Glendale library celebrates upcoming renovations
Classic children’s book characters like Curious George and Clifford the Big Red Dog helped usher in the beginning of a new age for the Glendale Central Library on Thursday during a groundbreaking ceremony that kicked off a major face-lift project.
PHOTOS: Groundbreaking ceremony kicks off library renovations project
Built in the early 1970s, the biggest library in the city has seen little change, but a $15-million renovation effort will create two new entrances on the north and south sides, larger community spaces and strong Wi-Fi connectivity.
Additional computers scattered throughout the library to boost access to technology will also be a part of the project.
“There are so many competing interests the City Council was faced with, but when the time came to renovate the library, to bring it into the 21st century, to expand the efforts and availability of resources to our residents, we were really of one mind on this,” said Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian.
The revamp effort will take 18 months and will be carried out in phases so the library can remain open during construction.
Cindy Cleary, the city’s director of library, arts and culture, spoke to the crowd of attendees about how far the local library system has come since its inception in 1906, when there were only 250 books.
Now, one million books are checked out annually from the Central Library.
Local mom Mary Lee Behar said she has 51 kids’ books currently checked out from the Central Library, which speaks to how much the facility means to her family. When she came to the groundbreaking ceremony, she found out something she didn’t expect.
“We were kind of sad. We thought the library was going to be closing for a year and a half. We came to say goodbye,” Behar said. “But now that we know it isn’t, we’re happy again. This is a pleasant surprise.”
Behar’s two young boys enjoyed seeing the costumed children’s book characters, as did Nairy Gharabetian’s 2-year-old son.
Gharabetian grew up in Glendale and is a product of the local school district. She said she headed to the Central Library many times during her school days.
“I spent nights and days researching everything you can think of, so I’m excited for my son to start that, too,” she said.
Cleary said beginning Aug. 31, the library will have new operating hours to accommodate construction.
The library will be open from 2:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Cleary added that some of the programs and services at the Central Library will be moved to library branches such as Brand Library and Art Center as well as Chevy Chase Library.