The little library on the median of Entrada and Ocean Avenue Extension. Photos: Courtesy of Judi Jensen

By Laurel Busby

News & Information Editor

About 15 years ago, Canyon resident Nicholas Korody was home for the summer from Vassar University, where he was majoring in urban studies.

His parents had recently rebuilt their gate and the old gate’s wood was still in the yard. On a whim, he decided to build something that might benefit the community.

“I was very interested in ‘interventionary urbanism,’ e.g. small ad hoc gestures that can help facilitate an improved sense of community,” said Korody, who was mentored by Tobias Armborst, an architect who advanced this idea, and Giovanni Borradori, a philosopher who encouraged informal explorations. “So basically, steeped in this thinking, I found myself back home with time on my hands and an excess of lumber in the yard so I figured why not?”

The scraps of wood, including extra pieces he found around the Canyon, determined what he was able to make, which included some benches, a table with an agave plant, and the library, which is the only piece that still exists.

He bought sheet metal for the library’s roof and casters so he could roll it. Then, in the middle of the night, he wheeled the library from East Rustic to the median at Entrada and Ocean Avenue Extension.

Soon afterwards, Canyon resident Judi Jensen, a 1985 graduate of UCLA with a B.A. in English literature, spied Korody’s creation.

The library is still standing after last year’s Palisades Fire

“When I saw the funny looking little library building down the street from my house, I knew right away that someone had to take care of it,” Jensen said in an email. “If not, I knew it would turn into a pile of junk…. . I thought, ‘What did I go to school for but to be a librarian!’ So I started taking care of it.”

At first, Jensen visited the library twice a day to clean up, although currently, she visits once a day with her dogs. People regularly leave the structure in disarray, either by pulling books off the shelves or sometimes even dropping bags of trash, which can be disheartening for Jensen.

“Numerous times, transients have tried to do damage to the library, but neighbors have always helped,” Jensen said. “Definitely couldn't make it without the wonderful neighbors.”

Jensen has at times requested donations for the library from the Boca Neighborhood Association. Canyon Square owner Frank Langen sent his handyman to do some repairs a couple of years ago after someone pushed it into the street, where it was damaged. Another library visitor, Kiley Piercy, has also done maintenance on the library’s structure.

The library after it was pushed onto the street

For any of these repairs, Jensen ensures that the library keeps its original flavor.

“We always want to retain the look of our Free Library: old and funny looking,” Jensen said.

The legal status of the structure is murky. Once, years ago. a city employee put tape on it and left a business card, but Jensen cleared those away. No city employee ever came again.

But each day, residents stop by the library to check out some books or drop off titles to share with neighbors. Not every resident is a fan, but many treasure it.

“I have met the most incredible people who love the library and use it all the time,” Jensen said. “It helps me immensely to know that there are so many people from all over our area who absolutely care so much about our little library. Their love keeps me going, and I think about that every day when I am straightening up.”

History Corner: A Tale of a Little Library

Trash Cans Return