“A destination for readers and zigzag roof-lovers alike.” That’s how one source describes the Canoga Park Library. This library is a local treasure. Since 1959, the Canoga Park Library has been a vital part of the community.
Interestingly, the Canoga Park Library holds a special distinction. It was the first Mid-Century Modern-style library named a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. The building stands as a testament to innovative design.
Ralph Bowerman and Charles Hobson designed the library. It was part of a campaign to provide new libraries. This served the rapidly growing postwar population of the San Fernando Valley. The same campaign funded a similar library in Woodland Hills. Both featured dramatic curved eaves. Both had a parabolic roof.
However, the Woodland Hills Library was demolished in 2001. The Canoga Park Library remains. It reminds us of Bowerman and Hobson’s ambitious designs. These designs were created for the Los Angeles library system.
The building features a unique two-part roof. A folded-plate main roof is topped by a complex butterfly roof component. Both parts are made of thin-shell concrete. This was a very new construction method at the time. Large clerestory windows let in natural light. The roof rests on simple brick walls. The front has a recessed glass main entrance. It is sheltered by the roof’s zigzag eaves.
In 2004, the Canoga Park Library relocated. Its former home became vacant. The facility suffered deterioration and vandalism.
But the story doesn’t end there. In 2007, the Child Development Institute (CDI) stepped in. They worked to adaptively reuse the facility. It became their new Early Learning Center.
Now, the landmark is bursting with activity. It serves more than 1,000 young children and families each month. People explore play and learn through discovery zones. They enjoy reading circles and puppet shows.
The center also provides free developmental screening. Referrals are available for healthcare education and other services. Local residents who used the library as children now visit with their own families.
The restoration and adaptive reuse project earned a Conservancy Preservation Award in 2014. This project furthers the spirit of the original Canoga Park Library. It provides an inspirational environment. Local residents can connect and learn as a community.
The Canoga Park Library’s legacy continues. It is a place of learning. It is a place of community. It is a testament to innovative design and adaptive reuse. Even though it is no longer a library it still is a destination for learning.