Commissioners OK Plans for Library

After color schemes were double-checked and tree types scrutinized, the city Board of Library commissioners voted Thursday to tentatively accept the architectural plans for a new 10,500-square-foot facility in Studio City.

Construction of the $3.5-million library is set to begin by the middle of next year. The current library at Moorpark Street and Whitsett Avenue will be demolished and replaced by the new one.

About 20 residents and library employees were on hand at Thursday’s meeting to view the design of the project, which will have a sleek, curved green roof over a light beige base.

The edges of the property will be lined with elms and the 38-space parking lot will be dotted with large live oaks.

The parking lot will be surrounded by a low stone wall, with an entrance and exit on Moorpark.

“It looks beautiful,” said Olivia Cueva-Fernandez, vice president of the commission.

Inside, the library will be full of soft beiges and oranges with noise-absorbent walls and carpeting. The carpet in the children’s room will be pink with blue butterflies.

“We always try and pick something a little fun for the kids,” said Robert Lomelin of the city’s architectural division.

Thursday’s meeting was the second of three steps in the commission’s plan approval process.

The next meeting, at which the commission will take final vote on the plans, will be held at 1 p.m. Dec. 4 at the downtown Central Library, 630 W. 5th St.

Studio City is the ninth-busiest in the city’s library system of 67 branches and four bookmobiles.