Barbara Nightingale
Community Library Manager
18722 S. Clarkdale Ave.
Artesia, CA 90701-5817
Phone: (562) 865-6614

History
The Artesia Public Library is one of the pioneer outlets of the County of Los Angeles Public Library, having been established in June 1913, as the 13th branch of the newly founded system. The library was established largely as a result of the activities of Mr. C. L. Edgerton, principal of the Artesia School and chairman of a committee which had organized the Young People's Society of Artesia.

The first librarian, Mrs. Della M. Brooker, served voluntarily without pay the first year because County policy at that time required the local community to provide all of the services except for the books which the Library supplied. At the end of the year, the County Library assumed all expenses.

The library has had various locations; a store building, the Women's Clubhouse, and was located from 1929 to 1937 in a building constructed for library use on a lease basis. In 1937 the library was housed in a building on Pioneer Boulevard, remaining there until completion of the new community center in Artesia Park in 1963. In May 2000, the library was refurbished with the support of Supervisor Don Knabe, Supervisor Fourth District, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

Collection
The current collection totals 56,650 books, 55 magazine and newspaper subscriptions; 3,600 audiocassettes and 3,930 videocassettes. The library offers materials in English, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Dutch and Portuguese.

Services
The Artesia Library provides basic library services to the residents of the Artesia-Cerritos area. Services available are basic reference services, children's programs, Homework Center, public access Internet computers, and a Friends of the Library rental collection.

Facilities
This 5,151 square foot building is located in the Artesia Park across the street from the City Hall.

Political Representatives

• U.S. Congressional District: 39th
  Linda Sanchez
  URL: http://www.house.gov/lindasanchez/

• State Senate District: 27th
  Alan Lowenthal
  URL: http://dist27.casen.govoffice.com/

• State Assembly District: 56th
  Tony Mendoza
  URL: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a56/

• Supervisorial District: 4th
  Don Knabe
  URL: http://knabe.com/

Local Links

Artesia Historical Society
P.O. Box 83
Artesia, CA, 90702-0083
(562) 865-1503

	ABC Unified School District URL: http://www.abcusd.k12.ca.us/ Information about the school district including school profiles.
	City of Artesia URL: http://www.cityofartesia.us Official web site of the City of Artesia. Includes information on city services, business licenses, jobs, council members and a brief history of the City of Artesia.