FOL History:
The Friends (FOL) was founded in 1982 as a 501 (C) (3) organization and consists of a board of directors (elected officials and committee chairpersons) who meet quarterly to conduct business.
Their purpose is to support the LCF County Public Library and extend those services and benefits most wanted by the community.
The FOL was instrumental in keeping this library open during the 80's & 90's funding crises. They took the time to circulate petitions throughout the city and visit local legislators with their concerns.
When the LCF City Council was considering opting out of the County Library in favor of the LCHS "Joint-Use" library, the FOL again circulated petitions and presented evidence to the City Council on the importance and advantages of keeping the County Library open in our town.In the past when the Library's materials budgets were cut by the County, FOL gave them a more than plentiful materials & program budget and continue to do so.
FOL has generously provided funds for purchasing library furniture and oversaw the expenditure for the refurbishment of both the circulation/check-out and reference desks.
The FOL purchased the first Apple computer and software programs for public use, which later was updated to provided access to the Internet and free WiFi.
They also purchased for the Library the Minolta Microfilm/fiche Reader Printer, which enables customers to search back issues of the La Cañada Valley Sun & other local newspapers.
When audiobooks were first introduced to the public in the 80's, Susie Hermann, one of the founding members of FOL was responsible for introducing them to the Library. FOL purchased the first audiobook collection for the Library and they have since maintained the collection with a monthly "Standing Order" plan.
The FOL was responsible for augmenting the Library's Jazz, Classical, Opera, & Musical CD collection and funding the original Laser Disc collection, which has since been replaced with a large collection of classic, B&W, and BBC DVDs.
The FOL also oversee the art gallery in the meeting room and provides the monies for a variety of wonderful children, teen and adult programs periodically during the year-from astronomy to arts & crafts, from musical instruments to poetry to cooking.
The FOL once augmented the Library's collection with rental Books & DVDs, until the time where it was no longer feasible to keep those collections.
The FOL maintains an on-going book sale in the lobby, which helps supports the Library's materials budget, as well as a semi-annual book sale. Unsold books from the semi-annual sales are donated to charities in need of books.
On-going lobby book sales average $9,000 yearly and the twice a year advertised book sales raise over $13,000. About 50-75 volunteers participate in helping with those sales, including several community youth groups.
Since the beginning of the One City One Book event, the FOL purchases copies of the book for the LCF Library to sell at the front desk for a nominal profit.
FOL generously sponsired the 100th anniversary celebration of our city’s Library in May 2013. The organization has over 500 members who pay $15 annual dues and additional donations to be able to attend the semi-annual book sales a day earlier than the general public. Members also receive a regular newsletter of library information and book reviews.
The FOL was awarded the City's 2013 prestigious Les Tupper Award for Outstanding Community service.
La Cañada Flintridge Library
County of Los Angeles Public Library
1913 to Present:
For the first two years of its existence, 1913 to 1915, the La Cañada Library occupied a small space at the back of a the Stultz General Store at the corner of Michigan & Union Avenues. The Library was the second branch of the newly established “County Free Library”.
The Library opened with a collection of 71 books and during its first month the Library loaned out 16 books. Within a month’s time circulation was 4 times more for a total of 83 books in circulation. By the end of 1914 the Library boasted of 150 borrowers and a collection of 423 books.
In 1915, the Library moved from Stultz General Store, to La Cañada Elementary, where it remained until 1934. At that time the Library’s collection contained 574 books.
In 1925, the Library’s circulation increased to 5,362 items borrowed and books in the collection numbered 1,608.
1934 saw the Library move into a store front at 953 Foothill Blvd. where it remained until 1947 when the building was sold.
In 1947 the library temporarily rented a space at the La Cañada Elementary School, but due to the expansion of much needed classrooms this didn't work out and the Library almost closed. Thanks to Librarian Mrs. Roberts Whitmore, the Library continued to open one afternoon a weekset up on a table outside on the school lawn or from the back of Mrs. Whitmore's car.
For six months in 1947, a double bungalow was rented at 1318 Foothill Boulevard and then, in January 1948 land was purchased for a permanent building located at 4510 N. La Cañada Blvd. Four years later, in 1951, the Library had first permanent home at 4510 La Canada Boulevard. By that time the Library’s collection had grown to contain 27,00 books and had 10,260 registered borrowers.
In 1968 the Library was closed to make way for the 210 freeway and a new building was contracted to be built. The La Cañada Flintridge Library moved into a temporary building where it remained until 1971 when it moved to its current location.
Today, 100+ years later the library boasts of a
collection of more than 75,000 items and
31,952 registered borrowers.
In May 2014; the Library was awarded the
City's prestigious Les Tupper Award
for Service to the Community.
La Cañada Flintridge Library
4545 Oakwood Ave
La Cañada Flintridge, CA
91011
818-790-3330
Mon. Tues. Wed. 10:00 am 8:00 pm
Thurs. 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Fri. & Sat. 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sundays & Holidays: CLOSED
