FROM BOOKS TO COOKS LIBRARY CHECKS OUT NEW MISSION.

Byline: Lisa Mascaro Staff Writer

After lending books for a generation, the old Canoga Park library is preparing to start a new chapter as the west San Fernando Valley's latest upscale eatery.

The Community Redevelopment Agency is soliciting proposals for a $15- to $25-a-plate restaurant to take over the sleek, 1950s-modern, Owensmouth Avenue structure that's listed as a City Historical Monument.

The metamorphosis from book barn to swanky hot spot is among the most dramatic transformations under way at a handful of surplus library branches.

As Los Angeles' $210 million library modernization program delivers striking new branch libraries across the city, its older buildings are finding innovative new uses.

``The city has gone through this impressive modernization program, but many of its former libraries are lovely small structures, historical or not, that could have active new uses that contribute to their communities,'' said Ken Bernstein, director of preservation issues at the Los Angeles Conservancy.

``The Canoga Park library shows there's an opportunity to actually use a former city facility to contribute to economic revitalization and improve nightlife in Canoga Park.''

Since the city embarked on the library modernization program with $178 million in voter-approved bonds in 1998 - which have now grown to $210 million - it has rebuilt 28 branch libraries and is erecting eight brand-new ones.

While most libraries were rebuilt on their original lots, a handful of sites were taken out of service because the land had shortcomings, like being in a residential neighborhood or lacking parking.

Three have been sold off - Canoga, Westchester and the Will and Ariel Durant branch in Hollywood.

The CRA bought the 6,500-square-foot Canoga library for $1.1 million in 2005, just as the new Canoga Park Library opened around the corner.

Three others - Cypress Park, Ascot and Hyde Park - were about to go to auction with starting bids at about $550,000 until City Council offices intervened earlier this month.

Residents in Cypress Park envision a youth or community center at the 1927, 3,080-square-foot wood frame structure on Pepper Avenue, while those in South Los Angeles are looking at other uses for two libraries in their neighborhood.

``We've talked about a young adult center, job training. ... The needs are so tremendous,'' said Tony Perez, a spokesman for Councilman Ed Reyes, whose district includes the Cypress branch. ``We'll convert it into something, we're pretty confident.''

But the quaint buildings come with old-fashioned problems that can be too costly to fix. Most are not up to date with the latest codes and would need to be accessible to the disabled.

Councilman Bernard Parks' office said it would take $1 million to upgrade the 1960 Hyde Park branch on Crenshaw Boulevard, according to one estimate, so it will probably just be sold.

The small, boxy shape of the old Will and Ariel Durant branch in Hollywood had made it a poster child for the city bond program because it was so small, a library spokesman said.

Most of the new libraries are 10,000 to 12,000 square feet - triple the size of the old ones.

``They're darling buildings, but they just weren't adequate to serve the population we are now serving,'' said City Librarian Fontayne Holmes.

The money raised from selling off old libraries goes toward stocking new libraries with books, furniture and equipment not included in the bond funds. Holmes said it takes about $500,000 to outfit one of the new branches with all it needs.

But so far, the most interesting reuse to many has been the CRA's proposal to put a fancy restaurant in the old Canoga branch.

Canoga Park residents have watched their community build its way back from the devastating 1994 Northridge Earthquake, which cast the final blow on what had been a declining community troubled by crime.

Infused with $20 million in CRA money since then, the area anchored by Sherman Way has been slowly reinventing itself as a Main Street-style venue with antique shops, two live theaters and a jazz club.

Residents have longed for an upscale eatery to help truly turn Canoga Park into the neighborhood they envision.

``We're very anxious and hope it's happening soon,'' said Mary Paterson, vice president of the Canoga Park Neighborhood Council and executive director of the Canoga Park Improvement Association. ``Of course, myself, I want some vegetarian options.''

Ideas range from Brazilian to sushi, and the CRA has extended the proposal deadline to Saturday to find just the right fit.

CRA's West Valley administrator Leslie Lambert said there's been a lot of interest in the old library since it was put up for sale.

``In a case like ours, there was a lot of interest by office people who wanted the building - that really is not what the community wanted,'' she said.

``The night life is sort of burgeoning in Canoga Park and what we really need is a restaurant. It will really stimulate the legitimate nighttime activity. It's like an upgrade, really.''

Lisa Mascaro, [phone]

lisa.mascaro(at)dailynews.com

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Having bought the old Canoga Park library for $1.1 million in 2005, the Community Redevelopment Agency is soliciting proposals from restaurants to convert the building into Canoga Park's newest swanky eatery.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer