NORTH HOLLYWOOD : Branch Library Reopens After Quake Repairs

The Valley Plaza branch library in North Hollywood was the lucky 13th of the 16 San Fernando Valley libraries to be put back into service after $70,000 in quake repairs and improvements.

On Monday, Valley Plaza officially reopened with new ceiling lights, carpeting, interior paint and increased electrical capacity.

“It’s really fulfilling to know that the children have a place to come and study or read again,” said Irene Galvan, senior librarian at Valley Plaza.

“It’s really a benefit to all aspects of the community,” Galvan said. She and her staff spent a month sorting through 40,000 volumes of books, around 10,000 of which are no longer usable. Galvan also said that part of the ceiling caved in and several computers were damaged.

Over 50 people were present for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, but Galvan expressed concern that no one knows that the library has reopened.

Service hours are Mondays and Tuesdays, 12:30 to 8 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays, 12:30 to 5 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The remaining branch libraries in the Valley that have yet to reopen are Granada Hills, Woodland Hills and North Hollywood Regional. Robert Reagan, spokesman for the Los Angeles Public Library, said that the libraries each sustained at least $200,000 in damage but are all scheduled to open by the end of this month.