Inglewood’s long-beleaguered Morningside Park Branch Library will open to the public on Saturday after a renovation that took the structure down to its studs.
A grand opening celebration starting at 11 a.m. will be the first chance for the public to see the new bookshelves, computer lab and activity spaces that fill the 3,000-square-foot space at 3202 W. 85th Street.
“It’s exciting, delayed, an opportunity for grandness,” said Kerri Arroyo, library director. “It’s a huge welcome back.”
The Morningside library was once a residence, but was donated to the city for use as a library by former Mayor Raymond Darby, Arroyo said.
Butts said the library has been closed on and off since the late 1970s.
“We’re so thrilled to have that library available,” Butts said.
The library ceased regular operations in 2010, according to Inglewood’s website, though it continued hosting special events. Recent renovation work started in June 2023, according to the city’s website.
The open plan interior of the library is divided into quadrants, with one dedicated to books, one to computers and two set up for activities from science labs to story time. Arroyo said most of the furniture — aside from the bookshelves — is wheeled to provide for flexible uses.
Inglewood started a much larger renovation project at the city’s downtown main library in October. Arroyo said the city is currently planning to wrap the roughly $60 million effort in summer 2027.
