The New West Hollywood Library, which will open its doors on October 1, 2011, will serve as the centerpiece of the community as it becomes a focal point for teaching and learning. In addition to simply housing print materials, the library addresses the growing use of electronic media and global telecommunications and will grow into a vital social and community gathering point.

The New West Hollywood Library, which will remain part of the County of Los Angeles Public Library system, will assume some of the new technological features being instituted by County libraries, such as expedited materials check-out. Books, DVDs and other materials can be reserved online, and library patrons can make a quick pick-up, and check out materials electronically at express stations located at the library’s entrance. The County of Los Angeles Public Library system has more than 13,000 electronic books (eBooks) in its digital collection, available in a variety of eBook platforms. The County of Los Angeles Public Library also recently announced its “On the Go” mobile app (www.colapub.org/mobile), which allows patrons to reserve materials, search the library catalog, download eBooks and check the due-date status of checked out materials.

The New West Hollywood Library will also be home to top-tier resources on par to the country’s best university and private libraries, which have significant funding. In contrast, the New West Hollywood library has resources that can be enjoyed by all members of the community.

The library was designed specifically to balance physical media with high-tech features. A large part of the building’s interior is free of support columns; its floor plan is flexible so it may evolve with the growth of the library. Over time, it’s expected that print media will continue to shift to digital form, and space currently taken up with book stacks will be absorbed by space dedicated to more computer and digital media.

There are currently 51 computers throughout the library, and there are plans to increase this number as the need arises. There will also be a “vending machine”-type service station, where patrons may rent laptop computers during their visits. The library will offer free Wi-Fi, so patrons may bring their own computers to use.

A café, located on the library’s first level, will also offer free Wi-Fi. With indoor and outdoor seating, it is designed to allow patrons to have coffee, work or socialize with friends and colleagues.

After two years of construction and many years of planning, the City of West Hollywood is nearing completion of Phase I of the West Hollywood Park Master Plan, which includes the building of the highly-anticipated new West Hollywood Library. Phase I of the West Hollywood Park Master Plan is one of the major components of the City’s 25th Anniversary Capital Project, which also includes development of the West Hollywood City Hall Automated Garage and Community Plaza Project and implementation of the Plummer Park Master Plan.

Phase I of the West Hollywood Park Master Plan which includes the new West Hollywood Library, City Council Chambers and public meeting rooms, CATV facilities, 2.5 acres of expanded parkland and open space, new tennis courts, and 400 parking spaces in two municipal garages will be completed this fall. The City Council Chambers, which will accommodate more than 150 people, will also be used for special performances and presentations.

The 32,000 square foot, LEED-certified new West Hollywood Library will serve as the centerpiece of the West Hollywood community. It is designed to showcase the City’s rich intellectual, literary and cultural diversity and provide a landmark facility for the community’s passionate commitment to lifelong learning. The Community Dedication and the Grand Opening of the new West Hollywood Library will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard in West Hollywood.

The total cost to complete Phase I of the West Hollywood Park Master Plan is $64 million. The West Hollywood Library Fund, a non profit organization led by a volunteer board of community leaders, seeks to raise $10 million from individuals, corporations and foundations in support of the new West Hollywood Library and implementation of Phase I of the West Hollywood Park Master Plan. The campaign, LibraryPark, has raised nearly $7 million in donations to date.

The West Hollywood Park Master Plan including the new West Hollywood Library was designed by architects Steve Johnson and Jim Favaro. They are the principals of Johnson Favaro, an architectural and urban design firm located in Culver City. The construction manager is Heery International. Dan Adams, a Senior Associate at Heery, is the Project Director. Adams is also a resident of West Hollywood. The General Contractor is W.E. O’Neil Construction Company.

For more information, regarding Phase I of the West Hollywood Park Master Plan and the new West Hollywood Library, please contact Chris Worland, 25th Anniversary Capital Project Community Liaison, at (323) 848-6511. More information regarding the 25th Anniversary Capital Project.