By Mary O’KEEFE

The La Crescenta Library celebrated its first year anniversary on Saturday. The Crescenta Valley High School Jazz Band entertained guests as they congratulated Marta Wiggins, library manager, and  ate cake.

“It’s been a whirlwind,” said Wiggins of the year since the grand opening.

On Jan. 29, 2010 the La Crescenta Library at the corner of La Crescenta Avenue and Foothill Boulevard was officially opened. Residents have taken full advantage of the facility, including a well used community room, but the road to a new library was not traveled lightly. Hundreds of volunteer hours and community and elected officials support went into the design and construction of the facility.

The library cost $14.5 million. The majority of that came from the Los Angeles County, which put in $13 million. L.A. County Mayor Michael Antonovich was a strong supporter of the project and it was he who formed a committee that included local community members to oversee the design and building of the library.

“The library is the crown jewel of the [committee’s] hard work. There were many meetings that took place,” Antonovich said during last year’s grand opening.

Congressman David Dreier brought in $1.5 million and $350,000 was found through the sale of surplus library property. The previous library that stood at that same location was 4,300 square feet; the new library is 15,000 square feet.

The facility was a community effort with community input, Anotonovich said.

The library remains a La Crescenta focal point with many residents using the community room for local meetings including Crescenta Valley Town Council.

“It was the right time for the community [to get a new library],” Wiggins said. “We have had a fabulous response from [residents]. It is a wonderful community.”

The library has a variety of programs that vary throughout the week like the puppet show that was part of the anniversary celebration on Saturday.

Wiggins said the support from the community has been great but they can always use more volunteers.

“We need volunteers throughout the year,” she said.

The summer is a perfect time for students to volunteer to help at the library. Adults are needed during the day.

Anyone who has time and would like to help their community library can contact Marta Wiggins at (818) 248-5313. The library is located at 2809 Foothill Blvd. in La Crescenta.

  La Crescenta Library