Javin Carter is always looking to keep his mind active and productive, and makes an effort to go to the library at least once a week. While he often visits the Inglewood Public Library, he chose to visit a different location Wednesday morning: the Vermont Square branch. 

Carter said the library is one of the few places he can get peace and quiet, and jokes that it lets him get away from his loud siblings.

“You know, out here in this world you can get distracted hella fast,” Carter said. “The more you read, the smarter you get.”

The Vermont Square Public Library is a physical and metaphorical centerpiece in its community. 

Nestled between the blocks of 48th Street and Budlong Avenue, the library sits adjacent to the neighborhood park and is surrounded by an array of colorful houses. The ornate doorway of the building, complemented with a white brick exterior and terracotta roof tiling, makes it a peculiar sight. 

“People just don’t know that this is a library,” said branch manager Martha Sherod. “They drive by and say, ‘Well, what is that building?’”

The library hosts a variety of events throughout the month, including the local neighborhood council meetings, workshops for financial assistance, and arts and crafts activities. One of the most popular events is Reading to the Rescue, where kids practice reading aloud to therapy dogs.

“Kids love it. Parents love it. The dogs love it,” Sherod said.

The steps leading inside travel upward to the circulation desk in the center of the room, as if library goers are moving up to gain wisdom and knowledge. The desk divides the two main sections, one for kids and the other for adults, each with a set of computers and tables. Despite its secluded location and rather small size, the library gets hundreds of visitors every week, according to the library’s visitor logs.

Sasha Selvin comes to the library early in the morning on most days, checking her emails and browsing Pinterest. She said that the proximity to her home, the library’s operating hours and safe environment all suit her needs.

“It’s a very nice place, it’s nice and cool, nice and neat,” Selvin said. “I love it.” 

A 2013 survey by Pew Research Center found that over 90% of Americans say their local libraries are important because of the services they offer, their promotion of learning and literacy, and their promotion of a safe and welcoming environment.

The Vermont Square building, constructed in 1913, is the oldest of the 72 branches within the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) system. Sporting an Italian Renaissance revival design, columns with marble bases and symmetrical glass windows adorn the interior. The wood on the walls and front door remain the same from the original construction. 

The pandemic was troublesome for the library. It closed in March 2020 and didn’t reopen until June of the following year. During that period, library staff at the branch and other LAPL branches worked as disaster service workers, providing food and resources for vulnerable groups at various sites. Staff also operated as contact tracers to track COVID-19 in an effort to slow the spread. 

“We can see a huge change as far as people coming in,” Sherod said. “When we first opened, people would pop in, pop out, be very quick. We had very few people stay in the building.”

In December 2021, former city councilwoman Rita Walters was posthumously dedicated with a plaque that now rests on a wall near the front of the building. Walters was an LAUSD teacher for 12 years and served on the LAPL board of commissioners for 15 years. At the unveiling of the plaque, former L.A. mayor Eric Garcetti and current city councilmember Curren Price described as an inspiration and advocate for underrepresented people in the community. 

The dedication is a reminder of the impact the library has, and the responsibility it holds to support its patrons. Sherod says that it’s a joy for the library and its services to be “a positive influence in people’s lives.”

“To see little kids and families with huge stacks of books they’re checking out,” Sherod said. “It’s a great thing for them.”

Editor’s note: Updated Oct. 3 to correct Curren Price’s title from “former councilmember” to “current council member.”