Main Library Turns the Page
In 1977, the current Main Library opened to the public in the Long Beach Civic Center. As the central hub of the Long Beach Public Library system, the Main Library houses much of the Library’s collection of over 800,000 items, supports the needs of all of the branch libraries in Long Beach, serves as the piloting location for new innovative programs, and houses most of the Library’s advanced technology resources. After 42 years of serving the city, the Main Library will close its doors for good on January 18, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. to prepare for the opening of the new Main Library later this year.
In 2017, the Long Beach Public Library received the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor for libraries, thanks in great part to the resources and services offered at the Main Library. The new Main Library will build off of this innovative and enriching environment with an upgraded makerspace Studio, 3D printing lab, Family Learning Center, Children’s Library, Teen Library, Veterans Resource Center, Center for Adaptive Technology, and many more resources for all library patrons to enjoy. Learn more about supporting these educational opportunities at LBPLfoundation.org/newmain.
While we will miss the current Main Library, we are excited for the next chapter and the amazing memories we will create in the new Main Library.
Be sure to visit the Main Library before it closes. View the Library’s hours at lbpl.org/locations/library_hours.asp.
Photos from the Long Beach Public Library:
The Main Library shortly after the building was completed in 1977.
The Main Library auditorium has held many events including weekly film screenings.
In 2015, the Main Library became the first public library in California to carry a Zine collection highlighting the voices of local writers and artists.
In 2012, with support from the Library Foundation, the Main Library opened the Studio, a makerspace learning lab where patrons of all ages can learn graphic design, 3D printing, robotics, coding, photography, and more.
A Studio Guide holds a 3D printed prosthetic hand printed and programmed in the Main Library Studio.
The Miller Special Collections Room was made possible thanks to a generous gift in 1974 from Loraine Miller Collins in memory of her late husband, Earl Burns Miller. The room is modeled after a room in the Miller home and contains rare texts dating back to the 15th century, Chinese and Japanese art and ceramics, and American and European art and photographs. The Miller Special Collections Room has hosted several author and poetry readings through the years highlighting local writers and poets.
2017 Halloween parade at the Main Library.
A 2018 Cuentos y Cantos bilingual storytime event in the Main Library Storytime Theater.
On June 9, 2018, the Main Library opened the Veterans Resource Center with support from the California State Library’s Veterans Connect @ The Library project.
The new Main Library is currently being built in the Long Beach Civic Center and is projected to open in the summer of 2019.