By ELAINE KALIN and MARY ROSE MUELLER
It’s hard to miss the beautiful building at the corner of Washington and Front Streets that houses the Mission Hills – Hillcrest/Knox Branch Library. But the origin of a Mission Hills community library started in one room of the Ulysses S. Grant Elementary School in 1921. Later moves relocated the branch library, eventually to the building at Washington and Hawk Streets.
Despite its small size, the Mission Hills Branch Library provided many programs and activities for the community, both for children and adults. Finally, after more than 50 years, the new facility opened in 2019 as the Mission Hills – Hillcrest/Knox Branch Library, located at 215 W. Washington Street.
In 1983, a group of Mission Hills residents organized “The Friends of the Mission Hills Library,” with a focus on providing books and other materials to supplement the library’s collection and programs. The Friends were staunch advocates for the new facility, helping to secure funding and support. They were part of the planning and design, which includes a bookstore run by Friends volunteers. The bookstore is open on the same days as the library, stocking books and other materials for both children and adults in the store as well as on carts found on the front patio or the library entry. Cash and credit/debit cards are accepted for purchases.
Library staff accept donations of books for adults and children, CDs, DVDs, magazines and puzzles. Donated items not needed by the library are processed by Friends volunteers for possible sale in the Friends bookstore or online to raise funds for the Branch. Working closely with the Branch Manager, these funds are used to buy more books and other materials as well as to provide supplies and snacks for the many ongoing and special event programs offered by the library, such as the monthly concert series, weekly sign language storytime, crafts and makerspace projects.
Renamed the Friends of the Mission Hills – Hillcrest Branch Library, the organization continues to advocate for increased library funding and to promote awareness of the library, its services and special events to the community. Steve Wheeler, Branch Manager, told us “We love the Friends! They donate their time and effort to help the library, staff, and patrons.”
Consider joining the Friends of the Mission Hills – Hillcrest Branch Library to support an organization that advocates for the library, helps expand its resources, and sponsors cultural events such as exhibits, lectures, and programs for both children and adults. Membership starts as low as $5 per year for students and seniors.