La Mirada~The public library in town will be renovated for the first time in its 45-year history with construction expected to begin next year.

The 15,704 square foot branch is part of the County of Los Angeles Public Library System and was constructed in 1969 around the same time as today’s city hall and has relatively remained unchanged since then with the exception of some minor interior improvements over the years.

As part of Supervisor Don Knabe’s “Operation Libraries” project, the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors recently approved $45 million into the restoration of County libraries in the fourth district-with $4 million being allocated to La Mirada.

The County of Los Angeles Public Library is the 6th largest public library system in the United States with 85 branches.

A lease agreement is being finalized between the City and the County. Although the facility is owned and operated by the County; the City would manage the design and development of the project.

The renovated library is expected to include: adult, teen and children’s reading areas, a family early childhood area, self-check-out machines, staff work area offices, group study rooms, Wi-Fi, public access computers, library collection, displays, and a community meeting room with an enhanced audio-visual system.

Under the plan, interior renovation considerations would include modifications to the lighting, ceiling, and heating; improvements to electrical, mechanical and telecommunications infrastructure; installation of new furniture, fixtures, equipment, and signage; and ADA upgrades.

Exterior improvements would include modifications to the building entry and a civic art component.

A temporary library would be set up at a still undetermined location while the renovation is taking place.

The project is expected to commence in mid-2015 and be completed in 2016.