Malabar Branch Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Malabar Branch
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Malabar Branch Library, 2008
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 Location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | 2801 Wabash Ave., Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California |
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| Built | 1927 |
| Architect | William L. Woollett |
| Architectural style | Mediterranean Revival-Spanish Colonial Revival |
| MPS | Los Angeles Branch Library System TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 87001014 |
| Added to NRHP | May 19, 1987 |
The Malabar Branch Library is a special library in the Boyle Heights area of Los Angeles, California. It's part of the Los Angeles Public Library system and has been a key place for learning and reading in its community for many years.
Contents
The Malabar Branch Library
A Library is Born
The Malabar Branch Library started small in 1914. It began as a place to keep books in a Sunday school room. This room was at the Brooklyn Heights Methodist Church. The church was located on Evergreen Avenue and Malabar Street.
When it first opened, the library had about 900 books. People could borrow these books using an honor system. This meant they were trusted to return the books on their own.
A New Building
In 1925, voters in Los Angeles approved a special plan. This plan provided money to build 14 new branch libraries. The current Malabar Branch was one of these new libraries.
Construction on the new building began in 1926. The library was designed in a beautiful style. It combined Mediterranean Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival styles. The architect who designed it was William Lee Woollett. The new Malabar Branch Library officially opened its doors in May 1927.
Surviving an Earthquake
In 1987, a big earthquake hit the area. It was called the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake. The Malabar Branch Library was damaged by this earthquake and had to close.
The library then went through a lot of repairs and updates. It reopened in 1992. The renovated library had separate reading areas. There were special rooms for adults and children. It also included a multipurpose room and a room for helping visitors.
A Historic Place
In 1987, the Malabar Branch Library became a very important landmark. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of places that are important to the history of the United States. Many other Los Angeles branch libraries were added at the same time.
These libraries were built in different historic styles. They were part of the first branch library system in Los Angeles. The Malabar Branch building is a one-story brick structure. Its design reminds people of old buildings in Latin America.
The Malabar Branch is also recognized locally. It is a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument.
Images for kids
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Frieze above Malabar's front entrance
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Front façade of Malabar Branch
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