BUILDING A BETTER LIBRARY CITY HAS DONE IT ONCE, AND VOTERS MAY WANT TO DO IT AGAIN.

Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer

BURBANK - Walking out into the warm afternoon with an armload of books, 17-year-old Danica Davidson considered the question carefully.

Would she want to see a new Central Library, with more space inside to study, along with extra computers and more ample parking?

``I would if they get more books,'' she said. ``There's a lot of books they don't have here.''

Her mother, Deborah Peckham, chimed in as well.

``The idea is great, but I don't know if people are going to want to pay,'' Peckham said. ``It comes down to money.''

Under the proposed Measure L, which Burbank voters will see on their Feb. 25 election ballot, both the older Central and Northwest Branch libraries would be torn down and rebuilt to match the city's newest Buena Vista Branch library.

The state's Library Bond Act, approved by voters in 1999, provides the city with an opportunity to apply for a $20 million state grant on a competitive basis.

But to apply for the grant, the city must agree, and residents must assent by a two-thirds vote, to be assessed $12 annually per $100,000 assessed value of their homes.

More than 80 percent of all Burbank homes have an assessed value of $300,000 or less. Those residents would be asked to pay $3 a month for 10 years.

The bulk of the revenue would come from commercial property.

Backers of the measure include the Burbank Chamber of Commerce, whose executive director, Susan Bowers, said she doesn't often endorse an increase in taxes, but called the measure a quality-of-life issue.

Libraries, she said, would be more difficult and more expensive to build in 10 years, even if a bond were to resurface again.

``This would likely cost business owners more, but our mission is to promote the quality of life in Burbank,'' Bowers said. ``To give an example, Warner Bros. would pay $60,000 a year for 10 years, and yet they are in favor of it.''

Other Measure L proponents say that residents who have visited the Buena Vista Branch Library are witnessing the future of what could be.

The $9 million Buena Vista, with its Spanish style facade and 2-acre park, opened in December to high acclaim from residents.

If features a children's room, private study rooms, 40 computers and about a dozen laptop portals.

The measure's backers envision the same to replace the Central Library built in 1964 on Glenoaks Boulevard, and the smaller Northwest Branch, built in 1972 on Victory Boulevard.

``We have a lot of facility needs,'' said Sharon Cohen, interim library services director. ``There's not enough parking; we're maxed out on electricity. We don't have room to incorporate technology. There's a big need for seniors as well as for all ages. We have no study rooms. We want to have a homework center. Technology for the children is limited.''

Cohen said the Central Library's circulation has tripled, and yet, there is very little room for books.

``One thing we expected would happen is that less people would come to the Central because of the opening of Buena Vista, but that's not happening,'' Cohen said. ``Central still has the best resources, but we didn't have computers back when it was built. When both libraries were built, the builders expected to have books forever.''

If passed and the grant is approved, the Central Library could become part of a new $25 million Civic Center, which means the library would be moved across the way at Third Street and Orange Grove.

Some residents visiting the Central Library said they wouldn't mind seeing a remodeled version, but they remained skeptical of a new building altogether.

``I'm for it as long as it's not built simply for architecture,'' said Paul Wagner. ``There's really a need here for more space for books.''

Resident Gerry Wilcox agreed.

``Let them remodel it, but remodel it here,'' said Wilcox, a Burbank resident for 48 years. ``Burbank just keeps putting up building after building. When is it going to be enough? I'm all for it, but they don't have to make it the Taj Mahal.''

Backers said they hope voters will see that new libraries will enhance the city's overall appearance and provide services now critical for today's youth and professionals.

``Libraries are critical to the community structure,'' said Tom Bruehl, chairman of the Yes on Measure L Committee. ``It took 17 years to build the Buena Vista, and Burbank was fortunate. It opened the people's eyes of what a library should look like.''

In a recent, informal survey, Bruehl found that most residents are undecided how to vote, but of those who understood the issue, 2 to 1 were in favor, he said.

No one has filed an opposing opinion, said City Clerk Margarita Campos.

If voters pass Measure L, and the grant isn't approved, the issue becomes moot and residents likely will not see a new library for a decade because of the state budget crisis, Bruehl said.

``More than 66 percent of the voters have to pass this,'' Bruehl said. That's a very high hurdle right now.''

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) Deborah Riddle, left, of Burbank and Irene Babayan, center, of Glendale study in a Burbank Library branch that, if voters agree, could be replaced.

(2) Talin Abethian, 7, of Burbank loads up on books for herself and her sister at a Burbank Library branch that could be replaced.

Charlotte Schmid-Maybach/Staff Photographer