Glendale Central Library to close through March for major renovation project

After months of partial closures and revised hours, the Glendale Central Library will soon be completely shut down to allow for the home stretch of a major renovation project.

The doors will be closed at the end of the day on Sept. 1 and remain closed through March, said Cindy Cleary, the city’s director of library, arts and culture.

Work to revamp the first floor’s book stacks began last year as part of the $15-million project and resulted in closing off nearly half of the building.

The work that’s left would even further limit access because of the need to close off the children’s area and even the restrooms, Cleary said.

“We would have such limited service to people, we just wouldn’t be able to offer what we want to offer,” she said.

In the meantime, Cleary said the city is looking into possibly renting a trailer or even a tent somewhere in the downtown area to continue children’s programs, such as storytime events, which typically draw around 100 people.

Since hours at the Central Library have shifted last year, hours at other libraries throughout the community have been extended to compensate. That’s a trend that will likely be expanded further, Cleary said.

“We’ve seen a pretty significant uptick in traffic at the Casa Verdugo Library and even as far as the Montrose Library,” she said.

As for employees of the Central Library, they won’t be going anywhere. Most of their work has shifted to the basement level for the time being, Cleary said.

Once the Central Library work is finished, patrons will have new study spaces, a digital lab, six new conference rooms and a MakerSpace, which will be an instructor-led workshop for arts and crafts.

There will also be an updated children’s area and improved Wi-Fi connectivity, Cleary said.

She added that the closure will eventually lead to a “wow” moment on the day of the grand reopening with an updated resource for the community.

“I know it will be worth the wait,” Cleary said.

There won’t be any overdue fees at any Glendale library location from September through November because of the inconvenience the closure may cause, she added.