THOUSAND OAKS : Council Will Review Library Repair Plan

The books, magazines and videos are all there, but the Thousand Oaks Library still doesn’t look normal. And readers, while patient, are eager to see the building repaired.

On Tuesday, City Council members will review a plan for completing work on the quake-damaged library, which needs a new ceiling, a new lighting system and a new community meeting room.

The schedule calls for repair work to begin on the roof, which had leaked for years even before the earthquake rattled the building. The city recently received $1.28 million from the architect and contractors who built the roof, as part of a legal settlement. With the money in hand, work should begin by early August.

Once a solid, drip-proof roof is installed, workers can begin installing the new interior ceiling, lights and carpet. That stage of the project should begin in November, project manager Ed Johnduff said.

City officials estimate the total repair tab at $2 million, which will be funded through federal aid and private insurance money.

Although most of the library will remain open during the roof work, the interior repairs will require a two- to four-week closure late this year or early next year.