A Community Like No Other

 

 

West Hollywood is a city that values education, culture and strong community.

We are creative, innovative and culturally diverse. Our city was born from a collective desire to advocate for our citizens and create a place where everyone feels at home. Today, people actively seek out West Hollywood for many reasons: to live, work, socialize, conduct business and raise families.

 

 

Over the years, West Hollywood has earned a reputation as a close-knit community that champions human rights and embraces diversity. One of every three residents identify themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. The city is home to one of the largest Russian immigrant communities in the region. Human services and educational and cultural organizations have been established to respond to emerging and diverse community needs.

We have a clear sense of style. West Hollywood is an established powerhouse in the art, design and entertainment sectors that attracts new artists and entrepreneurs. Area residents and visitors alike come to West Hollywood for inspiration, entertainment, and to participate in the creative economy.

West Hollywood needed a library that serves as a place to gather, reconnect with community, learn and experience new ideas and shared passion. Our previous library was unfortunately not up to the task. It was built in 1959, and our needs had changed greatly in 50 years.

Despite these shortcomings, our community's use of and need for a library remain strong. Since 2000, close to 1 million books and audiovisual materials have been checked out of the library, the equivalent of four to five books or other materials every year for every West Hollywood resident.

In a 2006 community survey, more than half of the respondents ranked "an expanded and enhanced library facility and services" as one of the most important needs of the community. 

We now have a civic center - a place to gather, reconnect, learn and experience new ideas and shared passions. West Hollywood Library will fulfill that need with a state-of-the-art facility and expanded green, cultural and civic space, and more.