Library renovations begin June 1, 2010

By: Gracee Arthur

Some of the happiest memories of my childhood are my trips to the public library to pick out my books for the week. Our library was housed in an old beautiful building on the top of a hilly street in a small city in Connecticut. Everything about the library was fascinating from the mountain of books, to the smell of the bindings and the hushed whispers. Okay in 2010 it sounds geeky but I love to read and the library had so many magnificent books! When I went to college the library was the place to do research for papers which were then  typed on those awful little portable manual typewriters (what is a typewriter—look it up at the library). What would life have been like without a library I do not wish to contemplate.

A few weeks ago I stopped by the Malibu Library to donate some books. There was a sign at the desk saying that in a few weeks they would not be accepting any further donations. When I inquired into the reason I was told the library would be closing June 1st for renovations. When I asked where their interim home would be the librarian told me they did not know if they would have one!

Here are some programs the library runs for children to stimulate their interest in reading:

- Story Time for Toddlers /Preschoolers on Tuesdays at 10AM
- Parks Tales at the Bluffs Park on Thurdays for the same age group; create an art project event such as Canadian Eskimo Art part of a series of cultural projects for children grade 1 and higher
- We the people American History series,” America’s Multicultural Music “ on May 20th at 4 PM
- “When the Animals Were People” May 27th at 4PM   and much more.

There are also many summer activities for children.

I was very concerned about the library not knowing its fate during the renovation period so I spoke with Malibu City Councilman Andy Stern, who told me the county had not yet determined where the library would be housed during the renovation period. My question is, with all the unoccupied, over-priced retail space here in Malibu, isn’t there a philanthropist who would like a tax deduction? Isn’t there someone out there who would like to do the Malibu community a good deed and give the library a temporary home during the renovations? The summer without a proper library facility offering  programs for children? It just does not sound right to me.

Please support the Malibu Library and find it an appropriate interim home.

The Friends of the Malibu Library will be hosting a Book Fair April17th from 10 AM to 4 PM, April 18th from 10 AM to 2PM. Prices start at .25 for children’s books and go to $5.00 and up for Special Books. Sunday is Bargain Day *Special Books discounted 50%. 23519 W. Civic Center Way, Malibu  310456-6438

www.colapublib.org

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