GLENDALE—Glendale Library, Arts & Culture will be hosting a family friendly Grand Opening of the newly renovated Youth Spaces at Central Library. The event will be held on Saturday, November 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The City of Glendale and Library, Arts & Culture department will be unveiling the newly redesigned Children’s Space highlighting vibrant collections focused on age-appropriate materials, a versatile programming space, and a new reading area all accented by beautiful wallpaper with unique hand painted elements by Alix Soubiran.

In the new Teen Space, 13 to 18 year-olds will get to socialize, study, game, and create with other teens in a soundproof communal area. The space includes group seating, study rooms for small groups, conversation spaces and gaming consoles, creating an environment where teens can connect.

A state-of-the-art Sound Space is where the public can learn how to record a podcast, music, and programs. Schedule time with library staff to show you how to operate the Sound Space, sign up for time, and start recording.

An architectural rendering courtesy of Johnson Favaro, LLC of the Library’s Children’s Space

“Libraries are more than just buildings filled with books; they are vital spaces where children and teens can ignite their imaginations, explore their creativities, and find a sense of belonging. Central Library’s unique Youth Spaces will offer Children and Teens a place to dream, discover and grow,” says GLAC’s Acting Director, Lessa Pelayo-Lozada.

The 92,600 square foot Central Library is an iconic example of Brutalist architecture designed by Welton Becket and Associates, which first opened in 1973. A renovation in 2017 created a vibrant public space and addressed critical safety and system upgrades but lacked the funding to remodel spaces for youth. The City of Glendale has worked with architects Johnson Favaro, LLC, to plan and design a remodel of the Children’s Room, create a dedicated Teen Space, Sound Space and add second-floor ADA-accessible restrooms.

An architectural rendering courtesy of Johnson Favaro, LLC of the Library’s Sound Space and Teen Space

Assemblymember Laura Friedman worked to allocate $6.095 million to the State Budget, which was administered by the California State Library (CSL). The City of Glendale also received $5.7 million from CSL’s Building Forward grant fund and $2.5 million in local funding from Measure S.

Building Forward is the single largest investment in California’s public libraries in over 20 years.

In addition to the ribbon cutting ceremony, library patrons will have the ability to explore the new spaces, engage in activities, storytimes, and performances. The Glendale Central Library is located at 222 East Harvard Street, Glendale, CA 91205.

An architectural rendering courtesy of Johnson Favaro, LLC of the Library’s Teen Space interior

For more information visit the website. 3-hours of free parking is available with library validation at the Marketplace parking structure across the street from the Harvard Street entrance of Glendale Central Library. Accessible parking is available on the east side of the building.

Known as the “Jewel City,” Glendale is the fourth largest city of Los Angeles County. With a population of more than 200,000, Glendale is a thriving cosmopolitan city that is rich in history, culturally diverse, and offers nearly 50 public parks, and easy access to a municipal airport. It is the home to a vibrant business community, with major companies in healthcare, entertainment, manufacturing, retail, and banking. 

Founded in 1907, the Glendale Library, Arts & Culture Department includes eight neighborhood libraries including the Brand Library & Art Center, a regional visual arts and music library and performance venue housed in the historic 1904 mansion of Glendale pioneer Leslie C. Brand, and the Central Library, a 93,000 square foot center for individuals and groups to convene, collaborate and create. The department also serves as the chief liaison to the Glendale Arts and Culture Commission which works to continually transform Glendale into an ever-evolving arts destination. Glendale Library Arts & Culture is supported in part through the efforts of the Glendale Library Arts & Culture Trust. For more information visit the website, or contact Library, Arts & Culture at (818) 548-2021 or via email at LibraryInfo@glendaleca.gov.