Council Approves Library at Mount St. Mary’s Campus

The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the construction of a library on the South Los Angeles campus of Mount St. Mary’s College.

Plans for the two-story, 25,000-square-foot structure have pitted college and city officials against residents.

“I feel ecstatic. It’s been a long process of two years and this is a library that has been needed for more than two years,” said Sister Kathleen Kelly, vice president of the college.

“I think it’s an important decision for the community and it demonstrates what reasonable minds can do when they come together,” said Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, who represents the area.

A group of residents calling themselves the Save Chester Place Coalition oppose the library because they believe the building is too large and does not retain the historic character of Chester Place, which becomes a pedestrian path through the campus.

Jean Frost, a coalition member, said residents use Chester Place to get to Adams Boulevard and USC, and that the college’s plans would narrow the pathway.

In addition, Frost said the plans do not meet national standards for rehabilitating historic areas. “People cherish this community for what this is.” Frost said. “It is a unique residential turn-of-the-century neighborhood.”

There has never been a permanent library building at the campus, which is composed primarily of Victorian houses that have been converted into classrooms, Kelly said.

“[The architecture] will be very much in keeping with the older homes on campus,” Kelly said. Two other structures--an academic support services building and a health lab--also will be built.