SEAL BEACH : City Studies Whether to Buy County Library

City officials are considering whether to purchase the soon-to-be-closed county library at Leisure World as the retirement community’s governing board prepares for a June 20 auction of the property.

The 22-year-old library is one of six county branches planned for closure by July. Leisure World’s governing Golden Rain Foundation made a written offer on the property for an undisclosed amount on April 14, but county officials decided the library must be sold at auction.

Seal Beach has a legal right to purchase the facility, according to Mayor George Brown, a Leisure World resident leading the attempt to buy the library. But after years of city budget cuts and staff reductions, Brown said it’s unlikely the city will buy the library.

“We don’t think the city wants to buy it, but they do have the option,” Brown said. “The city still has to decide.”

Brown says closure of the library would be a hardship for many among Leisure World’s 8,700 residents who are not able to travel longer distances for library services. The library is located next to the retirement community on land once owned by Leisure World. About 98% of its patrons are Leisure World residents.

“There are no other options for many of our residents,” Brown said. “It’s a real necessity.”

Brown said he knows of no other bidders for the property and is confident the Golden Rain Foundation will be successful in buying the library. But the county is not selling the books with the building, which will force Leisure World to make an additional expenditure in order to keep the library intact.