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Brand Library & Art Center
The Art and Music Section of the Glendale Public Library
(818) 548-2051 / www.brandlibrary.org

The Library is housed in a mansion built in 1904. A large gallery and music complex was added in 1969. Located in Brand Park, high in the foothills overlooking Glendale and the San Fernando Valley, the Library serves an ever-widening public interested in the arts.

The original mansion was built by Leslie C. Brand and named El Miradero (“Grandview”). The design is similar to the East Indian Pavilion built for the 1893 Columbian World Exposition held in Chicago and visited by Mr. Brand. The architecture is considered Saracenic, with crenelated arches, bulbous domes and minars combining characteristics of Spanish, Moorish and Indian styles. In contrast to the elegant, cool white exterior, a Victorian décor was followed inside. In addition to bedrooms, there was a parlor, drawing room, dining room, solarium and music salon-cum-library. Many fine woods were used and the windows contained Tiffany zinced glass. The wall coverings were silk damask.

Mr. Brand died in the house in 1925. He bequeathed El Miradero to the City, although Mrs. Brand retained rights of residence. The will provided that the property should be used  exclusively for a public park and library. Mrs. Brand died in 1945, and by 1956 the mansion had been converted into Brand Library. Ten years later, in response to the need for larger quarters to serve the growing interest of the community, the City Council allocated funds to construct an addition to Brand Library that would include facilities for art exhibitions, lectures and concerts, as well as art and craft studios. The new addition was dedicated in October 1969.

Entrance to all Library service is through the original front doors of the Brand residence. The gallery, concert hall and other public areas are reached through a center court and lobby, with outside access doors opened only for special activities. A separate entry at street level leads to the studios, operated under the direction of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department.

THE LIBRARY COLLECTION includes works on history, theory, criticism and techniques, specialized encyclopedias, dictionaries, indexes and other guides to art and music literature—a total of more than one hundred thousand volumes. A collection of print reproductions is available to provide study aids as well as home decoration. Art and music journals and  specialized reference materials are available for use in the Library. Items available for loan include books, exhibition catalogs, phonograph records, compact discs, librettos, sheet music, scores, 35 mm colored slides, art and music videos and art prints. A photocopy machine is available for copying of materials not restricted by copyright.

Hours: Tue/Thu 12 – 8 PM; Wed 12 – 6 PM; Fri/Sat 10 AM – 5 PM