MISSION VIEJO : Consultant to Study 4 Sites for Library

After narrowing the potential sites for a new public library, the city will turn to a consultant to recommend the best location.

The architectural firm of Anthony & Langford of Huntington Beach was appointed by City Manager Fred Sorsabal Monday to evaluate four sites and rank them for the city.

The current library was built in the early 1970s, when this planned community of 75,000 had about 30,000 residents. Today, the library is overcrowded and in need of more room for its books, city officials say.

“By any standards you apply, our library is inadequate to even serve 45,000 people,” said Sherrie Butterfield, a city planning commissioner who serves on the library committee.

Despite the library’s size, the Mission Viejo Library’s circulation is the fourth-largest in the county, Butterfield said.

Results will be given to the city’s library committee, which includes Councilman Robert D. Breton, Butterfield and residents Luise Landers, Marcia Lewis and Alice Trainor. The group is being advised by several county library officials. The library is a branch of the Orange County Public Library.

The four sites under consideration include the current location of the Mission Viejo Library on Chrisanta Road; the southeast corner of La Paz Road and Marguerite Parkway; the northwest corner of Estanciero and Marguerite Parkway; and an open lot in the Mission Viejo Community Park off La Paz Road.

The study is expected to cost less than $10,000 and is being financed with county funds, city officials said. Work is expected to be completed within 45 days.