About 30 people gathered on February 27 for the opening of the two portable buildings that had been placed on the Palisades Library parking lot at 861 Alma Real. The public library was one of 7,000 residences/commercial structures and public buildings that burned during the January 2025 Palisades Fire.
John Szabo, the City Librarian of the Los Angeles Public Library, said, “As we open this facility, it’s important to say libraries are more than books, they are the trusted anchors in a community.”
He pointed out that the staff had been onsite since January 31 (Tuesday through Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m.).
Also speaking was Councilmember Traci Park “we’re celebrating something special, the opening of a library in a temporary form. Bringing this space back, brings the community back.”
L.A. Deputy Mayor Jacquline Hamilton noted that the building had public computers, Wifi and scanning capability. “We will do everything in our power to help this community,” she said.
The head of the Los Angeles Library Foundation Stacy Lieberman called it a meaningful milestone and thanked the generosity of donors from as far away as Poland and England. She also said, “we’re grateful to Lisa Clere for the FireAid donation.”
Later Lieberman was asked how much the library foundation received from FireAid and said “The Library Foundation has received a total of $627,703 in donations from 460 donors to the Palisades Recovery Fund which covers costs related to outreach support and services due to the fire and for the temporary branch library. The figure includes $250,000 from FireAid and $50,000 from Ares Management specifically for the temporary library.
“Separate from the FireAid Funds, the Library Foundation of Los Angeles has received $1,050,000 in generous contributions to support the rebuild of the Palisades Branch Library,” Lieberman said.
CTN asked “Can the $627,703 only be used for the temporary library and furniture?”
Monica Valencia from the Library’s Public Relations office responded, “These recovery funds can be used for the temporary branch library, including furniture. Any funds not spent during that time will be directed toward rebuilding the permanent library.”
The installation/construction costs of the two modular buildings are about $380,000 and the cost to outfit the temporary buildings, which included computers, printers, scanners, internet, furniture, books, and self-checkout machines, was about$106,000. One of the buildings is empty and available for community meetings.
Of the $627,703 for a temporary structure, about $486,000 has been spent, leaving $141,703.
The temporary library is open 20 hours a week and Valencia was asked if the hours would be extended. “As the community reacquaints itself with the library, we will have a clearer picture of how it’s being used, and we can consider potentially expanding hours,” Valencia said.
She was asked about the annual cost of running the temporary library. “The annual operating cost is similar to running another branch library and we expect the temporary buildings to remain on the lot at least until construction of the permanent library begins.”
She was asked about the timeline for the new library and she sent CTN’s query to the Bureau of Engineers’ Communication Director Mary Nemick.
Nemick was emailed and when she responds this story will be updated.
Also speaking at the library’s reopening was Palisades Friend of the Library President Cameron Pfizenmaier. “Our community is in desperate need of good news, and these bungalows are the first sign.”
She said, “this library was the heart of the town,” and said that in a survey done by the Friends that the presence of a library was in the top 10 reasons given for people rebuilding.
“Library people are not the loudest, but the most tenacious,” Pfizenmaier said and quoted Margaret Mead “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
A small crowd gathered for the official opening of the portable library.
