The Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library has become a beloved community space for North Long Beach — and this weekend, the library celebrated its 10th anniversary.
Dozens of community members of all ages enjoyed an afternoon of reading, creativity, storytelling, dancing, music and more on Saturday, Sept. 12.
“The legacy of this library, it’s not about books, it’s not about the building,” Mayor Rex Richardson said during the celebration. “It’s always been about the community. It’s always been about the people. This building has represented the high expectations for our community to have a space that is respectful and dignified, a place we can be proud of.”
Guests enjoyed special story times and performances, participated in hands-on activities, created commemorative items and celebrated a decade of the library serving as a welcoming space for learning, connection and discovery. People also checked out books and signed up for library cards.
“Today, we are celebrating more than just an anniversary of a building,” Ninth District Councilmember Joni Ricks-Oddie said. “We are celebrating 10 years of learning, creativity, opportunity, connection and community here in North Long Beach, and the impact of this library extends far beyond just the walls of this library.”
The council member also recognized the library staff, who have brought the library to life and invested in it, and continue to make it a welcoming place for the community.
Long Beach celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Families looked through books provided by the Friends of the Long Beach Public Library at the 10th anniversary celebration for the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Children using the computers in the children’s area of the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library during the 10th anniversary celebration on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Ninth District Councilmember Joni Ricks-Oddie at the 10th anniversary celebration for the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library staff handed out free tote bags and bookmarks to attendees at the 10th anniversary celebration for the North Long Beach library on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Mayor Rex Richardson at the 10th anniversary celebration for the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Arlene Gale, vice president of Friends of the Long Beach Public Library, at the 10th anniversary celebration for the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
John Mathews II, president of the Long Beach Public Library Foundation, and his daughter, Natalia, at the 10th anniversary celebration for the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Long Beach celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Cathy De Leon, director of the Department of Library, Arts and Culture, at the 10th anniversary celebration for the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Long Beach celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Long Beach community members checked out books and signed up for library cards at the 10th anniversary celebration for the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Community organizations had resource booths at the10th anniversary celebration of the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library staff handed out free tote bags and bookmarks to attendees at the 10th anniversary celebration for the North Long Beach library on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Long Beach celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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Long Beach celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Since opening its doors in 2016, the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library has provided residents with access to books, technology, educational resources, cultural programming, creative opportunities and community services, city officials said. The 24,000 square-foot library features a children’s area, teen space, community meeting rooms, study areas, and spaces designed to support lifelong learning and community connection.
During the celebration, John Mathews II, president of the Long Beach Public Library Foundation, and Arlene Gale, vice president of the Friends of the Long Beach Public Library, also shared their congratulations to the library and its community. Both said their organizations would continue supporting the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library, as well as the other 11 branches in Long Beach’s library system. There was also a special visit from California State Librarian Greg Lucas.
“These past few weeks have been challenging, but it’s days like today that remind me why we do what we do, and why libraries mean so much to our community,” said Cathy De Leon, director of the Department of Library, Arts and Culture. “Today we celebrate this beautiful library, aptly named after this beautiful, legendary figure, Michelle Obama, because both the building and the person represent what we need most right now, and that’s hope-hope for a better future for ourselves and our loved ones, hope that our world can be healed, hope that we can better ourselves and lift up those around us.”