Library Design Plans are Unveiled at City Council Meeting

BY BILL KOENEKER

Conceptual plans were unveiled to the Malibu City Council last week for a design makeover of the Malibu Library.
Impressed by the design elements outlined, the council unanimously approved a contract with the design firm, LPA, Inc., for construction plans.
LPA, Inc. spokesperson Rick Damato told council members about how the Malibu Library story would be told with a design background using the elements of sun, sand and water to help tell the story of Malibu throughout the library.
The consultant explained how the large open spaces currently in the library would be broken up into defined spaces such as a teen library, expanded children’s library and doubling the size of the community room.
The ceiling currently a panel of fluorescent lights, would be broken up and natural light would be added in places
The entry would mimic the Adamson House and there would be what is called a Heritage Wall with a timeline of the history of Malibu.
Different themes throughout the library would reflect the different aspects of Malibu, according to the consultant, who said the teen library would contain hanging surfboards, while the community room would remind folks of the equestrian era of Malibu.
The southern glass wall would open up to a new outdoor space using a folding material.
The outdoor space would have a small stage for productions, trees and landscaping so that a patron could read a book under a tree.
The total cost of the many design elements, including a new outdoor wall surface, would amount to a little more than $5 million.
A shortfall of less than a half million dollars would be filled by fundraising by the city.
Most of the money comes from property taxes that council members found were not charged to the Malibu Library. City and county officials are still working out the details of how patrons can continue to have library service during construction.