Palos Verdes Public Library (aka Malaga Cove Branch) Opened in 1930

Malaga Cove Branch Library, Palos Verdes Library District [Photo by author]

June 3, 1930 - The Palos Verdes Public Library, then a branch of the Los Angeles County Public Library, opened its doors to the public with an exhibit in its art gallery. The purchase prize exhibit featured the works of sixty artists on loan from the Stendahl, Wilshire, Dalzell Hatfield and Klevits galleries. Myron Hunt, who designed the library, also served on the art jury for the exhibit. Attendees included attorney and banker Orra E. Monnette (longtime Los Angeles Public Library Board Member), banker and journalist Frank A. Vanderlip (major landowner in Palos Verdes), singer and clubwoman Estelle Heartt Dreyfuss, soprano Amelita Galli-Curci and librarian Agnes McMillan. 

                    Plaque of the Palos Verdes Library opening [Photo by author]

A more formal dedication of the library was held June 27, 1930 to coincide with the ALA convention taking place in Los Angeles. According to the December 1956 staff newsletter from the Los Angeles County Public Library, the branch broke away from the County system in June 1946 and became an independent library. It is now known as the Malaga Cove Branch of the Palos Verdes Library District. Sam Gnerre tells more of the library's story at http://blogs.dailybreeze.com/history/2017/06/17/malaga-cove-library-opened-in-1930-still-going-strong-in-palos-verdes-estates/

Visit the Malaga Cove Branch during their book sales in order to visit the basement and get a glimpse of the dumbwaiter and vault.

Basement vault in the Malaga Cove Branch Library, Palos Verdes Library District [Photo by author]