Alhambra City Park launches 24-hour -self-service library- and lockers

In a recent announcement, the city of Alhambra, known for its vibrant Chinese community in Los Angeles County, unveiled two innovative resources aimed at enhancing public access to educational and recreational activities in its parks: a “Vending Library” and a “Locker of Things.”

Councilmember Adele Andrade-Stadler was on hand to express her gratitude to California Assemblymember Mike Fong for his support of this initiative. “These new amenities mark a significant step forward for our community in accessing educational and entertainment resources,” Andrade-Stadler stated. “We’re providing round-the-clock services that help families connect and learn together.”

The city government shared that the newly launched Vending Library at Emery Park, located at 2709 Mimosa Street, is not your typical vending machine. Instead of snacks or beverages, it is stocked with over 200 books available for residents to borrow and return at their convenience. Positioned right outside the Eugene Colletta Memorial Emery Park Youth Center, this all-hours resource is designed to cater to those who may not have the time to visit a traditional library.

The selection features a diverse range of books in multiple languages, catering to readers of all ages. In addition to the Vending Library, the installation includes a Locker of Things with five compartments, where community members can securely store books and other items. The lockers are filled with family-friendly games like UNO, Spoons, and Candy Land, perfect for gatherings and available for people to rent at any time to share with friends and family.

“And we must thank Assemblymember Mike Fong for his support in securing funding for this project,” Andrade-Stadler added. “This is an investment in the future of our community.”