MISSION VIEJO : Meeting Scheduled on Library Study

The City Council will hold a special meeting Wednesday to look at a city-commissioned library study and discuss ways to speed construction of a new facility.

The meeting was set after council members heard a preliminary report from a city-hired consultant that confirmed what city officials have been saying for years--that the 9,000-square-foot library is grossly undersized.

“This facility is too small to accommodate adult and child programs,” said consultant Barbara Pearson, who runs the El Segundo municipal library. “There are no staff offices . . . it cannot accommodate modern technology.”

Council members were particularly disturbed to hear that the city library held less than 50 children’s reading programs and no adult events last year because the building lacks room. Pearson said other city libraries normally hold more than 300 programs annually for children and adults.

“You’ve proven what we’ve known for years, that our library is woefully inadequate,” said Councilman Robert D. Breton.

Councilwoman Sharon Cody, a nine-year resident of Mission Viejo and a member of the city library committee, said she had been used to the library’s cramped quarters until she visited other city libraries recently.

“I’m really embarrassed,” she said. “I’ve grown to learn that there are no books available in our library.”

Pearson’s full report is expected to be ready on Friday.