Since Aug. 24, the book clubs, quilting groups and story times that used to meet at Velma Teague Library have been meeting at the Glendale Civic Center Annex instead. The Annex is a short walk from Murphy Park, at 5752 W. Glenn Dr. Community Services Director Kimberly Hall told The Glendale Star that some people coming to those programs had never used a Glendale library before. "We've had patrons say, 'Oh my gosh, we're so glad you picked this location,'" Hall said.
That detail says a lot about the stopgap. The Annex is being set up with less room for books than the building it replaces and more room for people. It also looks set to stay downtown's library for a long time. The Glendale Independent reported after a Sept. 8 City Council workshop that the Annex looks like it will be home "well into 2027."
Why the Branch Left Murphy Park
The original library closed after an electrical fire in July 2026. At the City Council's Aug. 11 workshop, staff said restoring the building would mean replacing the wiring inside it and doing an asbestos survey and abatement. They put that work at about $2 million and roughly six to 12 months. The same presentation listed a separate $5 million estimate for the building's other needs: HVAC, exterior electrical equipment, low voltage, ceiling tiles, fire and burglar alarms, plumbing and roofing. Staff recommended moving the branch temporarily to another downtown location.
ABC15 reported in September that known asbestos in the building has limited access for investigators and crews, and that the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
According to Hall in the Star, the city started looking for a temporary site within 30 days of the fire. It kept the branch downtown on purpose. "It's walkable," Hall said. "There's lots of other businesses and homes around that particular area."
A Smaller Library With More Meeting Space
The plan for the Annex trades shelf space for meeting space. Here's how the two buildings compare, based on what the city has described:
| Velma Teague Library, Murphy Park | Civic Center Annex, 5752 W. Glenn Dr. | |
|---|---|---|
| Approximate size | 15,500 sq ft | 10,000 sq ft |
| Programming space | One smaller room | Both small and large rooms |
| Book collection | Full branch collection | Smaller, with holds from other Glendale libraries delivered by courier |
| Public computers | Not included here | About 12, for children, teens and adults |
| Days open once full service begins | Not included here | Seven days a week, per the city |
"The library itself will be a little smaller, but we're going to make the best of our space," Hall told the Star. She said the Annex's layout could make room for more programming, with five to seven programs a week planned once the branch is fully running.
Holds are meant to make up for the smaller collection. ABC15 reported that items requested from other city libraries can usually be delivered within 48 hours. The Annex is also a relatively updated building. The Glendale Independent reported that crews renovated its electrical system and roof within the last five years.
Programs at the Annex Through Mid-December
So far the Annex has been running as a program space while it's prepared for books and computers. In its Sept. 11 notice, the library said it's working to make the Annex a temporary full-service location before the end of the year. The Glendale Star reported the city's target as no later than Dec. 1. Before the Annex can fully open, the city needs new HVAC air-handling equipment delivered and installed, the cubicles cleared out, and technology and books brought in from other Glendale branches.
The programs are already running. On the library's online calendar, they're listed under "Velma Teague Library Temporary Location," which is the filter to use if you only want what's happening downtown. Here's what's scheduled from now through mid-December:
- No-Sew Fabric Pumpkins. Thursday, Nov. 19, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Arts and Crafts Corner: Create an Adorable Owl with Iris Paper Folding. Saturday, Nov. 21, 1 to 3 p.m.
- Velma's Clues Cozy Mystery Book Club, discussing "Bootlegger's Daughter" by Margaret Maron. Monday, Nov. 23, 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.
- All-Ages Craft Day: Wooden Christmas Ornaments. Sunday, Dec. 6, 2 to 3:30 p.m.
- Charley Harper Cardinals. Thursday, Dec. 10, 6 to 7 p.m.
- Snowman Candy Jar. Saturday, Dec. 12, 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Most of these are craft programs on weeknight evenings and weekend afternoons, the kind of programming the Annex's larger rooms can handle. The book club keeps the branch's name in its title.
Getting There
The Annex is around the corner from the old library, but there are a few things to know before you go:
- Use the west-side entrance. The library is asking visitors to use the Annex's west-side entrance while HVAC repairs continue.
- Take the GUS. The free Glendale Urban Shuttle serves the Annex, and parking is available nearby.
- Go to Main for books and computers until the Annex opens fully. The Main Library at 5959 W. Brown St. is about three miles north on 59th Avenue, and the GUS can take you there from downtown.
- Sign up for the Library Insider. The library says it will post updates on the Annex on its website and in its Library Insider newsletter.
The Decision Waiting at Murphy Park
The Annex's run as the branch lasts as long as it takes the city to decide what happens to the building it replaced. KJZZ reported that it was first established at the Murphy Park site, at 58th and Glendale avenues, in 1917. The current building opened in 1971. It's named for Velma Teague, who became head librarian on June 1, 1935, and served until her death in 1969. ABC15 reported that she fought to keep the grassy, tree-lined park around the library from being paved for parking, and that she didn't want the building named after her but eventually agreed.
This isn't the first time the building's future has been up for debate. In October 2024, KJZZ reported that the city was considering tearing down the building and moving the library. A design study update to the council said the building was "nearing the end of its useful life," and hundreds of people had signed a petition to keep it. ABC15 reported that the petition grew to thousands of signatures and kept the library open, at least for the time being. One of the people who helped lead it, Rory Goree, is set to join the City Council in December. "Whatever we do, it's got to be from the people," Goree told ABC15.
Staff's August recommendation covered only the temporary move. It did not choose between repairing and replacing the Murphy Park building. The Glendale Star reported that longer-term talks about the building could take place in the new year. Until then, the downtown library is at 5752 W. Glenn Dr., where six programs are on the calendar between Nov. 19 and Dec. 12 and a smaller collection is planned to arrive before the end of the year.
If you live near Murphy Park and want to know how the library's plans and other downtown changes could affect your home's value, Logan Lewis keeps track of downtown Glendale and can walk you through it. Get Your Free Home Valuation.
