For twenty years, residents in the Pico neighborhood of Santa Monica have wanted a branch library. This neighborhood was bifurcated when Interstate-10 was built and feelings of resentment lingered. Advocacy paved the way, community visioning meetings took place and the Virginia Avenue Park location was selected. Thirty-two percent of neighborhood residents are Latino and requested bilingual Spanish and English services. For the first time, SMPL created four new permanent full-time library positions that required Spanish/English fluency, thus reimagining hiring practices based on community need. SMPL takes a collaborative approach with parks staff by integrating feedback from across the park campus. In addition, at the community’s request, the library worked for the first time with schools and neighborhood groups to hire local high school students.

Several meetings were held with residents to envision the branch, including facility features, program and services, use of space, and location. The new branch increased staff capacity (eight new positions) and helped us modify hiring practices by creating four full-time positions requiring Spanish/English fluency and hiring high school students. VAP Park is home to a community center offering a variety of programs including a splash pad and farmer’s market. The Pico Branch was the final puzzle piece that turned the park into a true-full service campus by providing facility, programs and services to meet and enhance bilingual Spanish and English youth and adult educational needs.

Pico Branch has become a significant marker in Santa Monica’s history and a point of pride for all residents, especially those residing in the Pico neighborhood. Since the branch opened, 127,000 people have visited Pico, 100,000+ items have been borrowed, 1,300+ new people have registered for a library card and over 200 youth and adult programs have been offered to 4,200 individuals. Residents understand that the branch library grew from their own advocacy so there is a strong sense of ownership and pride and there is also recognition that SMPL is authentically trying to meet the neighborhood’s needs. The successful VAP/Pico Library partnership has also strengthened the overall relationship between parks and recreation and the libraries and has led to other collaborations.