By SARA VAN DYCK Special to the Daily Press
Santa Monica library users will see a lot of moving going on this fall. First comes the reopening of Montana Branch this September, followed by Fairview Branch reopening in November. Meanwhile, the Main Library on Sixth Street will begin its move to an interim site, in preparation for demolishing the current building in December or January and constructing an entirely new one.
Library patrons — and that means most of us, since the library lists over 116,000 registered borrowers — are wondering what to expect during this period, and what the new building will be like. Look for this column to update Santa Monica Daily Press readers on these developments and on how to find the materials, services and programs they need.
A banner currently in front of the Montana library site announces, “Your help is needed to outfit our library!” Why, residents are asking, are community members being asked to help raise funds for the newly renovated library? Isn’t that the city’s job? According to city librarian Wini Allard, much of the available funding is restricted to capital improvements and cannot be used for furnishings.
Despite all these changes, library staff are continuing to present exciting programs, including summer programs for children at the Main Library. Not to leave the adults out, three book discussion sessions are scheduled for August and September, with the theme of “Art in Literature.” The books are:
• The Passion of Artemisia, by Susan Vreeland, on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2 p.m.
• Lydia Cassatt Reading the Morning Paper, by Harriet Scott Chessman, on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2 p.m.
These are free and open to the public, but reservations are required. Contact Rebecca at (31) 434-2644, or e-mail
Finally, “Citywide Reads” is coming soon, giving all Santa Monicans the opportunity to read and discuss the same book. Similar citywide reading programs have been very successful in other communities. Residents are invited to offer their suggestions to a committee that is selecting which book to read. To make a recommendation see the brochure, “What If All of Santa Monica Read the Same Book?” at the library or visit www. smpl.org/cwr/cwr-suggest.htm.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 14, 2002. Read the original PDF.