Lydia Harlan
Community Library Manager
217 North Maclay Avenue
San Fernando, CA 91340-2433
Phone: (818) 365-6928

View a map of other libraries in the La Cañada cluster.

History
The San Fernando Library opened in November 1914 as a branch of the Los Angeles County Free Library. This library, the first public library in the mainly agricultural San Fernando Valley, found its home in the Industrial Arts building of the San Fernando Union High School located at 130 North Brand Blvd. In the first year, 1,849 books were circulated to 156 borrowers. From 1925 to 1946, the library weathered the Depression and war years in three store-front locations all on North Maclay Street. Then from 1946 to 1953, the library was located at 11223 First Street. In 1953, the library joined with city services when it became part of the civic center at 102 Macneil Street. Growth continued for the city and the library with the collection reaching a total of 27,572 volumes in 1964 for the library's 50th anniversary. The 1970's saw the development of a strong Spanish-language collection and the creation of the community support group---the Friends of the San Fernando Library. In 1988, the library moved into a 6,000 square-foot facility located at 150 N. Library Street. On June 20, 2001, the library moved to 217 North Maclay Ave, a brand new 8,500 square-foot leased facility. The library is the center piece of the newly constructed Library Plaza Mall. The project was a private/public partnership.

Collection
The current collection includes 90,744 books; 6,586 video recordings; 5,677 audio recordings including books-on-tape; 96 magazines and newspapers; local telephone directories; microforms; pamphlets; and a local history file.

Services
Services available to customers include public access Internet computers; on-line library catalog; a coin-operated photocopier and a coin-operated microform reader/printer. There are a variety of children's programs available throughout the year including the Summer Reading Program. In addition, a Homework Center is available to help children in grades 3-6. The library has a newly revitalized Literacy Center funded by Pacific Bell which provides literacy tutoring and materials for adults working on reading and writing skills.

Facilities
The 8,500 square-foot library features a separate periodical lounge reading area; a separate children's area; an adult reading area; and a special young adult reading area. It also has a two-person reference desk; a circulation desk with three check-out stations; and a Friends of the Library Book sale section.

Political Representatives

• U.S. Congressional District: 28th
  Howard L. Berman
  URL: http://www.house.gov/berman/

• State Senate District: 20th
  Alex Padilla
  URL: http://dist20.casen.govoffice.com/

• State Assembly District: 39th
  Felipe Fuentes
  URL: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a39/

• Supervisorial District: 3rd
  Zev Yaroslavsky
  URL: http://zev.lacounty.gov/

Local Links

	California Mission Internet Trail URL: http://www.escusd.k12.ca.us/MissionTrail.html This web site, with more information to be added in the future, is a wonderful resource. Given a "Times Pick" award by the Los Angeles Times in 1996, this site has been compiled by Sue Marz, School Library Technician, & Barbara Scott, School Computer Technician, with the Escondido Union School District. This site has a map of the California Missions, information on some of the missions, and resources for teachers.
	San Fernando Valley URL: http://www.sfvalley.org/ The focus is on the entire San Fernando Valley area with links to various Chambers of Commerce in the San Fernando Valley which have a presence on the web. Also included are links to a calendar of events, business resources, demographic maps, visitor's guide, and information about the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley, Valley Industry & Commerce Association, the Valley Economic Development Center, and the California Industrial Leadership Council.
	San Fernando Valley History Digital Library URL: http://digital-library.csun.edu/ A searchable and browsable collection of over 2,000 documents, manuscripts, photographs, and other graphic materials showing the socioeconomic and cultural changes of the San Fernando Valley from the beginning of the 19th century. From the California State University, Northridge Library.
	The City of San Fernando URL: http://www.ci.san-fernando.ca.us/ Official site for the City of San Fernando. Includes the names of elected officials, agendas and minutes for the current Council, links to City departments, visitor information, location of schools, community resources, City jobs, and City events.