About the Library
The Huntington Beach Public Library has been providing library and cultural services to the City of Huntington Beach since 1909.
Milestones in history of the Library
1909 First library in Huntington Beach
1913 Carnegie Library built at Walnut & 8th
1951 New library opened at 525 Main Street
1975 New Central library opened at 7111 Talbert Avenue
1994 New expansion opened including Children's wing, theater, and meeting rooms
2001 Web-based patron services with online Library catalog and periodical databases
2005 New Horizon ILS computer system. Wireless Internet access at the Central Library
2007 Renovation of Central Library building returning to the original Neutra earth tones
2008 Library Director Ron Hayden retires after 38 years (23 years as director)
2009 Centennial year, new Library Director hired, mission statement & strategic plan revised
Scanned Historical Documents (in Adobe PDF Format)
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| Filename |  File Description |
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293 KB |
“Huntington Beach” (periodical) A copy of the front page of a periodical called the “Huntington Beach” from 1914, showing some of the current and planned buildings and homes in Huntington Beach. Huntington Beach Union High School, Huntington Inn, and the Carnegie Library. |
| 473 KB | A Proud Addition A short article from the Daily Pilot of April 2, 1975 about the dedication ceremony, guided tours, and grand opening of the new Huntington Beach Central Library. |
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312 KB |
A Proud Addition A composite of 3 different short articles from the Daily Pilot of April, 2, 1975, the Los Angeles Times of April 6, 1975, and the Los Angeles Times of March 18, 1975, discussing the new Huntington Beach Central Library that opened to the public in April 1975. |
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348 KB |
Huntington Beach Library and Cultural Center History of Huntington Beach Public Library from 1909 to 1975 from Saturday, April 5, 1975 dedication booklet |
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12 MB |
Huntington Beach Library and Cultural Center This document presents a history of the development and building of the Huntington Beach Library Information and Cultural Resource Center. It contains Library board members, City Council members, layout diagrams, photographs, and the services provided by the Library. The document date appears to be 1975 |
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548 KB |
History of the Huntington Beach Public Library This is a history of the Huntington Beach Library System provided from information from the Library Board Manual. It follows the history of the library from the first library association in 1909, to the Central Library opened in 1975 in Huntington Beach Central Park. It is one of the most complete descriptions of libraries in Huntington Beach. |
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114 KB |
Dedication of the Huntington Beach Library Information and Cultural Resource Center – April 5, 1975 This is a poem written by Richard Armour, Huntington Beach Bicentennial, Honorary Poet Laureate, for the dedication ceremony of the new Huntington Beach Central Library. |
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326 KB |
Huntington Beach Library Dedication Poem A poem written by Richard Armour in April 1975 to dedicate the expansion of the Huntington Beach Library Information and Cultural Resource Center. |
| 606 KB | The Right to Know - “Where There is No Vision The People Perish” A flyer for the dedication program from April 5, 1975 for the Huntington Beach Library Information and Cultural Resource Center. The flyer contains program information as well as the names of city officials and facts about the new library. |
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160 KB |
Huntington Beach Library, Information and Cultural Resource Center A Fact sheet from April of 1975, giving information about the new Huntington Beach Library that was opened in April, 1975. Information includes, size, constructions costs, architect, general contractor, City Council members, City Administrator, Library Board members, background information, capacity and holdings, and services. |
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96 KB |
Library Opens An article from the City Employees Newsletter, Breeze of April 1975 talking about the new $5 million library to be opened in Central Park. Richard and Dion Neutra, Swinerton and Walberg Company. |
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1.0 MB |
All This and Books Too An article from the Orange County Illustrated of November 1975 talking about the new Huntington Beach Library Information and Cultural Resource Center. Several photographs are included of both the exterior and interior of the new library. |
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1.1 MB |
Huntington Beach Builds Monumental Library An article from the Orange County Chronicle of May 9, 1976 discussing the new Huntington Beach Central Library built in Central Park in 1976. Walter Johnson, Norma Brandel Gibbs, Ted Bartlett, Richard Neutra, Huntington Heritage Garden. |
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664KB |
Amidst Fiscal Woes, Huntington Beach Builds Monumental Library An comprehensive article from the Orange County Chronicle - Newport Beach Edition, of May 9, 1976 describing in text and pictures, the history and growth of the Huntington Beach Central Library. |
| 1.2 MB | Public Library Facts and Figures A series of charts showing operating expenditure, income, population and staffing, salary, collections, and activities, for library systems in California counties with populations of 100,000 to 500,000, for FY 1976 -1977. |
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696 KB |
California Public Library Statistics A series of tables showing information about the public library systems in California for fiscal year 1979 – 1980, that serve populations in the 100,000 – 500,000 range. Information includes Total Expenditures, Activities, Salary Survey, Collections, and Population and Staffing. |
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70 KB |
Pre-1950 Magazines at Huntington Beach Library This is a list of pre-1950 magazines, available in either microfilm or hard copy, at the Huntington Beach Library. |
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227 KB |
Huntington Beach Public Library Questionnaire A questionnaire, probably from the 1980s regarding the usage and services provided by the Huntington Beach Library. No information available concerning who issued the questionnaire, or who completed it. |
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87 KB |
They Can Get You Answers ---- Quick! An article from the Huntington Beach Independent of April 24, 1982 describing some of the reference services the Huntington Beach Reference Department is able to access to meet to meet the needs of its customers. |
| 240 KB | Free or Fee Library? An article from the Huntington Beach Independent of October 2, 1982 talking about a proposal to charge a $10 fee for a city library card. The proposal is to go before the City Council, and has strong opposition from the city Library Board, and Friends of the Library, which raises money and provides volunteers for library operations. |
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566 KB |
Readers Reap the Benefits An article from the Huntington Beach Independent of August 28, 1986 talking about the ‘Celebrate America – Read’ children’s summer reading program sponsored by the Friends of the Children’s Library. More that 2,200 children participated in the summer reading program, with several of them reading over 100 books each. |
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163 KB |
Huntington Council Takes Step Toward Ending Library Dispute An article from the Orange County Register of October 21, 1987 talking about a dispute between the Huntington Beach City Council, and the Huntington Beach Facilities Corp. regarding the spending of $1.1 million that the Huntington Beach Library needs to expand its services to the community. |
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78 KB |
Small Business Research A fact sheet, date unknown, describing the various research materials available at the Huntington Beach Central Library. It also provides information on resources available outside of the library itself. |
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45 KB |
Huntington Beach Public Library - Information Page A page from an unknown, undated report showing the architects and beginning and ending dates for construction of the Huntington Beach Library Information & Cultural Resource Center. It also shows library staff and a partial list of those who helped make the library possible. |
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882 KB |
Architect’s Widow to Share Work-of-Art House in Silver Lake An article from the Los Angeles Times of April 13, 1986 talking about Dione Neutra, her life and family, and the house that she lives in, in Silver Lake and how she makes it available to the interested public. |
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658 KB |
Neutra’s Widow Remembers Life With a Genius An article from the Orange County Register of May 4, 1986 describing Dione Neutra’s memories of her late husband, famed architect, Robert Neutra. It also contains a copy of article 071004-8. |
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1.4 MB |
Richard Neutra; A Chronology A chronology of the life of Richard Neutra, Information was provided by the Inland Library System Reference Center from information from the architectural library (?) and the American Institute of Architects. |
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228 KB |
Neutra Legacy Includes Schuller Church An article in the Orange County Register of May 4, 1986 describing the Garden Grove Community Church that was designed by Richard Neutra in 1961 for evangelist Robert Schuller. |
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88 KB |
Huntington Library Receives Grant to Teach Reading, Writing An article from the Orange County Register of November 11, 1986 describing a grant for $21,540 received by the Huntington Valley Affiliate of Literacy Volunteers of America, from the U.S. Department of Education, to develop a community literacy program at the Huntington Beach Central Library to teach people how to read and write. |
| 211 KB | Fall Book Sale Slated A picture and brief text from the Huntington Beach Independent of November 13, 1986 describing the book bargains that will be offered at the Fall Book Sale at the Huntington Beach Central Library. |
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646 KB |
Teddy Bears Toy With Kid's Imagination A page from the Huntington Beach Independent of November 27, 1986 showing a series of pictures taken at one of the Storytime sessions sponsored by the Friends of the Library, at the Huntington Beach Central Library. |
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184 KB |
Children Offered Adventurous Assignments Through Library's Summer Reading Program An article from the Huntington Beach Independent of June 11, 1987 talking about the Huntington Beach Public Library's Summer Reading Program. This year's program, 'Wild About Reading', is sponsored by the Friends of the Children's Library. The Library will also be offering children's movies as part of its summer activities. |
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249 KB |
Friends of Huntington Beach Library Installation An article from the Huntington Beach News of July 3, 1987 talking about the installation tea that was held by the Library Board for the new officers of the Friends of the Huntington Beach Library. |
| 090924-39
343 KB |
Classic Car Show Helps Huntington Library's Fund An article from the Orange County Register of July 16 1987 describing the Concours D'Elegance fund-raiser held in the Huntington Beach Central Park for the benefit of the children's wing of the Huntington Beach Central Library. The money will go to the Library Patrons Foundation. |
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127 KB |
Computer Operation Expanding at Library An article from the Huntington Beach Independent of August 8, 1987 describing how a $10,000 grant to the Huntington Beach Library Patrons Foundation helped with the purchase of high-tech computer hardware and software equipment to be housed in the Central Library Children's Resource Center. |
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113 KB |
Huntington Library to Buy Computer Equipment for Children's Center An article from the Orange County Register of September 16,1987 talking about a $10,000 grant to the Huntington Beach Central Library to purchase new computer hardware and software for the Library's Children's Resource Center. Also see article 090924-29 |
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153 KB |
Huntington Library Gets More Funds for Project An article from the Orange County Register of October 5, 1987 describing how the Huntington Beach City Council increased the budget for the expansion of the city's Central Library. Plans include expanding the children's area by giving it its own wing. |
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312 KB |
Library's Garden a Peaceful Retreat An article from the Orange County Register of October 8, 1987 describing the Library Patrons' Garden at the Huntington Beach Central Library. The Garden was planted in 1975, the same year that the Central Library was opened. |
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253 KB |
Children's Wing Jeopardized An article from the Huntington Beach Independent of October 22, 1987 describing how due to new tax laws and a tricky legal obstacle, funding for a proposed children's wing addition at the Huntington Beach Central Library may be in jeopardy. Also see article 090924-7. |
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430 KB |
Olympic Torch Memento to the Huntington Beach Library An article from the Huntington Beach Independent of December 30, 1987 describing how a replica of an Olympic torch donated by Patt Tambolleo to the Huntington Beach Central Library was taken from the library and subsequently replaced by the Olympic Committee. |
| 891 KB | Literary Heritage Garden A pamphlet (date unknown) from the Huntington Beach Branch of the American Association of University Women that talks about bringing the informational and cultural opportunities of the library through the walls of the building and into the landscape surrounding it. |
| 384 KB | Reflections From a Third Eye Notes, titles and prices of a series of drawings by Harold Warner that were apparently displayed in the gallery section of the Huntington Beach Library. |
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770 KB |
The Library in Early Huntington Beach The Spring 1997 and 1988 issues of the Friends of the Huntington Beach Public Library Newsletter, with the following articles; The Library in Early Huntington Beach, Books at Free Library, and Library Garden Blooms Anew. |
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256 KB |
Council Backs Children's Wing at Central Library An article from the Huntington Beach Independent of January 7, 1988 describing a glowing report on the Huntington Beach Central Library which led to the City Council voting to approve the Library's expansion, including the addition of a children's wing. Consultants rated the Library as "one of the most active, heavily used, vibrant public libraries" that the consultant team has experienced in several years. |
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179 KB |
Library Needs Big Bucks to Build Children's Wing An article from the Huntington Beach Independent of February 25, 1988 describing that even though children currently make up two-thirds of the Central Library's users, they are currently confined to two study tables crammed in a small book-lined area hidden on the bottom floor of the library. The library is trying to raise $2.8 million needed to construct a new children's wing at the facility. |
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310 KB |
Huntington Beach Library – Artistic Expression An article from the Huntington Beach Independent of September 8, 1988 describing some of the activities, such as stories, games, crafts, movies and even a round in the kitchen offered to children in kindergarten through third grade, every Saturday morning at the Huntington Beach Library. |
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243 KB |
Library’s Literacy Program Breaks Language Barrier An article from the Huntington Beach Independent of April 20, 1989 describing the Huntington Beach Central Library’s Family Literacy Program whose primary goal is to teach parents English so that their children do not grow up illiterate. |
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619 KB |
Getting Real Close to a Cuddly Sea Surfent A picture from the Los Angeles Times of June 17, 1989 showing a couple of children with the Sea Surfent, who will be the star of the Huntington Beach Library's Summer Read-a-Thon Club. The program offers a variety of activities for children. |
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178 KB |
Downtown Community Proud of Downscale Library on Main Street An article from the Huntington Beach Independent of July 27, 1989 describing the Main Street Library branch of the Huntington Beach Library System. This was the city's main branch until the Central Library was built in 1975. |
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172 KB |
Library Administrator's Atypical Appearance Belies His Dedication to Tradition of Learning An article from the Huntington Beach Independent of August 24, 1989 talking about Ron Hayden, and how he progressed from a surfer dude driving the city's bookmobile, to becoming Director of the entire Huntington Beach Library System. |
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187 KB |
How Many Fingers? A picture and caption from the Huntington Beach Independent of September 8, 1989 showing preschoolers learning to count during Story Time at the Huntington Beach Central Library. |
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334 KB |
Former Library Volunteer Wills Major Donation An article from the Huntington Beach Independent of October 12, 1989 talking about a donation of $376,000 made by the estate of former library volunteer Shirley Brock, for the children's wing of the Huntington Beach Central Library. The article also talks about the second annual Rotary Roundup fund raiser for the benefit of the library. |
| 263 KB | Meet 'Reada' The 'Leada' of Library Expansion Program An article from the Huntington Beach News of October 20, 1989 talking about 'Reada', the blue, purple and yellow dinosaur that is the focal point of the library's Patrons Expansion Project (PEP). The PEP has various levels of membership and donation for the benefit of the expansion of the library. |
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141 KB |
City Council OKs Funds to Design Library Expansion An article from the Huntington Beach Independent of November 9 1989 describing how the Huntington Beach City Council voted to approve funds for the design of the Central Library expansion.. |
| 132 KB | Sample Huntington Beach at 'Tasty' Fundraiser for Library An article from the Huntington Beach Independent of February 1, 1990 describing a major fundraising event called 'A Taste of Huntington Beach'. The event is for the benefit of an expansion of the Huntington Beach Central Library, to include a new children's wing, a 400-seat auditorium, and a specialized technology center. |
| 240 KB | Corvettes Star at Huntington Beach Show An article from the Orange County Register of June 11, 1990 talking about the Fifth Annual Concours d'Elegance Auto Show at the Huntington Beach Central Park. Proceeds from the event benefit the Huntington Beach Library System. |
| 405 KB | Take a Byte of Computer Time An article from the Orange County Register of October 24, 1990 talking about the advantages of renting computers and computer time for those who might not otherwise be able to afford their own equipment. Several rental alternatives are mentioned including the computer availability at the Huntington Beach Library. |
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155 KB |
Controversy Flares Over Library Plans An article from the Huntington Beach Independent of November 29, 1990 discussing protests against the design of the new children’s wing of the Central Library. The controversy centers around the contention that the proposed plans will ‘obliterate’ the front of the library that was the last project of renowned architect Richard Neutra. Barbara Milkovich, Mayor Ruth Bailey. |
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144 KB |
Huntington Beach Council Approves Library Expansion An article from the Los Angeles Times of March 29, 1991 discusses the Huntington Beach City Council approval of the $8.4 million, 41,000 square foot expansion of the Huntington Central Library. Library Director Ron Hayden. |
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345 KB |
Playhouse Lands a Permanent Home in Library An article from the Los Angeles Times of March 1991, describing how the Huntington Beach Playhouse had secured a permanent home as part of the $8.4 million expansion of the Huntington Beach Central Library. The 320-seat theater will be part of the new wing of the Library. |
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266 KB |
Library Addition Funding is OK’d An article from the Orange County Register of April 3, 1991 talking about the City Council approval of funding for $8.5 annex addition to the Huntington Beach Central Library. Also included are floor layouts for the upper and lower levels of the annex. |
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328 KB |
Huntington Beach Library to Expand A short article from the Library Journal of May 15, 1991 discussing the Huntington Beach City Council approval of the $8 million, 42,000 square foot expansion project of the Huntington Beach Central Library. Also see 071001-1. |
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201 KB |
Auto Attraction Lures Lovers of Exotic Cars An article from the OC Register of June 5, 1991 describing the 6th annual Concours d’Elegance Auto Show in Huntington Beach Central Park. The event was sponsored by the Huntington Beach Central Library. Also see 071001-4. |
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269 KB |
Classy Chassis Show is One for the Books An article from the OC Register of June 10, 1991 describing the 6th annual Concours d’Elegance in the Huntington Beach Central Park, sponsored by the Huntington Beach Central Library. Proceeds from the 3,000 people attending the show will help pay the construction costs of the new Childrens’ wing to be built in the Fall 1991. Also see 071001-6. |
| 150 KB | Library Proposes Oak View Branch An article from the Orange County Register of November 20, 1991 talking about plans to open a 5,000 book annex on the Oak View campus next to the Oak View Community Center. The Oak View neighborhood is one of the city's poorest, and it is felt that access to homework assistance, reference materials, computers, parenting information and other programs, will add to the educational program at Oak View School. |
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246 KB |
First Read on Oak View Library: It’s a Hit An article from the Huntington Beach Wave (date unknown) about the opening of the Oak View Library, the city’s first new library in 30 years. It includes a map of the Huntington Beach area, and the location of the new Oak View library branch. |
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150 KB |
Huntington Beach Library Expansion Groundbreaking A Program for the groundbreaking ceremony on February 21, 1992, for the expansion of the Central Huntington Beach Library. “Building a Foundation of Knowledge”. |
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251 KB |
Sweet Dreams Realized An Article from the OC Register of December 12, 1992 about Ron Hayden, director of the Huntington Beach Library, and the new 43,000 square-foot, $8.5 million expansion of the Huntington Beach Central Library. The article discusses some of the services to be provided by the new expanded library, and the funding required for the expansion. |
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92 KB |
Huntington Beach Library System – 1993-1994 Annual Report A set of statistics from 1993-1994 showing for the Huntington Beach Library System, Service Area, Population Served, Facilities, Borrowers, Circulation, Interlibrary Loans, Reference Questions, and Programs. |
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268 KB |
Children’s Wing Opens at Huntington Beach Library A synopsis of an article from the Orange County Register of January 13, 1994 describing the January 8, 1994 opening of the new Children’s wing at the Huntington Beach Library. |
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239 KB |
Extra, Extra, Library to Get Old Copies of Independent An article from the December 1, 1994 issue of the Huntington Beach Independent newspaper, describing how a bunch of old Huntington Beach Independent newspapers were found in a garage of the Daily Pilot, and that they would be given to the Huntington Beach Library, as part of the history of Huntington Beach. |
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408 KB |
Teaching Parents to Teach Their Kids An article from the Los Angeles Times of December 18(?) 1994, Teaching Parents to Teach Their Kids, talks about the Family Literacy Program in the primarily Latino community of Oak View, to teach parents basic English skills needed to read and write so they can read to their kids. There is also a second unrelated article, Nonresident Library Fee is a Success, Officials Say, that talks about the impact that the new non-resident library fee will have on library funding. |
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557 KB |
New Readers Plead for Program An article from the Huntington Beach Independent of August 10, 1995 discussing how Huntington Beach residents are asking the City Council to step in and fill the funding void and keep the Huntington Beach adult literacy program going. The funding gap was caused when the U.S. Department of Education discontinued the $35, 000 grant funding the program. |
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312 KB |
Booking the Bands An article from the Huntington Beach Independent of June 20, 1996 describing how the Huntington Beach Central Library changes from a mild-mannered book archive by day to a pulsing concert hall at night. On certain nights of the week, the Library rents out the Talbert Room to local high school and college bands. |
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218 KB |
Computer's Join Library's Literacy Arsenal An article from the Orange County Register of November 1, 1996 describing how the Huntington Beach Central Library is opening a new computer center for volunteers and students at the library in building language and reading skills. |
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98 KB |
Huntington Beach Public Library System: Square Feet, Volumes, Circulation A table from May 7, 1997 showing by branch, the Square Feet, Volumes, and Circulation of the Huntington Beach Library System. |
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550 KB |
Huntington Beach Library: A Look Back A series of articles in the Huntington Beach Independent, by Jerry Person, talking about the history of the Huntington Beach Library. Articles include Early Library Officials Had a Read on Carnegie Foundation – 10/23/97, Another Chapter in the History of the Library – 10/30/97, Here’s Another One for the Books – 11/06/97, and Closing the Book on History of Library. |
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340 KB |
Huntington Beach Central Library Building Fact Sheet A report from December 22, 1998 providing primarily financial data and drawings regarding the Huntington Beach Central Library and Cultural Center expansion. |
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332 KB |
Entrepreneurial Libraries Could Bring Happy Endings An article from the Los Angeles Times describing how libraries in Orange County are finding innovative ways to tap into new funding sources just to be able to stay open. The entrepreneurial libraries are finding new fee-based services to help fund their budgets. |
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598 KB |
A Passport to Adventure at the Library An article from the Los Angeles Times talking about the Children’s Library at the Huntington Beach Central Library. Friends of the Children’s Library, Carnival of Folk Tales, Passport to Adventure: Read Around the World. |
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520 KB |
Library Moves Into Field of High Tech An article from the Los Angeles Times (date unknown) discussing how the Huntington Central Library has developed Orange County’s premier public multimedia center. Also included is an article about genealogy and how the Huntington Beach Central Library contains over 14,000 volumes of genealogical information, the largest in the County. Orange County California Genealogical Society. |
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54 KB |
Huntington Beach Central Library Salt Water Aquarium A listing and description of the varieties of fish in the salt water aquarium in the main lobby of the Huntington Beach Central Library. |
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117 KB |
Gibbs’ Butterfly Park A short article in the Huntington Beach Independent discussing the opening of the Norma Brandel Gibbs Park in Huntington Beach. 300 eucalyptus trees were planted to help re-establish the park as a stopover place for migrating Monarch butterflies. |
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103 KB |
Local Landmark No., 2 A contest sponsored by the Huntington Beach Independent and the Times Orange County, showing a local landmark and asking for its identification. The contest was called “Hula to Hawaii”. |
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