The Kern County Library’s Arvin location hosted the reopening of its library after a year-long hiatus. The pause in services was due to needed renovations, and, through the courtesy of California’s Building Forward initiative, the branch was granted $200,000 for those renovations.
Arvin Mayor Olivia Calderon reflected on her own fond memories of the Arvin Library.
“My earliest memories were reading with my mom. Some of my best memories were sitting with her and turning those pages. I know you must have those memories too. I would come to the library with my sisters. It was a secret space where dreams come to life, and the turning of those pages and the whisper of those stories spark curiosity in all of us,” said Calderon.
Arvin’s library building is over 100-years-old, having been constructed in 1914. Only in April 2025 did it begin renovation, adding new flooring, new paint, and new areas for children, teens, and Spanish speakers. According to Rafael Moreno, a Kern County Library administrator, library staff were directly involved in the process of adding texture to the walls before the application of paint.
“That was a whole learning curve because library staff don’t necessarily know about adding texture to walls, so it was a good learning curve. It was fun to do,” said Moreno.
Calderon expressed the endless opportunities the library will now provide to children in the Arvin community.
“We know that this place is going to be where dreams come to life in our children, as they connect with their parents and build confidence when they learn new words. And that they know there are possibilities beyond our neighborhoods, that they can dream really big and bring those dreams to life here when they come back to our community,” said Calderon.
Juan Hernandez-Garcia, a field representative for Assemblywoman Dr. Jasmeet Bains and a former Arvin resident, spoke about his experience growing up in Arvin and what it meant to see the newly renovated library.
“Coming back here brought back a lot of memories because I remember the old library as a kid. It was, in a sense, a safe haven for me because growing up, you’re curious. In these areas, you don’t grow up with phones or laptops. So if you want to learn, you come here. As a young child, you want to know about rabbits and lizards. This is where I would come to learn,” said Hernandez-Garcia.
He added that the investment represents a commitment to the future.
“This is greatly appreciated because the investment is for the future, for our future,” continued Hernandez-Garcia.
Members of the community gathered to commemorate the reopening of Arvin’s library, including attendee Kylie Neuwirth.
“I’m here both supporting the library system and the city of Arvin in general. I think that, especially coming out of COVID over the past couple of years, having a third space where you don’t have to purchase something to be a part of the community is so important now more than ever,” said Neuwirth. “The fact that Arvin’s library branch has been renovated and can return as one of the core community centers in town is just heavily important,” Neuwirth continued.
Arvin ended the event with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, where Mayor Calderon did the honors while singing the theme song from “Reading Rainbow,” a PBS children’s television program from the 1980’s to early 2000’s that featured celebrities reading children’s books.
After a year-long closure, Arvin’s library reopening signals hope, education, and opportunity for residents of all ages, and will continue to provide a service much needed in the community of Arvin.
