It’s not much to look at now. But that’s not the point.

Added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 19, 1987

After a visit to the Venice Canals, we found ourselves on Abbot Kinney hunting down a quality slice of pizza (thanks Gjelina Takeaway!) and realized we were around the corner from this stately Spanish colonial revival building. It was decommissioned in 1995 when the branch moved just a few blocks away; since then it’s been used as the Vera Davis McClendon Youth and Family Center, though at the moment it’s wrapped in construction fencing as it undergoes renovations; the chrysalis that will yield an architectural butterfly or something.

This was one of numerous OG Los Angeles Public Library branches that were added to the National Register as a themed group at the same time in 1987 (see also my visit to the North Hollywood Amelia Earhart library). No historically critical meetings took place here; it’s not an architectural masterpiece, or the first anything, or the former home of one of Venice’s founding citizens. It’s not even a library anymore.

Not much to look at now either; the two portapotties blocking the front entrance like silent, stinky sentinels. At least the mosaics and metalwork on the gates that surround the property are cool! (see below video & photos)

All that said – I applaud the treatment of the humble neighborhood library as an institution worthy of veneration and preservation. I have so many great memories of wiling away the hours at my childhood branch in Altadena, and the same must be true of the Venetians who grew up with this one as their library.

Recommended Reading

+Venice Branch Library nomination form @ the NRHP website