Glendora Public Library

The current Glendora Library building opened on February 28, 1972. Over 1600 people attended the dedication and open house two days prior. 

The Glendora Library traces its beginning all the way back to 1903, when a group of local women began the Athena Club. The club worked to create a reading room, which opened in 1904. The collection was eventually transferred to the new Glendora Woman's Club, which established a free library. The collection continue to grow until 1912, when the city of Glendora assumed control and the Library became a city department.

The Library moved several times in the intervening years before the current location was built. 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the Library's current location: "50 @ 140".

The Glendora Library traces its beginning all the way back to 1903, when a group of local women began the Athena Club. The club worked to create a reading room, which opened in 1904. The collection was eventually transferred to the new Glendora Woman's Club, which established a free library. The collection continue to grow until 1912, when the city of Glendora assumed control and the Library became a city department. The Library's location moved several times in the intervening years, including the current location of City Hall.

By 1971 the Bidwell Memorial Library had outgrown its quarters and a new building was erected on Glendora Avenue between City Hall and the Police facility. The doors were opened to the public on February 28, 1972.

In 1989 the library introduced its first computer-based catalog, replacing the traditional paper card catalog. In 1992, the Glendora Reads! adult literacy program was started. That year also saw the opening of the Friends of Glendora Library Book and Gift Shop. In 1993 the Glendora Public Library Friends Foundation was formed as a 501{c}3 non-profit corporation. The foundation partners with the City of Glendora to provide volunteer and financial support to enhance library services. The foundation provides this support through gifts, grants and donations.

Library programs and events sponsored by the foundation include the Summer Reading Clubs for children, teens and adults, special programs and events for all ages, cultural events, volunteer recognition and the adult literacy program.

In April 1994, the library opened the Computer Learning Center, giving the public access to computers and eventually the Internet. The library hosted the first City of Glendora’s website and employee e-mail network. All of this was made possible by the Friends Foundation.

On January 24, 2004, the library celebrated its centennial: 100 years of information, imagination and inspiration to the Glendora community! The Glendora High School’s Tartan Pipe and Drum Corp. and the Boy and Girl Scouts as color guards kicked-off the event. Dignitaries from the community and the political arena gave speeches and proclamations in honor of the library and its volunteer roots. After the formal ceremony was completed, music, food, a historical portrayal of Pio Pico, games, prizes and a puppet show kept adults and children entertained.

In April 2009, the Library held its dedication ceremony for the newly completed Friends Room and the City’s first extreme water-wise garden. Community support for the Friends Room was captured by their hand prints placed on a metal oak tree as the leaves. The art work was created by Conrad Brazzel. The water-wise garden was created through a partnership with Monrovia Growers, who donated the plants and expertise, and the City’s Planning, Public Works and Community Services departments.

May 11, 2012, marked the Centennial celebration of the Glendora Woman’s Club handing over their library to the Glendora City Council. This generous act created the Glendora Public Library. Linke all other public buildings, the library building was closed to the public during COVID, but library services continued uninterrupted and staff provided research assistance, conducted virtual programming, and distributed library materials to the public through the "Library to Go" service.

History of the Glendora Library, City of Glendora. Accessed May 17th 2022. https://www.cityofglendora.org/departments-services/library/about-us/history-of-the-library/the-city-of-glendora.