Sierra Madre Public Library Temporarily Closes as It Prepares to Return Home

Temporary location of Sierra Madre Library (Photo – Daniel Peters)

The Sierra Madre Public Library closed to the public on Feb. 1 as it begins the transition from its temporary location back to its permanent home.

By Rena Kurlander

With the closure of the temporary facility at 350 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., library staff are preparing to move operations back to the original building at 440 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.

After serving the community for two years from the temporary space, the Library is set to return with major upgrades and expanded services. Both the temporary and permanent locations will remain closed to the public through May 31, 2026, while staff merge the temporary collection with the larger library collection that has been in long-term storage.

The project is supported by $10,669,210 in state and federal grant funding, along with $1,800,000 from City Reserves. The funding will modernize the original 1955 library building and support expanded services for years to come.

Planned improvements include seismic and ADA upgrades, asbestos abatement, new HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems, improved green space, and a 5,000-square-foot expansion.

Although the physical locations are closed, library services remain available online 24/7. Community members are encouraged to renew or sign up for a library card before Feb. 1 to maintain access to digital resources, including Libby for eBooks and eAudiobooks, PressReader for magazines and newspapers, Kanopy for streaming movies, Freegal for music streaming, ComicsPlus for graphic novels, Mango Languages, and Brainfuse for homework help, test preparation, college readiness, and resume support. Additional resources are also available through the online catalog.

The Library’s return will be celebrated with a Grand Reopening, Ribbon Cutting, and Summer Reading Kickoff on Saturday, June 6, 2026. Library officials expressed gratitude for the community’s support and patience during the transition and look forward to welcoming patrons back to the refreshed and expanded facility.