Alhambra Library
🏢 City of Alhambra Public Library · Alhambra, California
Alhambra Library
Alhambra Library's 45,000-square-foot civic building at 101 S. First Street, opened in 2008, draws more than 500,000 visitors a year to a multilingual collection of 200,000+ items in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese — reflecting the richly diverse San Gabriel Valley community it calls home.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 11am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 11am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 11am–8pm |
| Thursday | 11am–8pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–5pm |
| Sunday | 1pm–5pm |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 101 S. FIRST ST., ALHAMBRA, CA 91801
Phone: +1626-570-5008
Website: alhambralibrary.org
Plus Code: 85633VVF+95 (ALHAMBRA, CA)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Alhambra Library
The City of Alhambra's library tradition stretches back to 1900, when merchant George B. Adams opened a reading room on the second floor of the American Savings Bank. The City Council officially authorized the library in August 1906, and by 1915 a dedicated Classical Revival building designed by Frederick L. Roehrig — known as 'The Millionaire's Architect' — opened on Main Street. That building was demolished in 1988 after sustaining damage in the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake. The current library at 101 S. First Street opened in 2008, spanning more than 45,000 square feet across two floors. The first floor houses children's and teen sections, adult fiction, audiobooks, and community-language materials; the second floor holds adult non-fiction and microfilm. The collection exceeds 200,000 items in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese, and the library welcomes more than 500,000 visitors annually. In 2021 the library launched the Tales of Alhambra Mobile Library, an outreach bookmobile that brings collections directly to city parks and schools.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Library tradition since 1900 in Alhambra; current building opened 2008
- 45,000 sq ft civic library welcoming 500,000+ visitors annually
- Collection of 200,000+ items in English, Spanish, Chinese & Vietnamese
- Tales of Alhambra Mobile Library (launched 2021) serving parks & schools
- Passport acceptance facility — apply for a U.S. passport on-site
- Chromebook & mobile hotspot checkout for cardholders
- Friends Book Store inside the library
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Your free Alhambra library card unlocks eBooks, digital audiobooks, magazines, and newspapers online — anytime, anywhere.
📚 Services
- Library card (free)
- Circulating books, audiobooks, DVDs & CDs
- Multilingual collection (English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese)
- Libby / hoopla / PressReader digital lending
- Passport acceptance services
- Study room reservations
- Chromebook & mobile hotspot checkout
- Computer & printing access
- Fax services
- Tales of Alhambra Mobile Library outreach
- Friends Book Store
🎸 Programs
- Children's story time & kids' events
- Teen programming & college/career resources
- Adult events & technology training
- Older adult programming
- Clothing repair clinics
- Tales of Alhambra Mobile Library (parks & schools outreach)
📍 Nearby Libraries in Los Angeles County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in ALHAMBRA · Browse all California libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the history of the Alhambra Library building?
Alhambra's library dates to 1900, with the City Council formally authorizing it in 1906. A Classical Revival building by architect Frederick L. Roehrig opened in 1915 but was demolished in 1988 after earthquake damage from the 1987 Whittier Narrows event. The current 45,000-square-foot library at 101 S. First Street opened in 2008 and serves the community in four languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese.
Can I apply for a U.S. passport at the Alhambra Library?
Yes. The Alhambra Library is a passport acceptance facility. You can submit a new passport application or renewal in person. Call (626) 570-5008 or visit alhambralibrary.org for current appointment availability and the list of required documents.
What is the Tales of Alhambra Mobile Library?
Launched in 2021, the Tales of Alhambra Mobile Library is an outreach bookmobile that brings library collections, story time, and resources directly to city parks and schools. It extends library service to residents who may not be able to visit the Main Library in person.
Does the Alhambra Library lend Chromebooks and Wi-Fi hotspots?
Yes. Cardholders can check out Chromebooks and mobile Wi-Fi hotspots from the library. Contact the library at (626) 570-5008 for current loan periods and availability.
📚 This library has study rooms. See how library study rooms work — booking, time limits and quiet vs group rooms — and find other libraries with study rooms libraries with study rooms by state.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
🛂 This library offers U.S. passport services. See how library passport acceptance works — requirements, fees and appointments — and find other passport acceptance libraries by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
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