DAY TRIP The Paley Center for Media

The Paley Center for Media, named after founder and media giant William S. Paley, collects, preserves, and interprets television and radio programming. The center opened its doors in 1976 in New York City, educating people on the history of broadcast. In 1996 the company opened a second location in Los Angeles. With a collection of more than 140,000 programs enveloping close to 100 years of television and radio history, The center analyzes the media’s relationship with the public and defines how they shape one another. The library includes programming from at least 70 countries. Pieces are chosen upon their historical relevance, social impact and artistic achievement.

Getting there

Take the 55 Freeway north for about half a mile until you reach CA-73 north. Merge onto CA-73 north and follow for a little more than a mile toward I-405 north. Exit I-405 north toward Long Beach. Stay on I-405 north for 45 miles. Exit Santa Monica Boulevard onto Cotner Avenue and turn right on Santa Monica Boulevard.

Drive three miles on Santa Monica Boulevard until you reach The Paley Center for Media. Parking is free in the garage under the building.

Hours

The L.A. Paley Center for Media is open from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday.

Admission

Although it is free to enter the building, contributions are encouraged. Suggested contribution is $10 for adults, $8 for students and senior citizens and $5 for children younger than 14.

Members are always free.

Programming

Although they do not collect artifacts, The Paley Center for Media does collect programming from a variety of genres. Through a computer database, visitors can search radio and TV clips of news, comedies, documentaries, sports, performing arts and public affairs. Children can scan through the animation films and kids programs. The center even has clips from commercial advertising. When guests find a program they deem worth viewing, they can choose to take it to an individual console to view, or if they would rather view it in a group, there are family consoles available. It is possible to view several television clips at one time.

Paley Centers Theater and Radio Room

Every day, The Paley Center for Media chooses programs from its collection to show in the center’s theater. Guests can attend the screening and watch television together. A radio room allows guests to listen to radio broadcast clips. The radio room is similar to the television collection area. Computers with search engines direct visitors to types of programming they are looking for. Once guests have found something that intrigues them, they can listen to or watch the clip on a separate machine.

Tours

Groups visiting The Paley Center for Media can choose to take a guided tour. Along the tour they will learn about founder William S. Paley, the architect of the building, history of the Paley center, current programs, and an overview of the collection. For more information call (310) 786-1000 or visit www.paleycenter.org.

— Jacquelyn Rumfola