By Eric Furth
Staff Writer
After three years of development, the new Manhattan Beach Library is nearing its final phase of construction and is due to open in December of this year.
Construction of the new site began in February of 2013 after the old building was demolished in December 2012.
“The old Manhattan Beach library was long overdue for a new facility,” Manhattan Beach Library Commissioner Lester Silverman said. “I’m more than happy to finally see the product come to fruition because it’s a project I believe the entire city can enjoy.”
Currently, the city is in the process of installing windows on the exterior of the building, and work on the interior of the building has begun. In total, the construction for the new building costs around $22,600,000.
“The city was due for a new one, and all of the new features will hopefully attract a new crowd,” Library Manager Donald Gould said at a Manhattan Beach City Council meeting on Sept. 2.
Some of the new additions to the Manhattan Beach Library include rentable iPads and Apple notebooks, along with a greater selection of books and DVDs. Library visitors will also be able to check out e-books, audio books and music on a rented device of their choice.
“Our new digital book and music collection is something to really look forward to now that we have the budget to do something like that,” Gould said.
A portable library, or “bookmobile,” has been stationed in the library parking lot to serve anyone who needs to check out or return a book. This has served as a temporary library between the demolition and construction of the new library as well.
“This is one of the city projects I’m most excited about,” Silverman said. “The library is sure to appeal to customers outside of the previous demographic found at the old library.”
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