Pilar Alcivar-McCoy
Community Services Director
City of Signal Hill
The Little Library That Could. The Little Library on the Hill. These are just a few of the nicknames that have been bestowed upon the only library in Signal Hill, the beloved Signal Hill Public Library.
This small but well-cared-for library serves the city of Signal Hill and its 11,000 residents as it has for more than 75 years. Since it opened, the library has been housed in a variety of locations, including the top floor and basement of City Hall, and, since 1978, the 4,234-square-foot library has been sharing what used to be the site of the local firehouse with the Signal Hill Police Department at 1770 E. Hill St.
Through the years, there have been a few distinguished librarians overseeing operations, including Carole Malloy, who retired in 2009 after 29 years with the City, and the current librarian, Gail Ashbrooke.
Though it is small in size, it is big on service, which is why the patronage consists not only of Signal Hill residents but of folks from Long Beach, Lakewood, Cerritos and many other cities in the area. People come to the Signal Hill Library because they receive personal and friendly service. Staff know patrons by name and often go out of their way to help them find what they are looking for, whether it is a book, a website or an answer to a reference question. Because of this level of service, the library has become a cornerstone in the community.
Children grow up in the library. Starting with the Baby Storytime, there are programs and services for people of all ages. Kids can come and learn about recycling, bullying and healthy living. They can get help with their homework or just lounge in the newly redesigned children’s area where they can find books, magazines, puzzles and quiet games. Teens drop in for Wii tournaments and to read to younger children. Parents can find books about parenting and child development, and get books for children that address sensitive topics such as the death of a pet or how to handle puberty.
Adults get together on the first Friday of every month for a lively discussion on books and can participate in free computer workshops offered throughout the month. Seniors can enjoy quiet reading, computers, workshops and social time on the second Thursday of the month before the library opens to the public. Families come for special programs such as game nights scheduled throughout the year.
This library truly has something for everyone who walks through its doors. And that is why we are looking forward to growing! In March 2011, the City of Signal Hill secured funding to begin the process of designing and building a new library facility. The possibility of a newer, larger library with up-to-date technologies has been a dream for many in this community for close to a decade. Residents consistently rate a new library as a top priority in needs assessments and master planning meetings. With the economy struggling and unemployment rates soaring, the library has become a necessity for so many families in the community. Patronage is at an all-time high, and staff are inundated with requests for more computers, more access to information on job hunting and workshops to teach members of the older generations how to navigate the tech world. With all of this activity, the library is literally bursting at the seams.
Thankfully, with the secured funding for a new facility, we are on our way to realizing a dream come true. Tina Hansen, vice mayor of Signal Hill, is now forming a Library Design Committee to provide input on the new facility and its key components. The Library Design Committee, made up of Signal Hill residents and community leaders, will meet several times between July and October to develop a design plan for the library which is slated to be completed by 2014.
