Cerritos Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cerritos Library |
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Cerritos Library as seen when looking north from the Cerritos Veterans Memorial
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| Alternative names | Cerritos Millennium Library Cerritos Public Library New Cerritos Library |
| General information | |
| Type | Public library |
| Location | Cerritos, California |
| Address | 18025 Bloomfield Ave |
| Groundbreaking | June 17, 1972 |
| Opened | September 17, 1973 (Original) March 16, 2002 (Expansion) |
| Cost | $6.6 million |
| Owner | City of Cerritos |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 3 |
| Floor area | 82,500 sq ft (7,660 m2) |
| Lifts/elevators | 2 |
The Cerritos Library is a special public library in the city of Cerritos, California. It was reopened on March 16, 2002, with a new name and a cool, futuristic look. This library was the first building in the United States to have its outside covered in titanium panels. It's known as the first "Experience Library" because it has fun, themed areas, amazing artwork, and inspiring architecture. It's not just a regular library!
Contents
History of the Cerritos Library
How the Library Started
In the 1970s, Cerritos was growing fast. The city planned many new buildings, including a library. At first, people debated if Cerritos should share a library with nearby Artesia. They also thought about joining the County of Los Angeles Public Library system.
But in the end, the city decided to build its own library. Groups like the Friends of the Cerritos Library helped make this happen. The city manager also wanted to save residents from paying a yearly library tax.
Building the First Library
The first Cerritos Library began construction in June 1972. It was built on a former strawberry field. This library was the first building added to the Cerritos Civic Center. It officially opened on October 13, 1973. The library was dedicated to Patricia Nixon, who was a First Lady from Cerritos, and all other First Ladies.
The original library was about 18,000 square feet (1,672 square meters). It held 45,000 books. It also had the newest technology for its time. This included film projectors, microfilm readers, record players, and typewriters. There was also a special area for children, a theater, and a law library.
Growing and Expanding
Three years later, Cerritos joined the Metropolitan Cooperative Library System. This allowed library users to access over 3 million items from 26 other libraries. They could also borrow books from other libraries. The library was open seven days a week, which was very popular.
By 1986, Cerritos was doing very well financially. The city spent $6.6 million to update the library. They added another 21,000 square feet (2,000 square meters) to the building. The children's area became three times bigger, reaching 7,000 square feet (650 square meters). It got an arts and crafts area, a medieval mural, and a saltwater aquarium.
A community room for meetings and parties was also added. A new section was built for reference books, study spaces, and comfy seating. The library also got new furniture, fancy etched glass, and marble counters. In 1986, the Cerritos Library won a top award from the American Institute of Architecture and the American Library Association.
The Millennium Library Project
By this time, 65% of people in Cerritos used the library. They borrowed half a million books and other items every year. The 1986 expansion led to a 40% increase in users. It also boosted the number of borrowed items by 33%.
In the spring of 2000, the western part of the Cerritos Library was taken down. This was to make room for the new Cerritos Millennium Library. Before the new building, many people waited in line to use books and computers. Books were always being put back on shelves, and programs were very popular.
Many cities around the world planned special projects to celebrate the new millennium. In Cerritos, they decided the library would be a "library of the future." The new $40 million library was finished in 2002.
Design and Special Areas
The Cerritos Library's design changed a lot because of the Internet. The idea was to make the library more friendly and helpful for users. The book The Experience Economy inspired the city planners and designers. They wanted to make the library an interactive place. The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao also inspired the library's modern look. When you visit, you'll see cool images and hear futuristic sounds.
Under Library Director Waynn Pearson, the Cerritos Millennium Library grew to 88,500 square feet (8,222 square meters) across three floors. It added 300,000 more books. It also got a high-tech conference center with a kitchen. There are museum-quality displays and a lecture hall with personal computers. The library has over 200 computer workstations. Plus, there are 1,200 Internet ports for people to use their own laptops.
Children's Library Fun
The children's library is full of exciting things! It has a huge 15,000-gallon saltwater tank with coral and even sharks. There's a lighthouse where kids can read. You can also see a model space shuttle called "The Spirit of Cerritos." Don't miss Stan, a replica fossil of a Tyrannosaurus rex! The area also has a small theater, an arts and crafts room, and a rainforest theme with changing weather effects. There's even a night sky theme and many computer workstations.
Old World Reading Room
The Old World Reading Room looks like something from 19th-century Europe. It has old leather-bound books, rare first editions, a cozy fireplace, and beautiful chandeliers. This room is perfect for quiet reading and serious study.
Main Street Area
The Main Street area has a modern Art Deco style. Here you'll find a local history room and a souvenir shop. This is also where the main circulation desk is. Tall palms and a large screen showing Cerritos scenes give it a modern feel. It's designed to feel like a walking street that connects different parts of the first floor.
The Great Room
The Great Room is designed in the unique Craftsman carpentry style. This is where you can find paperbacks, magazines, and newspapers. There are also "Internet Express Stations" here for quick access to the web.
World Traditions Section
Cerritos is known for being a very diverse city. The "World Traditions" area on the second floor celebrates this. It has an Art Deco style and holds a large collection of books and other materials in many different languages.
Multimedia Zone
Below the "World Traditions" area is the Multimedia room. This is where you'll find DVDs, other videos, audio materials, and items for young adults. It also has a modern Art Deco style, matching the "World Traditions" level above it.
The 21st Century Floor
If you go up the escalator or glass elevator to the other half of the second floor, you'll reach the "21st Century" floor. This area has a very futuristic and modern design. Most of the library's computer workstations are here. You can also reserve several study rooms. The main reference desk for the library is on this floor, surrounded by bright, lit-up bookshelves.
Meeting Spaces
The third floor of the library has a Board Room. There's also a large banquet hall called the Skyline Room, which is great for parties. A High-Tech Lab and lecture hall are also located on this floor.
Illuminations Sculpture
In November 2006, to celebrate the city's 50th anniversary, a special sculpture was put near the library's front entrance. This sculpture looks like an open book. It was designed by artist Terry Braunstein and is called "Illuminations." It shows old photos of the city and mosaics that show what life is like in Cerritos. The sculpture is 10 feet tall and is meant to spark the imagination of children who visit the library. At night, lights at the base of the sculpture turn on, making it look even more artistic.
Technology at the Library
The Cerritos Millennium Library uses modern technology in many ways. It has its own internal website called MyClio. The library's multimedia centers combine books with online resources and computer graphics. You'll find computer "InfoStations" all around the library. Public areas have computers and ethernet ports for library card holders. Librarians even use wireless headsets and handheld computers to help people.
The library uses a special radio frequency system to keep track of all the materials being borrowed. Library cards have magnetic strips, like credit cards. This lets you use one of the many electronic self-checkout stations. You can also log into your own personalized MyClio web page.
Awards and Recognition
The Cerritos Library has won many awards:
- Best Public Library in 2003 by Los Angeles Magazine.
- Best Public Library in 2003 by L.A. Parent Magazine.
- Best Public Library in 2004 by Reader's Digest magazine.
- It became an affiliate with the Smithsonian Institution, which helps with exhibits.
- Won the American Library Association/American Institute of Architects "Award of Excellence".
- Received the Expy Award in 2003 by thinkabout.
- Won a Thea Award in 2003 by the Themed Entertainment Association.
- Given Special Mention Library of the Year in 2004 by Library Journal.
- Named Best Library for Children in 2008 by Los Angeles Magazine.
- Earned a Five star rating in March 2009 by Library Journal in "America's Star Libraries".
- Ranked #28 in the "50 Most Beautiful Libraries in the World" by Best Value Schools in 2014.
References
- Eftychiou, A., & Cenovich, M. (2006). Cerritos at 50: celebrating our past and our future. Virginia Beach, VA: The Donning Company Publishers.
- Cerritos Library History. (n.d.). Retrieved October 3, 2006 from http://www.ci.cerritos.ca.us/library/libhistory.html
- Cerritos launches the "Experience Library". (n.d.). Retrieved October 3, 2006 from http://www.ci.cerritos.ca.us/library/experience_library.html
