All LA County Library locations will be closed on Monday, February 17 in observance of Presidents' Day. Our Digital Library is available 24/7.
Find links to wildfire updates and emergency resources on our homepage.
Learning to identify letters can be done through life experiences. Help your child gain new literacy skills by going shopping! Children will decorate a paper bag and have fun searching for letters. For ages 18 mos – 4 yrs with a parent or caregiver.
Join our free game for all ages! Earn badges and prizes as you log reading & activities. Visit LACountyLibrary.org/Summer-Discovery to learn more and sign up!
AGE GROUP: | Toddlers | Preschoolers | Babies |
EVENT TYPE: | Education & Literacy | Arts, Crafts, & Hobbies |
TAGS: | Summer Discovery Program | Smart Start | Art Activity |
Gardena Library was born under the sponsorship of the Wednesday Progressive Club before the Los Angeles County Free Library was founded in 1912.
In 1914, Gardena Library became a branch of the new County System. Only a few months later, the library was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles City Library Board due to annexation. It was not until August 1951 that Gardena Library came back to the County System.
The present building was dedicated on December 5, 1964 and re-named Gardena Mayme Dear Memorial Library on May 30, 1992 in honor of the late Mrs. Mayme Dear for her many years of dedicated volunteer services to the library.
The Gardena Mayme Dear Library features an enclosed Japanese Garden designed by Takuma P. Tono, professor of landscape design at Tokyo Agriculture University. The 150-year-old stone lantern in the garden was a gift of Gardena's sister city, Ichikawa. A mosaic mural above the main entrance depicts the development of books and printing.
The library was closed for refurbishment in 2008 and reopened in January 2009 with a fresh contemporary interior and new furniture. The Teen Space was dedicated in February 2011.
