Architectural Designs for Library Approved

The Los Angeles Public Library Cultural Affairs Commission gave the final seal of approval Thursday to architectural designs for a new 10,500-square-foot Studio City library.

The city’s architectural division will finalize specifics over the next few months, after which the estimated $3.5-million project will be put out to bid.

The new, state-of-the-art library will replace the current facility at Moorpark Street and Whitsett Avenue. The old library, judged too small and technologically ancient by library officials, will be demolished.

Officials expect the demolition and construction to begin late next year.

“It’s a long process, but we’re getting closer and closer,” said Fontayne Holmes, assistant director of branches for the library system.

The approval from the cultural affairs commission comes one month after the city Board of Library Commissioners gave the go-ahead to architects. The only difference in the new plans approved by the board is an addition of two library signs, one on Whitsett Avenue and one on Moorpark Street, Holmes said.

The rest of the design includes a children’s room, several computer stations with Internet access and noise-absorbing walls. The 38-space parking lot and grounds will be lined with elm and oak trees.

The Studio City facility is the ninth-busiest in the city’s library system of 67 branches and four bookmobiles, according to officials.