes make it a habit to stop into the library to read—they know how vital it is to refine their taste, technique, and story sense.
Patrons come to read, to check the formatting of a specific show for the spec that they’re writing, or to take advantage of the quiet, productive atmosphere while under a tight deadline. It’s those who come in with focus, good-humor, a thirst for insight (and an appreciation of having access to otherwise hard-to-find materials) who ultimately get the most out of the library.
If you’re a student or scholar, we can also be a great resource if you’re using scripts in your film/TV/media research.
Unlike the public library, we don’t have conference rooms or places where you can work collaboratively. Our library works best for quiet script-reading, research or writing.
HOW DO I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?
All the information you need for making an appointment is right here.
At present, we are not able to accommodate walk-ins. If you wish to use the library, you must have an appointment. If you don’t want to use our website to make your appointment, you can also call us at 323-782-4544.
There are three types of appointments you can make in the library.
READING SCRIPTS. If you select this appointment, let us know which scripts you hope to read during your visit. We recommend checking our catalog to see if we have what you’re looking for before making your requests.
CONSULT WITH A LIBRARIAN. If you need research assistance, are unsure of what scripts you might want to read, or just want more information about the library’s services, you can make an appointment to chat with one of the librarians.
QUIET WRITING TIME. If you just want to get work done without interruption, you can make an appointment to simply use the library to get your writing done.
On the day of your appointment, you are free to arrive at the library any time between 11am-6pm while we are open. You do not have to show up right at 11. Arrive when it works for you. Your name is on the list for the whole day.
WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL MY APPOINTMENT?
We understand that things come up and that you might not be able to make your scheduled appointment. You’re able to cancel or reschedule in the confirmation e-mail you received after making your appointment. We appreciate 24-hours advance notice if you won’t be able to make it.
However, if you discover on the morning or day of your appointment that you won’t be able to come in, just send us a quick e-mail at appointments@wgfoundation.org or give us a call at 323-782-4544 to cancel. Multiple missed appointments without cancellation may result in revocation of library privileges.
DO YOU HAVE A LIST OF SCRIPTS I CAN SEE, SO I KNOW WHAT I WANT TO READ?
We have a library catalog. You can search this in advance of your visit to see what we have in the library.
If you want to see the most recent items added to the library collection, find the dropdown menu under “Search” on the left-most side of the top navigation bar. Click “Titles.” Scroll down to “cataloging date” and you can put in a date range to see the scripts and books most recently added.
You’ll notice when looking at the catalog that items are listed as being digital, manuscript, published or “manuscript in off-site storage allow time for retrieval.” Here’s what all of that means:
DIGITAL. We have a digital copy of the script or item in the library. You will likely be given an iPad on which to read it during your visit.
MANUSCRIPT. We have a hard copy on the shelf in the library.
MANUSCRIPT IN OFF-SITE STORAGE – ALLOW TIME FOR RETRIEVAL. This means we have a copy of the script, we just need a few days to retrieve it from off-site. If you want to read something that is stored off-site, send us an e-mail at least one week in advance of your appointment, so we know to pull it for you.
PUBLISHED. If an item or script is listed as being published, this just means it’s in published book form and we likely have it handy on the shelf for easy perusal.
IF YOU DON'T HAVE A SCRIPT THAT I'M LOOKING FOR IN THE LIBRARY, CAN YOU GET IT?
While our collection is massive, we sadly do not have a copy of every script ever written. The library is a separate entity from the WGA's registration department, so we don't have that script you registered a few years ago. Most of our collection consists of produced films and TV shows. We build the collection through script donations from writers, studios, production companies, agents, etc.
We actively try to get most things currently on the air. We don't always succeed, but we do try. If it's something a little older and we don't have it, know that we probably tried to get it. Some shows and screenplays just prove difficult for us to track down... You can always ask.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT ON THE DAY OF AN APPOINTMENT?
Where to park? The WGAW building cannot presently offer parking in the garage. We recommend street parking in and around 3rd and Fairfax. Don’t forget money to feed the meter! If you need to leave the library during your visit—to feed the meter, get lunch, go explore, take a meeting, etc.—just keep your name tag handy for re-entry.
If you don’t want to worry about parking, we recommend using public transit or a ride share.
The first thing you’ll do when you arrive at the building is check in at the front security desk. Again, you can arrive at the library at any time between 11am-6pm while we are open on the day of your visit. Don’t forget your mask! Masks are encouraged!
Upon entering the library, even if you don’t want to look at any scripts, just quickly check in at the reference desk, so we know you showed up for your appointment.
If you have requested to look at certain scripts, we’ll hopefully have those pulled for you. We will hold onto some form of ID—drivers license, student ID, Guild card, etc.—while you are looking at scripts.
Bring whatever you need to write or take notes. Laptops, pen, paper, notebook, etc. are all okay. Large bags are not permitted in the library, but we have lockers if you need them. Small computer bags, backpacks and purses are fine.
WHY CAN’T I TAKE PHOTOS OF SCRIPTS OR GET A COPY OF THE SCRIPT I WANT?
The Writers Guild Foundation Library is a special collections library. This means none of our items circulate or can be taken out of the library. In short, we can’t send you a copy of the script you want to read even if you’re located outside of LA.
In our age of instant-access, we know this can be frustrating. The scripts in the library are not published like books are published. We are not the copyright owners of the scripts in this collection and as such, we are unable to e-mail them, make copies, or make them available to download from our website. Honoring copyright and standard donor agreements is what allows to have this unprecedented collection. You can find more info here.
We don’t mind if you take a picture or two of the script you’re reading if it helps with your research. Take as many pictures as you want of the script cover page to commemorate your visit… but what are you really retaining or learning when you come in with the objective to take a picture of every script page? When you’re using this library, embrace note-taking. You will get so much more out of your visit.
WHAT RESOURCES DO YOU HAVE FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN'T VISIT THE LIBRARY IN PERSON?
Check out the WGF’s resources center. If you're writing a TV spec, our spec script formatting primers provide a snapshot of how to format over 120 current TV shows.
Our YouTube page is chock full of panels, oral histories and lectures recorded over the years.
If you're looking for TV pilot scripts online, this site is an amazing online resource.
If you're interested in features, we recommend Script Slug.
Finally, if you have questions, please do not hesitate to e-mail the library. Especially if you can’t come in person, we can answer questions about the way certain scripts are formatted or how certain scenes look on the page.
Whether you visit in-person, use our online resources or e-mail us with questions, we can’t wait to welcome you back to the WGF Library!