Downey City Library
🏢 City of Downey Public Library · Downey, California
Downey City Library
Downey City Library has served this southeast Los Angeles County community since 1958, growing from a small municipal reading room into a full-service research library and selective U.S. Government depository that holds everything from NASA mission records to California state documents.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–8pm |
| Thursday | 10am–8pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 11121 Brookshire Avenue, DOWNEY, CA 90241
Phone: (562) 904-7360
Website: downeylibrary.org
Plus Code: 8553WVRC+2M (DOWNEY, CA)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Downey City Library
Downey City Library opened in 1958 as the public library of Downey, a city in southeast Los Angeles County best known as the birthplace of NASA's Apollo command module. The library joined the Federal Depository Library Program in 1963, making it one of the few municipal libraries in the region where residents can consult official U.S. government publications free of charge. It is also a selective depository for the State of California. Located at 11121 Brookshire Avenue, the library offers an extensive collection of books, films, audiobooks, and digital resources, alongside programs ranging from the annual Beyond The Book community festival to technology workshops, children's storytimes, and adult literacy support. The library operates independently under the City of Downey and is not part of the LA County Library system.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Selective U.S. Government Publishing Office and California State depository — one of few municipal libraries in SE Los Angeles County with this status
- Established in 1958; joined the Federal Depository Library Program in 1963
- 3D printing available through the in-library Workshop using MakerBot Replicator+ printers
- Annual 'Beyond The Book' festival featuring community performers, vendors and literary programming
- Free online catalog at dcl.polarislibrary.com with digital borrowing, holds and account management
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Downey cardholders can stream, read and learn for free through the library's digital collections:
📚 Services
- U.S. Government and California State depository — federal and state publications open to the public
- 3D printing via MakerBot Replicator+ (Workshop — .STL files)
- Public computers, laptops and portable chargers for same-day loan
- Printing, copying and free scanning; mobile printing via Princh app
- Interlibrary loan (ILL) service with partner libraries
- Reference and readers' advisory assistance
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the building
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and youth programs
- Teen programming and services
- Adult literacy and ESL support
- Technology and digital literacy workshops
- Annual Beyond The Book community festival
- Summer reading program
📍 Nearby Libraries in Southeast Los Angeles County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Downey City Library part of the LA County Library system?
No. Downey City Library is an independent municipal library operated by the City of Downey. It is separate from the LA County Library system, so a Downey card works at the Downey branch only, not at LA County branches.
What does it mean that Downey City Library is a government depository?
The library is a selective depository for both the U.S. Government Publishing Office and the State of California. This means it receives and maintains official federal and California publications — from congressional reports to agency studies — that are free for the public to use. Downey joined the Federal Depository Library Program in 1963.
Can I use a 3D printer at the library?
Yes. The library's Workshop has MakerBot Replicator+ 3D printers. Bring your design as an .STL file and staff can help you print it. Contact the library for current Workshop hours and any reservation requirements.
What eBook and streaming options are available with a Downey library card?
Downey cardholders can borrow eBooks and audiobooks through cloudLibrary (160,000+ titles, 21-day loans), stream films and documentaries through Kanopy, read digital newspapers and magazines through PressReader, and take professional courses through LinkedIn Learning — all free.
🔨 This library has a makerspace / 3D printing. See how library makerspaces and 3D printing work and find other libraries with a makerspace makerspaces 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.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
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