Access to all Library services will be unavailable on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 starting at 9 pm due to server maintenance. Services are expected to resume in the early morning hours of Thursday, August 20.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by making a matchbox nicho—small, colorful boxes that honor loved ones or display religious images originating in Latin America. For adults.
Nichos blend early Spanish influences with Indigenous and mestizo designs. Though used year-round, they’re especially popular during Día de los Muertos. This activity explores this tradition by creating mini nichos with empty matchboxes. For adults.
Attendance is limited, and advance registration is required. Please register every individual in your party. This will be used to save your spots in the program. We cannot guarantee availability for any unregistered attendees.
AGE GROUP: | Adults |
EVENT TYPE: | History, Society, & Culture | Arts, Crafts, & Hobbies |
TAGS: | Hispanic Heritage Month | Faith, Culture, & Community |
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.
