Foster Library Plans to Double Its Space

The county has agreed to move its central library administrative offices from the second floor of Ventura’s E.P. Foster Library, allowing the cramped library downstairs to expand to about twice its current size.

“We are very excited about doubling the size of the library,” said Mary Lou Schill, the community services supervisor who acts as the city library liaison. “Along with the enhanced library hours, this is a big step toward fulfilling our vision of libraries that came out of the community planning process last year.”

E.P. Foster is already Ventura’s biggest library, with 16,500 square feet of space. The expansion will double that to 33,000 square feet. Schill said the city would now launch a study to figure out the best use for the new space.

Because the second floor of the building is not strong enough to bear the weight of full-height bookshelves, other options such as shorter stacks for children’s books, lounge areas or meeting rooms are being considered for the sunny upstairs space.

Schill said no consultants had yet been hired to do the study, and no price had been set. She said she expected the study to be completed in about three months.

The Library Advisory Committee met Monday night to get a status report on the expansion.