HUNTINGTON BEACH : Children’s Wing of Library Underway

After three years of intensive planning and debate, construction began Monday on the Huntington Central Library expansion.

The $8.6-million project, which the council approved last month following months of discussion, is expected to take 18 months to complete.

The 15,000-square-foot expansion will create a children’s wing that will be the largest for a public library in the state and the second largest in the nation. It will also include a 320-seat theater that will serve as the permanent home of the Huntington Beach Playhouse, an expanded computer and media center, five meeting rooms and space for 80,000 additional books.

The library parking lot is also being expanded to accommodate the additional patrons expected to be drawn to the improved facility. Talbert Avenue--which now runs in front of the library between Golden West and Gothard streets--will be eliminated to make room for the parking lot.

Council members have been divided over the library expansion because they have not yet determined how to pay for it. Opponents said building the wing is too risky in the midst of a recession, but members of the council majority contended that the project is too important to delay and said they are confident that a sound financing plan can be devised when the project is finished.