With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
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.
Sponsored message
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.”
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.”
Sponsored message
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.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
