Los Angeles Public Library – Watts Branch

Staff is rude, does not make you feel comfortable to ask questions, which is what they should be there for. There is noisy people there and staff doesn’t seem to care. There are 6 computers and only two to print so of someone is using it longer than they should, you’re left waiting. I wish there were closer libraries to me or nicer staff but that’s not the case.

I normally travel to the Long Beach main library for my book fix but since its been hot lately I decided to go to this branch close to my house.
This library is loud. I was scanning the shelves and a guy kept walking pass me rapping about what he would do to a woman. It was disgusting and unnecessary with all the children around.
The library has limited computer access. In Long Beach you get an hour but here its fifteen minutes (Yeah, I’m serious). On top of that there are only 2 computers for internet access, 2 for kids only, and 2 for library book search. Best bet is to bring your laptop. Printing is 25 cents a page btw.
Their book selection is limited to say the least. I am a huge YA fan and the selection here is sad. The YA section is a small corner of the library. The selection is basic (Twilight and Hunger Games) and the books have a weird smell. The overall feel of the library is sad and forgotten.
I guess I’ll be returning to my main branch in Long Beach.

The ghettoest library I’ve ever been to. Has been doing better over the years. Gets the job done.

**********A Black History Month Special*******************
Library service for the Watts community began in 1913 when space in the local City Hall was provided for a librarian and a collection of 120 books borrowed from the County Library. The quarters were temporary and designed to meet the immediate needs of the community while a Carnegie library building was under construction at 9901 Grandee Avenue. One year later, the library moved to its new building and operated under the auspices of the City of Watts. When Watts was annexed by Los Angeles in 1926, the library became the Watts Branch of Los Angeles Public Library. The library established itself as an important educational and recreational component of the community. In 1957, voters approved a Branch Library Bond Issue, and money was made available for the construction of a new facility. Three years later the Watts Branch opened its new 3,600 square foot building at 1501 East 103^rd Street. Circulation more than doubled in the first year, and in time it became evident that additional space was needed.
On June 25,1996 the Los Angeles City Council voted to name the Watts Branch the Alma Reaves Woods Watts Branch. Ms. Woods has been active in the community encouraging literacy, reading and library use since the 1950s.
Blah Blah Blah.
When my parents, who should not have had children at their age, were on the outs, my mom would drag us kids to LA where she had family. During one of these cool off periods for her, we lived around the corner from this library. It was the late 60’s. By this time, the library was packed with books and information and was a wonderful place to visit. I remember reading volumes of revolutionary books, pamphlets, periodicals, prose, poems… all that. A lot was happening socially at that time with the Civil Rights Movement and it was an exciting time for self discovery. We would come here on field trips and before there was a term «latch key kids» we were here sometimes until moms came home from work or school
These days, when I have a chance roll through that old hood, I pass this place and it evokes warm memories. (Yep, a bitch got some warm memories in her steaming pile). It still looks peaceful and clean. I don’t venture through this area often, even though the area is rich in Los Angeles history. An unsavory element of crime and violence has corrupted the area but not bad enough to keep me from taking a shortcut when I don’t want to navigate a freeway.
So, now you know, my intellectual militancy runs deep and was nurtured through books during a changing time and my military experience only provided an addiional edge. Time and tide, Baby. If I had been born a few years earlier, I’d have been an official member of the Black Panther Party. But the revolution has already been televised, all shined up and edited on CNN.
At least I still have my afro.