Altadena Main Library Reopens, Marking a Milestone in Community’s Recovery

Just two months after the devastating Eaton Fire tore through Altadena, destroying thousands of homes, forcing business closures and displacing residents, the Altadena Main Library reopened Tuesday, bringing a little more sense of relief and normalcy back to the community.

The library, a 26,000-square-foot mid-century modern structure first built in 1967, has long served as a central hub for the town, offering not only traditional library services but also makerspace workshops, a “library of things,” and vital community programming.

“This library is a beautiful example of mid-century modern architecture and when it was designed, this was supposed to be a sort of community living room, and we’ve always called it that. And so we are just so excited for people to be able to come back, and whether their home is here, or whether their home has been lost, there’s a living room that’s available for them … and we hope they find a little bit of calm in the midst of everything,” Board of Library Trustee Dr. Katie Clark told CBS News.

The reopened library also hosts a Disaster Service Center, for Altadena residents who may still require help navigating through government and local services.

Both the office of State Assemblymember John Harabedian and State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez honored the library with certificates of recognition.

Nikki Winslow, District Director of the Altadena Library District, recalled the tense days following the January 7 fire, which was driven by extreme winds.

“That day, we closed early to let staff get home safely, and then about an hour later, the fire started,” Winslow said. “We spent the first few days just hoping and praying that our buildings would survive.”

The Altadena Main Library and its smaller counterpart, the Bob Lucas Library—currently undergoing renovations—both escaped significant damage. Winslow credited the facility’s automatic HVAC vent system, which shut down upon detecting smoke, for keeping contamination to a minimum. However, the aftermath still required extensive remediation, including a full cleaning of the HVAC system and vent ducts.

Infrastructure issues slowed the recovery process. The library remained without power for over a month, and more than two miles of fiber optic cable had to be replaced to restore internet access. The water system remains compromised, requiring the use of portable handwashing stations for now.

Despite these challenges, Winslow said the team worked hard to prepare for reopening.

“We want to offer traditional library services like we always have, but also work with our partner groups in the community to connect people to the resources they need to help recover and rebuild,” she said.

For residents, the library’s return represents more than just books and Wi-Fi—it signals progress in a town still reeling from the fire.

“Oh gosh, I think it means everything,” said Altadena Town Council Chair Victoria Knapp at the opening Tuesday morning. “So many Altadenans are displaced, and we’re all sort of flung to the wind. But anyone coming back to do anything in Altadena will want to come here.”

Knapp noted that while many businesses are still struggling to reopen due to water system damage, the library’s use of portable handwashing stations provided a workaround.

“Every store, every business, every shop that reopens is a big deal, and we all want to be there for them,” she said. “For the library to reopen just two months out from the fire is pretty quick.”

As the town continues its recovery, Knapp urged visitors and agencies working in Altadena to support local businesses.

“If you are in the area, please come back,” she said. “Patronize every business that’s open, because that’s what’s going to keep them going, as the rest of the town recovers around them.”