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City Government Departments Community Services Library Division General Info
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MONROVIA PUBLIC LIBRARY
321 S. Myrtle Avenue (between Lime and Palm Avenue)
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| Monday - Wednesday |
10 a.m. - 8 p.m. |
| Thursday - Saturday |
12 p.m. - 5 p.m. |
| Sunday |
CLOSED |
Please be aware that doors are locked 10 minutes prior to closure.
PLEASE NOTE: Hours may be subject to change.
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The Library will be closed on:
Parking Street parking available surrounding the Library and public parking lots to the north and south at the Community Center and off Lime Avenue.
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Friends of the Monrovia Public Library "Donation Wish List" Children's books, music, movies Donations can be dropped in totable bags or boxes at the Friends Store or the Customer Service Desk of the Library. Drop off large loads at the library loading dock off West Lime Street. Righ the bell for assistance. Proceeds from ALL sales directly support Library programs. For more information go to the Friend website at www.friendsofmonroviapubliclibrary.org .
The Monrovia Public Library provides free one-on-one tutoring for adults with literacy challenges. All program participants are provided with instructional materials such as books, software and activties, as well as training, on-going support, and evaluation. Being a literacy tutor requires patience and compassion and less than 2 hours per week. If you would like to become a literacy tutor or know someone who needs help reading, please contact (626) 256-8272 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Live Homework Help Homework Help Never be stumped by a tough homework assignment again! Students from kindergarten through 12th grade, in introductory-level college courses, and adult learners can simply visit the Monrovia Public Library or the library's Web site (www.monroviapubliclibrary.org) to connect to live tutors. For remote access you just need your library card number. Contact Adult Reference, 626-256-8274, if you have any additional questions. |
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Hoffman Technology Centers Technology Center The computers are loaded with Microsoft Word for word processing, Microsoft Excel for spreadsheet applications and Microsoft PowerPoint for slide presentations. All the computers also have Internet access. The computers are available at all times that the library is open on a first-come first-served basis. Advance reservations are not accepted. Use of all computers is restricted to 2 one hour sessions per day. All computers are connected to a network printer. The cost of printing is 15 cents per page for Black & White, 50 cents per page for Color . |
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To renew library materials online:
Book Drop Locations: |
1891
Monrovia's Public Library came into being due to the efforts of the women who belonged to the Saturday Afternoon Club, the forerunner of the Women's Club of Monrovia. In 1891, just 5 years after the City of Monrovia was founded, the Saturday Afternoon Club was organized and almost immediately, the members started working towards the establishment of a public library.
Through a variety of fundraisers, including a tea in which the guests were asked to bring books as their means of entry instead of purchasing tickets, the women were ready to open the first Monrovia Public Library in 1895. It was located in a room in the Granite Bank building, at Palm and Myrtle Avenues. The room was rented for $2.50 a month and a librarian was hired at $1 per day. The library collection grew quickly and it soon became apparent that a separate building was needed. In 1905, the steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, who was funding library construction across the United States, agreed to donate $10,000 for a library building if the City of Monrovia would provide the land and furnish the library.
The city purchased what is now Library Park and built its first free-standing library. It opened its doors on January 27, 1908 with a collection of 5,000 books. This library was loved by the community and served the city well for the next 45 years. However, by the late 1940's, the increased use of the library prompted the need for a larger library.
With an initial bequest of $50,000 from Monrovia resident Frederick P. Alvord and city funds, the structure was built in 1956 and officially dedicated in January of 1957. It was constructed to meet the fast-moving needs of a changing post-war society. At mid-century, the world was entrenched in the industrial age and library services and needs had evolved since 1908.
As much as the community loved the Carnegie Library, the facility no longer met the library's space, program and technology needs and so, the city moved forward to provide a facility that would fulfill the needs of its current population and future generations.
1950s
Just as society changed in the first 50 years of the twentieth century, civilization has developed tremendously in the last 50 years. The computer and information ages have made vast changes in today's society and in library services. Monumental advances in technology have revolutionized the services that libraries provide and how they provide those services.
Modern library buildings must be adaptable to today's new and emerging services and technologies. A library facility now needs to include: public computer centers, literacy service centers, homework centers, business centers, audio-visual centers, quiet study rooms for individuals and groups and specially-designed children's story hour rooms. With the advent of these new services and collections such as videos, CDs, DVDs, books-on-tape, and E-books, traditional library space has been redefined and redesigned.
The 14,000 sq ft. facility was built in the 1950s for a population half the current size of Monrovia. As the population grew it was clear Monrovia had outgrown the small, outdated building.
2009
For more than a decade, Monrovians worked with the State to fund a modern Library. When the State failed to fund the project after three separate attempts, Monrovians, rolled up their sleeves, started over, and did it themselves. Overwhelming voter approval of a bond issue on the ballot in 2007 got the $16 million project funded. Construction began later that same year. Built for less than $16 million, the new Library was funded by a bond issue approved by Monrovia voters in March, 2007. The project came in $280,000 under budget, with that amount being returned to taxpayers by way of a lower tax bill later this year.
Green Library
and new, improved and expanded technology, all housed in ... “A true information center to serve Monrovia for this
generation and generations to come.”