Marcy Branch Library: Riverside City Landmark #124
Location: 3711 Central Avenue
Date Established: March 15, 1958
Date Visited: 6/14/14
Marcy Branch Library, 1959*
According to the panel inside the new Marcy Branch library in “June of 1951, a committee representing the Parent-Teacher Association of Palm, Magnolia, and Jefferson Schools requested that the Riverside City and County Public Library (RCCPL) open a local branch to provide children’s material.” This would take time and money and so a temporary Magnolia Center Branch library was opened on December 10, 1951.
An invitation to the Magnolia Center Branch Library opening.**
A picture of Charles Frances Marcy at the Mission Inn Bell garden. **
The Magnolia Center Branch Library was an instant hit and circulation soared, but there was still not enough money to build a permanent structure. Wanting to help Riverside’s youth, Charles Frances Marcy stepped in and made a very generous bequest to start construction of the library. More importantly, he lobbied on the library’s side and convinced city council to appropriate additional funds to finish the project.
Riverside Police Department, 1965*
The focus of the building would be on youth and would therefore require some new ideas. Undertaking the requirements, Herman O. Ruhnau was retained to draft the design of the building. Herman O. Ruhnau’s legacy comes from the many buildings he designed in Riverside. In addition to the Marcy Branch Library he designed the current city hall, the police department, La Sierra High School, and the County Administrative Center. For the Marcy Branch he chose a circular design that attracted national attention. From a design perspective it was genius because it allowed lots of light to go into the room, which saved on electricity. Also noted in the building was the use of beams, which was popular at the time.
The children’s section of Marcy Branch Library 1959.**
The adult section of the old Marcy Branch Library.
The old check-in desk at the old Marcy Branch library with recessed lighting.
A view of the curves of the old Marcy Branch Library.
A side view of the old Marcy Branch Library today (6/14/14).
Some trees still in bloom at the old Marcy Branch.
It was interesting to me the that bathrooms for this building were outside.
In 2011, the City of Riverside decided to move the Marcy Branch library to it’s current address of 6927 Magnolia Avenue. The current building used to be a Automobile Association of America Office. The new building is two stories with about 18,000 square feet of space, which makes it vastly more expandable than the old library. There is no current occupant for the old Marcy Branch. It is hoped that in naming the building a city landmark the building will be preserved.
The driveway of the new Marcy Branch Library.
A frontal view of the new Marcy Branch Library.
A plaque dedicating the new Marcy Branch library in 2011.
A display teaches about water about the new Marcy Branch Library children’s section.
A painting of orange trees inside the new Marcy Branch Library.
A tile mosaic inside the New Marcy Branch Library.
The story corner of the new Marcy Branch Library.
New self-checkout counters at the new Marcy Branch Library.
Computers at the new Marcy Branch library.
* Used by permission from the Ruhnau Ruhnau Clarke Architectural Firm.
** As seen in the New Marcy Branch Library.
Other Sources:
Robinson, Alicia, RIVERSIDE: New Marcy library open for business, Press Enterprise, Riverside, 5/15/2011 http://www.pe.com/articles/library-612671-new-riverside.html (Accessed 6/12/14)
I lived in Riverside during my middle school years–’72 to ’75–on Carlsbad Way and, being a very bookish lad, I used the old Marcy Branch library on Central Ave with great frequency, to such an extent that it became a special place for me. It makes me sad to learn that it’s no longer a library, but I’m glad the building still stands and is evidently in use. I’ll definitely visit it the next time I’m in the area. (I live in Chicago now.)
If you have more old photos of the library, please do post them or send to me via email.
Thanks,
Joe Johnston
The old library was just recently reopened as a second hand store to benefit foster pets.
Loved your article! F.A.A.R. (Foster Army Animal Rescue) is having an Open House event on 8/19/23 and I was asked to do an informational board regarding Marcy and the library. I’m citing your blog spot in the credits, it was a lovely informative article.
Not sure if you’ve ever featured the Peter J. Weber house in the parking lot of the Courtyard Marriott hotel at 1510 University Avenue in a blog. I’m on the board of directors of that non-profit and our “headquarters” are housed in the Weber house (c. 1938). http://www.oldriverside.org for more info. Again, thanks for a great article!