The University Branch was first opened and operated in this attractive Northern Italian style building near Exposition Park, designed by Hibbard, Gerity & Kerton. In 1965, the building was sold to the University of Southern California for development purposes and the branch collections were moved to a storefront at 1479 West Adams Boulevard. In 1973 the University Branch was renamed the Exposition Park-Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Regional Branch Library in honor of the great educator and humanitarian. Two years later, the branch left the storefront location and was placed in a new building, located at 3665 So. Vermont Avenue. Designed by the City of Los Angeles' Bureau of Public Buildings architectural unit, the branch was built with Capital Improvement Program funds to the cost of $486,400. In 2008, the 1975 building was sold to University of Southern California and the branch moved yet again into a new building at 3900 South Western Avenue. The most recent branch facility, designed by Tetra Design, Inc., meets the U. S. Green Building Council’s Gold LEED standards for environmentally sustainable design with its low-flow plumbing and irrigation, and high-efficiency mechanical and lighting systems. In addition, approximately 10% of the building is comprised of recycled materials. Interior view of the University Branch, showing the Children's Reading Room (background), the Adult's Reading Room (foreground), and the librarian's reference desk (center at left).
Type
image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;21 x 26 cm. Photographic prints
Los Angeles Public Library.--Exposition Park-Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Regional Branch Reading rooms--California--Los Angeles Architecture--California--Los Angeles--Italian influences Branch libraries--California--Los Angeles Hibbard, Gerity & Kerton
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