Health & Fitness
Updating a Local Treasure: A Library for the 21st Century
The City Council is considering renovating the Beverly Hills Public Library to meet the changing needs of Library patrons.
If given final approval by the City Council, the City will begin renovating the Beverly Hills Public Library early next year. Since it is such a beloved institution and building, I wanted to use my first blog on Patch to explain why we feel this is an important project.
Parents of our youngest library patrons were children themselves the last time the library was renovated. But much more than age is behind the planned $4.7 million project.
Over the past 18 years, library patronage has grown and security needs have changed. The book, video, historical and music collections have expanded beyond our capacity to store and display them.
Find out what's happening in Beverly Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Technology has made startling and unforeseen shifts in how we access and share information. Patrons not only read, but they surf the internet, apply for jobs, research, attend tutoring sessions and do their homework. Libraries are more communal and more important than ever—especially for children and families.
The proposed upgrade will address these changing needs in a variety of ways: Since staffing levels have declined along with the City's budget, certain desks and offices can be removed and utilized for patrons and library materials. Some of the space taken up with long entries and corridors will be reconfigured to add additional seating and space for materials. The new design will bring in natural light. The children's area will be reconfigured to encourage quiet reading and study. A family area will be added and the children's bathrooms will be relocated so that staff will be able to monitor the children more closely.
Find out what's happening in Beverly Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The current facilities are still visually attractive and some residents are understandably reluctant to spend scarce City dollars to upgrade a building that they are fond of. However, the City Council made a decision to move the project forward in order to preserve and enhance a City treasure and continue to offer residents a cultural and communication resource that is still relevant in what we now call the "digital age."
This blog is intended as a means of keeping the community informed about City government. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the views of Beverly Hills Patch.
