A lighthouse popping up through the ceiling of the Malibu Library was one of many ideas proposed last week at a public meeting held to discuss the design plan of the library’s $3.6 million renovation.
The meeting was the second in a series intended to garner public input. The next one is slated to take place Sept. 24.
Expected to reach completion by summer 2011, the Malibu Library Renovation Project will be financed by Los Angeles County through funds set aside from property taxes intended for library services, which total $3.6 million. The project is the result of an uproar that took place in 2004 when Councilmember Pamela Conley Ulich discovered that nearly a half million dollars Malibu had been paying in property taxes per year was not being spent on services within the city, but was going to other areas of the county’s library system.
Meeting attendees included city residents, Malibu Library staff, city council members Pamela Conley Ulich and Sharon Barovsky, the city’s Administrative Services Director Reva Feldman, L.A. County Librarian Margaret Todd and the county’s Library Consultant Linda Demmers, all of whom applauded the initial design plans presented by Richard D’Amato, principal architect of LPA, Inc., the architectural consultant firm hired last month by the city to perform the renovation.
The proposed design plan for Malibu Library would retain its existing side entrance and enlarge its community room to fit 100 people. Added amenities include a kitchen, storage room, a copy/will call area, three self-checkout stations, a staff break room, a family restroom and a Friend of the Malibu Library bookstore.
Attendees were particularly excited about the addition of an outdoor event garden with a raised stage, which could be used for concerts and leased for private use during library off hours. The Pacific Ocean-themed garden would face Legacy Park, and contain foam rubber rocks for children to sit on, as well as benches and trees.
D’Amato described the proposed interior redesign as “simple and abstract, but still being able to tell a unique story about Malibu.”
As a whole, the library would echo the storyline of Malibu’s history. It would incorporate elements and old photos of the Adamson House, Malibu tiles, equestrian life, the Malibu Trading Post, Native Americans and the first Malibu families, among other historical elements.
The interior design as a whole will include elements of the sun, sand and water, but will be divided according to age groups so that children and teens have their own sections.
Proposed plans for the children’s section include a lighthouse that could pop up through the library ceiling and light up at night, and decor that would mimic tidepools with illustrations of sea animals.
The teen section focuses on Malibu surf culture, and includes decorative surfboards on the ceiling and the storylines of favorite local hangouts such as The Malibu Inn.
The library’s current exterior will be colorfully remodeled using Trespa, a sustainable material that is also graffiti-proof. The exterior will also contain a protective glass railing and new indigenous plants.
The city is also investigating the possibility of renting a smaller space that would serve as a temporary library during the construction phase.
Aside from minimal changes to its interior design, the 16,530-square-foot library has physically remained unchanged since it was built in 1970. It currently offers an adult reading area; a children’s area; a meeting room with a 125-person capacity; adult and children reference and readers’ advisory; toddler and preschool story times; summer reading programs for older children; a coin-operated copy machine; a word processor; and public access Internet computers.
“We want this library to have character, warmth, a sense of style and history,” D’Amato said.