In 1984, two Venice residents, Joan Del Monte and Patricia Johnson, and the senior Venice Branch librarian, Lucille Cappas, had the glimmerings of an idea - create a Friends of Venice Library that supported the mission of the Venice Branch Library as part of the Los Angeles Public Library system. With further growth and a move in 1995 to a new, larger building at the present location, our group incorporated in 2000 and became a non-profit 501(c)(3) in 2001. Over the years, the FoVL has grown to over 100 members who have been able to significantly support the branch and help it serve our unique community.
Joan Del Monte - one of the original 2 founding members of the Friends
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Patricia (Pat) Johnson - one of the original 2 founders of the Friends - and her husband. Photo courtesy of Cindy Johnson Howard.
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The Venice Branch was located for many years at 610 California Avenue.
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Designed by Ernest P. Howard & Associates, the new library building opened on August 12, 1995.
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For more about the original library building go to: http://laplhistoricsites.org/venice.php OR go to: http://pcad.lib.washington.edu/building/4602/
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Retirement of Senior Librarian Lucille Cappas:
https://patch.com/california/venice/an-era-ends-at-venices-public-library |
"The new Venice library is more than twice the size of the original one. It is a wonderful place for residents, especially children, to go. In keeping with the beliefs of founder Abbot Kinney, who was an early advocate of libraries and learning, the library was renamed the Venice – Abbot Kinney Memorial Branch Library." Originally from http://www.betsysellsvenice.com/venice-history/
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