Frank Lloyd Wright's Hollyhock House as a branch of the Los Angeles Public Library?

(Modified) Aline Barnsdall in front of Hollyhock House [n.d] Security Pacific National Bank Collection, Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection

No joke. It almost happened. Heiress Aline Barnsdall (b. April 1, 1882) gifted part (various sources list the size between 6-10 acres) of Olive Hill, including the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Barnsdall House (aka Hollyhocks), to the city of Los Angeles. The house was to be used as a public library and the rest of the land would become a municipal park. 

                                                         

                                                       

Ms. Barnsdall's gift was given in memory of her oilman father, T.N. Barnsdall, on December 6, 1923. As she explained to the Los Angeles Record, "There must be many people in Los Angeles who want an oasis like this in the desert of jazz. I feel it...should be the property of the people." The park and library departments accepted the gift, pending the city's "legal department" preparing the deed of gift and engineering details.

Artist's Drawing of Barnsdall Olive Hill Donation, Los Angeles Times, February 24, 1924

By late March 1924, the Public Welfare Committee of the City Council was urging the Council to decline Aline Barnsdall's gift, citing too many strings attached. For example, Ms. Barnsdall asked the city to spend $20,000 a year for the property's upkeep. Additionally, no palms or geraniums were to be planted; no war monuments or displays were to be placed on the property; and the library was to keep a fire burning from October to April. Indeed, the city declined the gift but thanked Ms Barnsdall for her offer.

Aline Barnsdall soon found another tenant for the Hollyhock House-- the California Art Club moved in at the end of August 1927 and stayed fifteen years.

Phantom Libraries for Halloween! (Sounds spookier than "former libraries")

I'm fascinated by phantom libraries, as well as libraries that were formerly something else (e.g. The Santa Paula Library used to be a Safeway?). Former library locations can still be found all over Southern California. Some were built expressly as libraries while others were just a temporary location, or storefront. How did these library spaces get their phantom status-- aka why did the library move?  Oftentimes the library simply outgrew their space. I've included only a few phantoms here, most of which fit that reason, although the Moneta/Junipero Serra Branch was damaged in the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake. Do you have a favorite phantom library?

Canoga Park Branch, Los Angeles Public Library

The Canoga Park Branch opened July 6, 1959 with some special features-- air-conditioning, high windows that permitted a "maximum amount of shelving space" and an amazing zig-zag roof. The library was located at 7260 Owensmouth and designed by Ralph Bowerman and Charles Hobson (who also designed the 1962 Woodland Hills Branch with its parabolic roof). The building now houses an early learning center.

Moneta/Junipero Serra Branch, Los Angeles Public Library

The Moneta Branch formally opened September 28, 1923 at 4255 S. Olive Street. The Mediterannean Revival building was designed by architect Lyman Farwell who also was responsible for the Magic Castle (aka Rollin B. Lane house). In 1934, the branch was renamed Junipero Serra. Unfortunately the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake damaged the building and the library was forced to relocate.

Hyde Park Branch, Los Angeles Public Library

Opened at 6527 Crenshaw on August 1, 1960, this mid-century gem was designed by Kegley, Westphall and Arbogast (who also did the Van Nuys Branch). Information on this location can be found in the California Index at tessa.lapl.org, and includes building specs (branch had 10 parking spaces, seating for 24 adults and 16 children) branch histories (no AC until 1966-67) and an invitation to the opening. The location is vacant and the new Hyde Park Miriam Matthews Branch was opened at Florence and Van Ness in December 2004.

Helen Hunt Jackson Branch, Los Angeles Public Library

This Spanish-Mediterranean Revival branch was designed by C.E. Noerenberg, who also designed the Jefferson, Figueroa and the 1923 Edendale branches. The branch, named after "Ramona" author Helen Hunt Jackson, opened November 3, 1925 at 2330 Naomi Avenue. The building was auctioned off in 1963 and is now occupied by a church.

Figueroa Branch, Los Angeles Public Library

Opened in 1923, the Figueroa Branch sat on the northwest corner of 80th Street and Figueroa. The English cottage design was by C.E. Nuremberg (who also designed the Helen Hunt Jackson, Jefferson and the 1923 Edendale branches). There are a few Figueroa Branch items in the California Index (via tessa.lapl.org), including a 1936 newspaper article about summer reading (tracked by race horse figures!). The building has been remodeled several times over the years and has been the home of the New Zion Baptist Church since the mid-1960s.

Los Angeles Library Tour - Altadena Main Library

How has this library gone under our radar for so many years? We've been through Altadena. We've had friends who live in Altadena. And yet, we've never visited either of their two libraries. 
We finally made up for lost visits a couple of weekends ago. The library is almost hidden in the woodsy foothills at the corner of Mariposa and Santa Rosa Avenue (aka Christmas Tree Lane). Walking inside, a sense of familiarity and comfort takes over. The library, designed by Boyd Georgi & Associates (from Altadena) was opened in 1967.  There have been some modernizations, but for the most part, it feels like 1967 in the best possible way. 
There are beautiful sculptures at both entryways.  Wood relief panels surround the desks. 

The children's room has a colorful mural.

The feature we loved the most-  there is a sunken reading area in the center of the library, complete with palm tree planter. (We hear they are looking for landscapers to propose a new design to fill the planters.) 

 
We were astounded at some of the books and cds in their collection. Thankfully the library has held onto the amazing collection they've built over the years instead of excessively weeding it of its charm.  They have incredible art and photography books, lots of jazz cds, and local history books we haven't seen at any other library. We checked out a boxful on our first visit. They had Glenn Bray's The Blighted Eye! I can't find that anywhere!
This library is a hidden gem in the forest, absolutely worth a visit.

Los Angeles Library Tour - Pasadena Central Library

This weekend we visited the Pasadena Central Library, the first of three stops we had planned for Saturday. The other two being the Scenic View Ahead: The Westways Cover Art Program, 1928-1981 exhibit at the Pasadena Museum of California Art and the China Modern: Designing Popular Culture 1910-1970 exhibit at the Pacific Asia Museum. Both are walking distance from the library!

In 1927, the firm of Myron Hunt and H.C. Chambers completed the Central Library which is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is grand and spectacular to look at, yet completely warm and functional inside. We parked in the large (free) lot and entered through the north entrance, which was once the service entrance. From here, the library seems like a crazy maze of display cases, shelves, books, and stairways. By contrast, the entrance through the front courtyard into the main hall (off Walnut Street), feels as though you’ve walked into a dark wood-paneled library from a hundred years ago. Maybe that’s why location scouts have frequently cast the Pasadena Central Library as Library #1. (My favorite being the ‘San Francisco’ library Goldie Hawn works at in “Foul Play”.) The Main Hall acts as the heart of the library. Not only does it contain the check out and reference desks, it leads you to the children’s wing, the business wing, the humanities wing, the centennial room (which includes a great Californiana collection), and the four levels of circulating book stacks. The staff was extremely helpful - I loved the addition of someone with a headset and a giant pin that said 'Ask Me' wandering the stacks.

I urge you to visit the library’s website. It gives a detailed description of the architecture and interior accents that make the library so unique. Next time we visit, a guided tour is in order!

The library went through a major restoration in the late 1980’s. Great care went into bringing the library into the computer age without destroying the look and feel. Computers were imbedded into walls and desks while maintaining the dark oak wainscoting.

The Metro Rail Gold Line has a stop at Memorial Park, just southwest of the library. Old town Pasadena is walking distance, as are a bunch of great restaurants, like Russell’s (‘famous since 1930’ -definitely try their hamburgers) and the ever popular breakfast destination Marstons.

Los Angeles Library Tour - Brand Library and Art Center

If The Brand Library was just a library, it would be exceptional. The fact that it was once the home of Leslie Coombs Brand, one of Glendale's early banking and business pioneers, makes it historic. The fact that it has an amazing art center makes it a showcase for arts of all sorts. The fact that it is located in Brand Park overlooking Glendale, makes it one of Los Angeles' most interesting and beautiful attractions.
According to the city of Glendale's website, the Brand Library and Art Center was once El Miradero. Completed in 1904, El Miradero was the home to Brand and his wife. Mr. Brand died in 1925, followed by Mrs. Brand in 1945. Leslie Coombs Brand's will provided that the property be turned into a park and library upon his (and his wife's) death. The Brand Library opened in 1956 and in 1969 the arts center was added.
The entire complex is almost one of those "only in Los Angeles" locations. The entrance to the park has a Moorish feel which mirrors the former residence/current library. Look up the hill, past a row of palm trees, and you'll see El Miradero. It is such a beautiful and photogenic locale, there always seems to be a wedding party posing on the lawn in front (perhaps second only to the Mulholland fountain outside Griffith Park).
The Brand Library houses the Arts and Music collections of the Glendale library system. The Glendale library system moved all of their music collections to this branch, so it is quite extensive. They've got records. Actual vinyl records. There is a good selection of VHS and DVD on the arts. I asked about the 16mm films that were once in circulation at the main Glendale library branch. They are now gone. I'll always remember checking out "Skater Dater" on 16mm and screening it in our backyard on an old Bell & Howell projector.
The Brand is inspiring in so many ways. Just browsing the aisles, there is so much eye-candy. The library is a great resource for enthusiasts of all the arts. On the pages of over one hundred thousand volumes you can find Indian movie posters, product graphics, matchbooks, comics, photography, pattern books, furniture making, interior design, fashion, music, painting, drawing, architecture. Where do I stop?
If you're still looking for a little more, there is a gallery showcasing local artists, lectures on an array of fascinating topics, and a recital hall for your listening pleasure.
When the relatives visit from out of town and they want to get some local flavor you can always pack a picnic lunch (or stop by Glendale's Mario Italian Deli and grab some sandwiches). Head up to The Brand. Spend the day wandering the grounds. Browse the aisles. Enjoy the view.
Surrounding the library is a 31 acre park which offers hiking and biking trails, a basketball court, softball field, children's playground, the Whispering Pines Teahouse and Friendship Garden and the Doctors Museum & Gazebo. And if you've been there all day don't forget to stop by Foxy's for dinner.

Los Angeles Library Tour - Whittier Central Library

Wow. The Whittier Central Library is one of those places that you walk into and it is the library of my nostalgic dreams. Beautiful design inside and out. It truly is a destination library.

Designed by William H. Harrison, the library was opened in 1959 and still feels futuristic and functional. Inside it is inviting and open with a nice lounge area near the front, a huge children's section, large fiction section, lots of hard to find titles as well as new releases. Numerous internet stations and aisles of deep shelves. A large parking lot faces the rear entrance of the library but the front entrance on Washington Avenue is not to be missed.

The first time we visited, the audio/visual department was upstairs. It was almost like an independent record store! There were record albums decorating the information counter and they even had a painting of Janis Joplin on the back wall. When we stopped in on our latest visit, we found out that they had to close the top floor due to budget cuts. Hopefully they can reopen it soon. Two ways you can support the library - add to the donation box across from the circulation desk or participate in the silent auction of rare books in the lobby.

When I was a kid, I could spend hours browsing the library shelves and come away with a load of books on a variety of topics- anything I found remotely interesting. As I grew older and the 'leisure hours' of the day lessened due to school or work, I narrowed my reading topics and mainly hit just those particular sections of the library. The Whittier Central Library brought me back to that childhood way of browsing the aisles. I went up and down every aisle and found more books than I can possibly get through in the alloted time. Adult practicalities returned to me before I moseyed up to the circulation desk, I narrowed my selection for the day and wrote down the books I put back so they can be easily pulled on the next visit.

While we did make the Whittier Central Library our main destination, thats not to say thats all we did in Whittier. We made a stop by our favorite supplier of all things tiki, Oceanic Arts. We had delicious puffy picadillo tacos at Arturo's. Cruised Greenleaf toMonte's Camera. Found some cool thrift stores. Dropped some cash at Lovells Records and The Little Old Bookshop. It was a full day. Get to Whittier early. And often!