About the branch
Library service on an established basis began in 1950 in a small room of the estate of Mr. and Mrs. Wayland Morrison, with Mrs. Lisa Pederson as the librarian. The holdings were small, but the request system of the County Library gave the community access to the vast resources of the system.
In 1954, a storefront building in Bank of America Square was made available. Since the location was more central, more patrons came, circulation increased, and however inadequate the facility, the library provided vital, friendly service to the rapidly growing community.
With a nucleus of members from the Duarte Women's Club, the Friends of the Duarte Library was formed, and in 1961, Mrs. Richard (Aloysia) Moore was elected first permanent president. Mrs. Moore, who had been instrumental in the formation of library service in Duarte, was appointed as Library Regional Council Member to the Advisory Board for the County Library.
Mrs. Moore promptly began plans to provide a larger facility and with the considerable help of the Women's Club, the County Librarian, Mr. William Geller and his staff as well as the citizens of Duarte, a new facility was dedicated in 1966. Mrs. Moore was on the dedication platform as City Councilwoman, with Los Angeles County Supervisor Frank Bonelli and Mr. William Geller, the County Librarian.
In April 1977, the main reading room was dedicated to Dr. and Mrs. Wayland Morrison (Lucile P Morrison), thus providing recognition of the continuity of purpose in the history of library service in Duarte.
Library service in the city of Duarte has gone from a small collection to a sizable collection of books, magazines and newspapers in both the adult and children's departments. The Library also has an active Friends of the Library group.
