Van Nuys Branch Library
Library service in Van Nuys began in 1911 when the community was founded. In 1925 a bond issue was approved providing for a branch library on Sylvan Street. The building was designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style by Allison and Allison (Royce Hall UCLA, Hollywood Post Office, Wilshire United Methodist Church). The library opened to the public in March 1927 and served the community until April 1964. In 37 years, the circulation grew from 27,000 to more than 350,000 volumes annually. A bond issue was approved by voters to expand the library, however those plans were merged into the development of the Van Nuys Civic Center. That library opened in May 1964. The building has been repurposed for business offices. It is a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Van Nuys, Los Angeles County
Photographer: Andrew Schmidt