Where will residents go after the Benjamin Franklin Library’s temporary bungalow closes this year? 

To Boyle Heights resident Adriana Caceres, the ongoing closure of the Benjamin Franklin Branch Library feels like her neighborhood has been abandoned.

“I wouldn’t wish it upon any community. It’s almost like you’re hurting the community at its core, you know. That’s the heart, the library,” said Caceres, 24.

Caceres, who has visited the library since childhood, frequents the temporary bungalow put in place while the main building remains closed for renovations. As an activist, she visits weekly to print fliers promoting immigrant rights. Caceres feels fortunate that she only needs the library for printing services, instead of relying on it for more pressing needs.

“The community needs to speak up. I feel like we need to do something … whether [it’s] passing around fliers or another form of action,” Caceres said. 

Since December 2022, the temporary bungalow in the parking lot has provided books, workshops and limited computer access to residents. That bungalow, however, is expected to close mid-to-late this year, which means no services will be available at the branch until the main building’s reopening in 2026. 

The Benjamin Franklin Branch Library first closed its doors to the public during the pandemic in 2020, like many other libraries throughout the city. But while other libraries reopened, the local branch remained closed after it was determined it needed extensive renovations.

Initially, it was set to reopen in early 2024, but renovation delays have pushed that until 2026, library officials told Boyle Heights Beat. 

Neighborhood residents, along with new Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado, are seeking answers.  

On Feb. 12, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a motion by Jurado that instructs the city’s Bureau of Engineering and other departments to file a report within 45 days, detailing the progress of renovations, including the scope of remaining work and a timeline for completion. 

The report must also list the reasons for the continued delays and strategies to accelerate construction, as well as interim measures to maintain library services once the bungalow closes this year.

In the motion, Jurado notes that the bungalow’s “limited space and resources fail to adequately meet the needs of the community.”

“These delays have created significant challenges for Boyle Heights residents, particularly students, immigrants, and working families,” according to the motion.

At the council meeting, Jurado said the approval of her motion is “the first step and long overdue in restoring access to the Boyle Heights library.”

“Boyle Heights, like any neighborhood, deserves our city services and deserves a safe place for respite on all community groups,” Jurado said.

Senior Librarian and Branch Manager Lupie Leyva grew up in the neighborhood and has fond memories of going to the library as a child. She previously told Boyle Heights Beat that the library staff is doing its best to continue being a resource for the community, even with the bungalow’s limited space.

“We love this community and we’re trying to do as much as possible,” she said.

With the uncertainty surrounding the reopening of the library, Leyva encourages the public to also visit the Malabar Branch Library and the Robert Louis Stevenson Library, which are also in Boyle Heights. Residents often forget there are three branch libraries in the neighborhood, she said.

Egbert Matthews, who has been coming to this library for 10 years, said he misses the main building. He visits the library for its hotspot, computers and restroom.

“It’s taken too long to open,” he said.

The main library is more “easily accessible,” said Matthews, who added that the main library had more computers.

Fernando Cruz, 52, said he’s been going to the Benjamin Franklin Library since he was 10 years old. He visits twice a month to rent movies. Cruz said he appreciates the helpful librarians, but he misses his old library. 

“I understand why it’s closed. I just want them to open it up soon. It’s been a while already,” Cruz said.

“It’s cozy here in this small one, but more things fit in the big one. There’s a library of movies that I can choose from here, but it’s very limited,” he added.

As for Caceres, she said it’d be easy for her to drive to the Los Angeles Central Library in downtown, but she sticks to the temporary bungalow to “support the little branch.”

“I like seeing the familiar faces and the dogs,” she said.