BURBANK AGAIN SEEKING LIBRARY FUNDS.

Byline: Alex Dobuzinskis Staff Writer

BURBANK - After two failed attempts to secure $20 million in state bond money to build a new library, Burbank will give it one last try by submitting an application this week, officials said Wednesday.

The proposed facility would replace the Central Library, built in 1963, and would have 112 computer terminals and room for more books.

Burbank has twice before applied for money from Proposition 14, a $350 million bond measure approved by voters in 2000 to fund library projects and literacy programs.

``As badly as we need a new library, when you look at library districts statewide there's a lot of libraries that are in much worse shape than we are,'' said Sharon Cohen, director of library services.

The Central Library is at Glenoaks Boulevard and Olive Avenue. The new library would be built across the street and would have 65,500 square feet of space.

``Basically, space has been a major problem for us, and this is going to give us a lot of additional space,'' Cohen said.

The deadline is Friday to apply for the third and final round of Proposition 14 funds.

The total estimated cost of the new Central Library is $37.3 million, Cohen said. The maximum in state bond funds the city can apply for is $20 million.

Last February, a bond measure that would raise $14 million for libraries was approved by nearly 68 percent of Burbank voters. More than $9 million of that money would be used to build a new Central Library if Burbank receives the state funding, but the local bonds will not be issued unless the state funds are secured.

Burbank is expecting to find out in August if its latest application for state funds will be successful. The city could begin construction in October 2006 and the project would be finished in October 2008, Cohen said.

Alex Dobuzinskis, [phone]

alex.dobuzinskis(at)dailynews.com