Rosemead Library

History

Rosemead Public Library traces its history back to the establishment of the Savannah Branch of the Los Angeles County Free Public Library in June, 1916. The library originally occupied one room of the Savannah School, located on the corner of Valley Blvd. and Rio Hondo Avenue. Over the years the library has burned down twice (in 1921 and 1927) and has relocated several times, spending over 30 years located in a renovated school building at 4114 Rosemead Blvd. In May, 1967 the Rosemead Public Library moved to its current location, at 8800 Valley Blvd., next door to the Rosemead City Hall Building.

Collection

The original Savannah Branch had a collection of 200 books. Today the Rosemead Public Library has over 179,509 books, 117 magazine and newspaper subscriptions, 6,495 videotapes, 6,108 CDs, audio recordings, books on tape, and laser disks. Rosemead Library is the home of the Californiana Collection, a research oriented collection of materials devoted to the history, culture and geography of California. The library has West's Annotated California Code, U.S. telephone directories, sizeable collections of materials in Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese languages, newspapers dating from the Revolutionary War era, and the Record Edition of the Los Angeles Times dating from its beginnings in 1882. The library also has strong collections on the Civil War, World War II, and United States History.

Services

The public has access to the collection of the entire County Library system through the online library catalog which provides access to online reference databases. There are public access Internet computers. The library provides after-school homework assistance at its Homework Center. A public meeting room (capacity 100) is available to the public for a small rental fee. A coin-operated typewriter, photocopy machines and three microform reader/printers are also available.

Facilities

The library building occupies 29,500 square feet and features adult and children's areas, a lounge, a circulation desk with five check-out terminals, handicapped access, and free parking.