Robert Louis Stevenson Branch Library
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = Robert Louis Stevenson Branch Library
| nrhp_type =
| image = Robert Louis Stevenson Branch Library, Los Angeles.JPG
| caption = Stevenson Branch, 2008
| location = 803 Spence St., Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California
| coordinates = {{coord|34|1|40|N|118|11|50|W|display=inline,title}}
| locmapin = USA Los Angeles Metropolitan Area#California#USA
| area =
| built = 1927
| architect = Lindsay, George L.
| architecture = Mission-Spanish Colonial Revival
| added = May 19, 1987
| mpsub = Los Angeles Branch Library System TR
| refnum = 87001021
}}
Robert Louis Stevenson Branch Library is a branch library of the Los Angeles Public Library located in the Boyle Heights section of Los Angeles, California. It was built in 1927 based on a Spanish Colonial Revival design by architect George L. Lindsay.{{Cite web|title=PCAD - City of Los Angeles, Public Library (LAPL), Stevenson, Robert Louis, Branch, Los Angeles, CA|url=http://pcad.lib.washington.edu/building/6251/|access-date=2020-06-10|website=pcad.lib.washington.edu}}
History
In 1987, the Stevenson Branch and several other branch libraries in Los Angeles were added to the National Register of Historic Places as part of a thematic group submission.The {{NRHP url|id=64000066|title=Los Angeles Branch Library System TR}} Multiple Property Submission nomination explains 22 branch libraries but one, the University Branch, appears not to have been listed. The application noted that the branch libraries had been constructed in a variety of period revival styles to house the initial branch library system of the City of Los Angeles.
= Whittier Narrows Earthquake and Reconstruction =
The Branch was temporarily closed in 1987 due to the Whittier Narrows Earthquake, along with 6 other L.A. branch libraries. The structural damage reported totaled approximately $32,000.{{cite news |last1=Soble |first1=Ronald L. |title=Quake Shuts Key Units, 7 Branches of L.A. Library |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-10-18-me-15128-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=18 October 1987 }} On July 28, 1988, while the building was closed for repairs, the branch was moved to a temporary location on 3500 Whittier Blvd, Los Angeles.{{cite press release |last1=Jones |first1=Wyman |last2=Reagan |first2=Robert |url=http://dbase1.lapl.org/webpics/calindex/documents/11/521197.pdf |title=Robert Louis Stevenson branch to reopen in temporary quarters July 28 |date=21 July 1988 |publisher=Los Angeles Public Library Library News |access-date=June 8, 2022}}{{cite news |title=Local News in Brief Sites Leased for Libraries |work=Los Angeles Times |date=11 March 1988 |id={{ProQuest|292837813}} |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-03-11-me-1258-story.html }} Through the relocation process, over ten thousand volumes of books were moved from the damaged library to the temporary location.{{cite news |last1=Maxtone-Graham |first1=Guy |title=New Chapter : 3 Branch Libraries Shut by Quake to Reopen |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-07-28-me-9928-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=28 July 1988 }} Funding from the City of Los Angeles Community Development Department was used by Martinez-Hirsch Associates to design and lead the renovation and expansion of the damaged building.{{cite web |url=http://dbase1.lapl.org/webpics/calindex/documents/13/521764.pdf |title=Robert Louis Stevenson Branch Los Angeles Public Library |date=April 4, 2000 |access-date=June 8, 2022}} Although the library officials expected to be at the temporary location for many years, the library was re-opened on July 3, 1991.
See also
{{Portal|Los Angeles}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.lapl.org/branches/rl-stevenson Robert Louis Stevenson Branch Library] - Los Angeles Public Library
- [http://dbase1.lapl.org/webpics/calindex/documents/13/521762.pdf "Honor library", East L.A. Gasette, Feb. 24, 1957]
{{Los Angeles Public Library}}
{{Registered Historic Places}}
Category:Library buildings completed in 1927
Category:Libraries in Los Angeles
Category:Libraries on the National Register of Historic Places in Los Angeles
Category:Spanish Colonial Revival architecture in California