Library expands before anniversary

In preparation for its 50th anniversary, the Corona del Mar Library will be closed for expansions from Tuesday to July 27.

Officials had considered merging it with the new Oasis Senior Center building due to declining patronage.

But they reconsidered after community members voiced strong support for the library.

“It was going to be relocated to the Oasis site,” said Susan Warren, library services manager. “[But] there was a lot of positive reinforcement from the community to keep it open.”

The new changes will primarily benefit the children’s department by expanding its selection of books and services.

“We’ve added additional story times for the children,” Warren said, “because there are younger families who have moved into the area.”

The renovations will also accommodate a growing number of Wi-Fi users.

“People like to bring their own laptops to the library,” Warren said. “We’ll have more seating for that.”

According to Tim Hetherton, the library’s reference and training coordinator, the city’s decision to retain the library drew a positive response from the community.

“I think that once we committed to keeping the library there,” he said, “the community rallied behind it. “They value it.”

The Corona del Mar Library formed in 1959 after two years of extensive fundraising by the Friends of the Library Assn. Festivities will begin with the Anniversary Ribbon Cutting at 9 a.m. July 27 at 420 Marigold Ave.

Cynthia Cowell, the library’s director, expects that the expansion will help the library continue to fill an important niche in the community.

“With such strong origins in the community, the library has continued to be a cherished institution,” she said.

“I’m extremely pleased to be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and I look forward to the special events we have planned.”

— Paul Oginni