Monrovia Public Library Building Celebrates 10th Anniversary

MONROVIA, CA — The City of Monrovia celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Monrovia Public Library building last Thursday. The 28,000 sq. ft. library held its grand opening on May 16, 2009.

"Placed in the heart of our community, the building is a welcoming space where our youth, adults and families gather to enjoy enriched experiences," the City of Monrovia said in a press release.

The Monrovia Public Library was founded in 1895 by a group of Monrovia women, and was located in a room in the Granite Bank building. The library relocated and the building was reconstructed multiple times throughout the century ast he collection of books expanded, the press release said.

In 1997, it was clear that Monrovia had outgrown the "small, outdated building," city officials said. For more than a decade, Monrovians worked with the State to fund a modern library; after the State failed to fund the project after three separate attempts, Monrovians did it themselves, the City said. In March 2007, overwhelming voter approval of a bond provided the City with $16 million to fund the project and construction began later that year.

The new Monrovia Public Library building is Silver LEEDS certified to be environmentally friendly, and includes adult, child and teen areas, a large community room, a heritage room and expanded technology.

The Monrovia Public Library building’s 10th Anniversary will be celebrated throughout the year through the sharing of fun tidbits and stories about the Library. To follow along with the celebration, visit www.monroviapubliclibrary.org.