Letter to the Editor: Exciting updates to the Downey City Library

Dear Editor:

The City of Downey would like to thank everyone who has supported the reopening of the Downey City Library. Since April of this year, the Library has welcomed thousands of guests who have visited to participate in programs such as Storytime and Summer Reading, and explored our tens of thousands of books and other materials.

After undergoing approximately $8 million in renovations, made possible thanks to Measure S, the Library has become a 21st Century hub for community learning and connection, reconfiguring itself for the Downey of today and tomorrow. Some of the building’s new features include:

• Reconfigured interior spaces with new book and data storage furniture

• New individual study rooms

• Upgraded wireless technology

• Installation of energy efficient lighting

• New computer lab

• Self-check-out stations

• Newly redesigned Cormack Room

• Makerspace with new 3-D printer

This renovation has allowed us to provide a place for visitors, especially our dynamic youth, to work together on projects, actively learn, and create their futures. Through its programs, larger active spaces and new resources like the Workshop Makerspace, the staff of the Library is seeing people of all ages practice new skills, gain new knowledge and grow. We are very grateful for the chance to serve the public in the reimagined Library.

Access to resources remains a core function of the Downey City Library and staff has reimagined the lending experience, as well as the physical space of the building. The Downey City Library boasts one of the largest collections of books, media and other materials in the region. The Library currently houses over 76,000 items, including over 41,000 adult items and over 31,000 for children.

The Library also was designed for growing the collection. This year, the Library is planning to add nearly 10,000 more items, with further growth in the coming years. If you don’t find something, please reach out to a staff member to see if it can be ordered from another library, or if it’s already on a list to be added to our collection.

The Library’s renovation period allowed the staff to remove damaged and outdated items, making room for acquiring newer materials, while also giving staff time to think through how to better serve and give the public access to resources. Now, guests can search for items throughout the building from tablets that access our digital database and check-out items at numerous self-directed kiosks. Staff also is available throughout the building, not just at designated desks, to help.

The staff of the Library is excited about its future. In the next few months, the Library will be increasing its programming, fully opening the Workshop and Studio spaces in the building, and hosting its first exhibit in the new community display case.

To celebrate how far the Library has come since renovations began, the Library will be hosting a large public event on Saturday, October 23, for all of you. We hope to see you then - and many other times - at your new Downey City Library.

Benjamin Dickow
Downey City Library Director
City of Downey