All LA County Library locations will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day. Our Digital Library is open 24/7.
The reception will feature a viewing of the photography exhibit and a conversation with Dr. Skye Patrick, County Librarian and Director of LA County Library, Deborah Jian Lee of the Economic Hardship Reporting Project, and the exhibit’s artists.
In partnership with the Economic Hardship Reporting Project and Magnum Photographers, The Californians Powering America is a powerful, immersive photography exhibit featuring six compelling photo essays that illuminate the immigrant labor force driving California’s most vital industries—from agriculture and construction to caregiving and fire recovery.
At a time when immigrant communities are increasingly marginalized, this exhibit tells their stories with empathy, intimacy, and urgency. The Californians Powering America invites you to see the humanity behind its workforce. These are the faces and stories of the people who make the California Dream possible. From the Central Valley’s farmlands to Los Angeles kitchens and clinics, immigrants are fueling agriculture, construction, food service, healthcare, and more.
Through the work of award-winning photographers and storytellers, Californians Powering America puts a human face on this invisible workforce, capturing both their daily struggles and deep resilience.
AGE GROUP: | Adults |
EVENT TYPE: | Lectures & Conversations | History, Society, & Culture | Education & Literacy | Citizenship & Immigration |
San Fernando Library opened in November 1914 as a branch of the Los Angeles County Free Library. This library, the first public library in the mainly agricultural San Fernando Valley, found its home in the Industrial Arts building of the San Fernando Union High School located at 130 North Brand Blvd. In the first year, 1,849 books were circulated to 156 borrowers.
From 1925 to 1946, the library weathered the Depression and war years in three store-front locations all on North Maclay Street. Then from 1946 to 1953, the library was located at 11223 First Street.
In 1953, the library joined with city services when it became part of the civic center at 102 Macneil Street. Growth continued for the city and the library with the collection reaching a total of 27,572 volumes in 1964 for the library's 50th anniversary.
The 1970's saw the development of a strong Spanish-language collection and the creation of the community support group---the Friends of the San Fernando Library. In 1988, the library moved into a 6,000 square-foot facility located at 150 N. Library Street.
On June 20, 2001, the library moved to 217 North Maclay Ave, a brand new 8,601 square-foot leased facility. The library is the center piece of the newly constructed Library Plaza Mall. The project was a private/public partnership.
