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The Community Of Carson Is Finally Getting Its Library Back
The Carson library after renovations.
(
Courtesy of the Los Angeles County Library
)
The Carson library that serves nearly 71,000 customers is back after four years.
The branch originally closed in 2019 for renovations, but then the COVID-19 pandemic hit and extended the closure. Then in spring 2021, the library reopened, only to shut down six months later to complete deferred maintenance.
Carson library in the middle of renovations.
(
Courtesy to the Los Angeles County Library
)
In these four years library officials made efforts to ensure that the community continued to have access to services. There was the nearby Martin Luther King Jr. library, but a temporary branch was created as well.
Using three trailers, each about 1,000 square feet, a “make-shift” library was created in the parking lot of the Carson branch location.
“We ensured that we had that service continuity, but it's not the same,” Patrick said. “It was just a good faith effort to ensure that the people of the communities of Carson had a library and had library service.”
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The 33,000-square-foot library opened its doors to the public on Friday.
The $2.3-million renovation added new flooring, furniture, seating, study rooms and more. The library also upgraded its technology with new computers and iPads for looking up books.
The teen area at the Carson library pre-renovations.
(
Courtesy of the Los Angeles County Library
)
The teen area at the Carson library after renovations.
(
Courtesy of the Los Angeles County Library
)
“Our differently-abled community is going to be really pleased with how the building works for them: the ramp coming into the library, the automated entry doors, the water fountain in the bathroom,” said director of the county library Skye Patrick. “So just making the life of folks who are differently abled so much better.”
Patrick also said new artworks were added from the Golden State Mutual Art Collection.
The library is planning to hold an open house on Dec. 21 to celebrate the upgrade and return.
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