Community Corner

Palisades Branch Library Celebrates 10 Years

Former president of the Friends of Pacific Palisades Branch Library says 73 percent of 90272 voters turned out for the bond vote question to rebuild the library.

Ten years goes by faster than you think, but it's not slowing down the progress being made to provide top notch library services to Pacific Palisades.

The Palisades Branch Library celebrated its 10th anniversay Saturday, March 9 with a potluck-style gathering in the courtyard for all ages. It's located at 861 Alma Real Drive.

"It was such an exciting time," said Alice Inglish, current president of the Friends of the Pacific Palisades Branch Library, talking about the bond measure to rebuild the local branch. "It's hard to believe it's already been 10 years."

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Mitzi Blahd, then-president of the Friends group, said the bond in 2003 was aimed to build new Los Angeles Public Library branches throughout the city, including Palisades, Encino and Westwood. Comparing the 2003 city library bond question to the dismal 16 percent turnout in the most recent city elections, Blahd said Palisadians came in at 73 percent turnout.

"We put in a tremendous canvassing effort," Blahd said, adding the community's original library was built in 1963 at that location.

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"They came out in droves," Blahd said about the bond vote.

Head Librarian Mary Hopf told Patch her branch continues getting busier, and said the new furniture on the outside patio area makes the area very attractive.

"We're just really busy," she said. "People are always coming in."

She said their "hot off the press" section lets patrons check out new books for a week at a time without having to wait in a que. The young adult and children's title selections have only increased over the years.

"It's one of the better collections in the city," Hopf said.

Palisades' library branch also received a city librarian last summer from Atlanta who's really brought some great changes to its services, Hopf added. She said community groups utilize the library's conference room space regularly, like the community council and art association.

Martha Idewu, a retired grandmother from Chicago, said she's been visiting Los Angeles since mid-2012 and loves bringing her grandson to the Palisades branch.

"It's a marvelous place," Idewu said. "The ladies here are absolutely marvelous and so helpful. You can ask them any kind of question. I'm so happy this group is here."

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