History Originally Rowland Heights, an unincorporated area of Los Angeles County, was part of the Workman Temple Homestead in California's rancho days. Since the 1990's Rowland Heights has been in a steadily upward growth mode, serving an estimated (1996) population of 48,488 plus surrounding areas. Rowland Heights Community Library, a branch of the County of Los Angeles Public Library, was opened in Eastwood Shopping Center on July 21, 1971. The Library moved to its current building on Nogales on April 20, 1979. It was refurbished in 1990.
Collection The collection includes 173,890 books; 129 magazine and newspaper subscriptions; 7,607 audio recordings and 8,860 videocassettes. The Library also has collections of ethnic and non-English (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese) materials, local history materials, telephone directories, pamphlets and maps, microforms and CD-ROM educational materials. The Friends of the Library sponsors rental book and videocassette collections.
Services The Library has online library catalogs that provide access to the entire County Library collection and to online reference databases; public access Internet computers; coin-operated photocopiers; a microfilm/microfiche reader/printer, typewriters and a self-check machine. A full range of Adult and Children's programs are provided year-round. There is a Homework Center to support the educational needs of students from local schools.
Facilities The Library interior has 14,000 square feet of space in a single floor. The community room has a seating capacity of approximately 80. It has a public phone and drinking fountains in the lobby. The exterior has an area for parking.