Library service in Van Nuys began in 1911, the same year the community was founded. In 1925, voters approved a bond issue that funded the construction of a Spanish-style library at 14555 Sylvan Street. That library was opened to the public in March 1927 and served the community until April 1964.

By 1957, the growth of the Van Nuys community and increasing demand for library services led to plans for expansion. A $6.4 million library bond issue, approved by voters, included funding for a new building. The project aligned with growing community interest in the development of the Van Nuys Civic Center, which at the time had the largest concentration of government workers in the San Fernando Valley.

Construction on the new Van Nuys Civic Center complex began in 1962. It included the County Administrative building, the County Health Department, the Van Nuys Police Administrative building, the County Court building, with its branch of the county law library, the Van Nuys City Hall, the Federal Building and branch Post Office, and a combined City/State Building.

The new Van Nuys Branch Library opened on May 11, 1964. It was the 27th completed project—and the 15th and final project in the San Fernando Valley— under the 1957 bond issue program, which authorized 28 projects.

In addition to housing one of the busiest branches in the Valley, the building also became headquarters for the Los Angeles Public Library's bookmobile service. Known as the Traveling Branch, these "libraries on wheels" brought books to outlying areas of the San Fernando Valley not served by community libraries, circulating nearly 250,000 volumes annually.

The branch closed from March to October 1996 for renovation. Public areas were completely updated, including new air conditioning, carpeting, paint, circulation and reference desks, and a modern phone system. The bookmobile relocated, and its former space was converted into a multi-purpose room. The branch was also brought into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and transformed into a “virtual electronic” library, featuring computer workstations that link to Central Library resources and a vast array of databases.

The renovation was funded by Proposition 1, the 1989 bond issue for branch libraries.

In October 2021, the branch unveiled a redesigned space and upgraded technology to enhance the library experience. The renovation included new check-out and information areas, providing a convenient single point of service, a new Young Adult reading and study area, as well as upgraded reading and children’s areas, new shelving, flooring, lighting, and restrooms. Technology upgrades featured more self-service options, a tech kiosk, a public printer, and a high-resolution scanner.

The $1.9-million renovation project was funded by the Los Angeles Public Library and completed by the City’s Department of General Services and Bureau of Engineering, with designs by City architects.

Photographs from the Los Angeles Public Library Security Pacific National Bank Historic Photograph Collection.