Panel OKs Site for New Library Branch

The Board of Library Commissioners on Thursday approved the site for a new Los Angeles Public Library branch in Canoga Park, officials said.

The panel voted 4 to 0 to build a 12,500-square-foot facility on four adjacent lots in the 20000 block of Sherman Way, library officials said. Commissioner David Lehrer was absent.

Thursday’s vote clears the way for library officials to begin property appraisals and environmental impact studies, said Juliana Cheng, principal librarian for branch library construction projects.

If the property is found environmentally sound and affordable, Cheng said officials will begin negotiations with owners of the four parcels--from 20937 through 20955 Sherman Way between Independence and Loma Verde avenues.

The property totals 37,011 square feet, Cheng said. A used-car lot is now operating at the site.

Plans call for the new library to replace an existing facility at 7260 Owensmouth Ave.

At 6,000 square feet, the current facility is about half the size of the planned library and lacks adequate electrical outlets or data ports to support computers and Internet access. Cheng said the new branch will include meeting rooms and computers.

The old library would be returned to the city for possible use as a community center, she said.

Constructions costs for the new branch will be paid by Proposition DD bond money, Cheng said. After a two-year campaign by library officials to drum up support for library improvement funds, voters passed the $178.3-million bond in November 1998 to build four branches and remodel or renovate 28 others.

Canoga Park and Chatsworth are the two Valley branches being rebuilt on new sites. New facilities are being built on existing sites at the Encino/Tarzana, Northridge, Pacoima, Sun Valley, Sylmar and Woodland Hills branches.

Studio City is also getting a new library, but it is being financed with construction funds from a 1989 bond, Cheng said.