CALABASAS : City Weighs Funds for New Library
Calabasas officials are considering spending about $1.2 million to help build a regional library in Agoura Hills that would serve both communities.
The 25,000-square-foot facility would be built on donated land in Agoura Hills and be stocked and staffed by Los Angeles County after construction. Agoura Hills would pay about 80% of the estimated $5.8 million in construction costs--money the city had already planned to spend to build a 21,500-square-foot facility.
If Calabasas signs off on the plan, suggested last week by officials from Agoura Hills and the county, it would provide enough money to build the larger library. Calabasas’ share of the construction costs was determined by measuring the percentage of its residents who use the existing Las Virgenes Library.
Calabasas City Council members generally supported the idea of a regional library, but were concerned about assuming so much debt. Annual payments would amount to about $130,000, City Manager Charles Cate said. Council members also wanted assurances that their existing county library service--a satellite facility in City Hall and a bookmobile--would not be reduced.
The council is expected to discuss the matter at its meeting Wednesday.
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