The Westwood Community Library is far more than just a place to borrow books. Located at 500 Birch St., Westwood, California, this historic library serves as a vital meeting place for community organizations and offers enriching programs for children. Housed in a vintage building originally constructed in 1913 as a bunkhouse for local schoolteachers during the town’s lumber boom era, the library reflects Westwood’s deep historical roots and strong spirit of volunteerism.
Volunteers like Laurel Paulson-Pierce, Pat Costa, and Linda Rubio are the heart and soul of the library. Paulson-Pierce, a longtime community volunteer and former firefighter displaced by the 2018 Camp Fire, manages Wednesday morning shifts and oversees the library’s Facebook page and operations. Despite limited funding and operating on a shoestring budget, the team has modernized the library with computers, internet access (provided free by Wisprenn), and printing capabilities. The library building is owned and maintained by Lassen County, which covers utilities, though county funding for libraries ceased in 1992, prompting volunteers to step in and keep the library alive.
Saturdays are dedicated to children’s programs led by retired schoolteacher Pat Costa and soon-to-retire Head Start educator Linda Rubio. Their Kid’s Story and Craft Time sessions foster a love of reading and creativity among local youngsters. Costa, with over five decades of teaching experience in Westwood, champions reading real books over screen time, while Rubio brings her passion and expertise in early childhood education. The sessions run smoothly and have become a cherished part of the community’s weekly routine.
Despite lacking an accredited librarian, the Westwood Community Library thrives thanks to dedicated volunteers who contribute hundreds of hours annually. The library is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon, offering a welcoming space to borrow books, participate in programs, and connect with neighbors.
The Westwood Community Library stands as a testament to the power of volunteerism and community spirit, preserving local history while enriching lives today.
