REVAMPED LIBRARY TURNS NEW PAGE IN ITS HISTORY.Byline: Dana Bartholomew Staff Writer Sonia Draper will soon celebrate her golden wedding anniversary. But for the lifelong bibliophile, the real sizzle siz·zle intr.v. siz·zled, siz·zling, siz·zles 1. To make the hissing sound characteristic of frying fat. 2. To seethe with anger or indignation. 3. will come this week with the reopening of the Chatsworth Branch Library. ``I am as excited about this opening every bit as much as my anniversary,'' said Draper, 70, a Chatsworth resident for 47 years. ``It really is beautiful.'' The Chatsworth Branch is among 64 libraries built or renovated by the Los Angeles Public Library
The Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) system serves the residents of Los Angeles, California. system during the largest library expansion in U.S. history. The $358 million expansion, financed by two bond measures in 1989 and 1998, has rebuilt or constructed 20 of the Valley's 21 libraries - including four new libraries added since 1994. Some, such as the North Hollywood Branch, have won architectural awards. Others, such as the Chatsworth, Lake View Terrace and Sun Valley branches, are among the ``greenest'' public buildings in the nation. ``We felt that this bond issue was a great public trust,'' said City Librarian Fontayne Holmes. ``We were committed to building all these buildings in a timely manner so that people and their children could use them.'' Construction of the Chatsworth library was delayed five months after the original contractor went bankrupt. Then its opening was delayed another two months this fall by a city hiring freeze Noun 1. hiring freeze - a freeze on hiring freeze - fixing (of prices or wages etc) at a particular level; "a freeze on hiring" . The Chatsworth reading community, meanwhile, continued to check out books at an express library near the Chatsworth train station. But Tammy Niblett, its acting librarian, was undeterred undeterred Adjective not put off or dissuaded Adj. 1. undeterred - not deterred; "pursued his own path...undeterred by lack of popular appreciation and understanding"- Osbert Sitwell undiscouraged . ``I'm in command of myself,'' joked Niblett, who shelved nearly 40,000 volumes - by herself. ``That's why it took a little while to get these up.'' By the grand opening this week, she'll have nearly a full staff specially approved by the City Council. Niblett walked through the reading room - its high ceiling supported by craftsman-style beams - past a row of inside arches lit by 14 windows facing Devonshire Street. She strolled by a soaring picture window soon to be replaced with stained glass stained glass, in general, windows made of colored glass. To a large extent, the name is a misnomer, for staining is only one of the methods of coloring employed, and the best medieval glass made little use of it. and then into a circular tiled lobby and new community center. Outside, the brown-and-beige library is all columns and mission-style tile with a hacienda hacienda also called estancia (Argentina and Uruguay) or fazenda (Brazil) In Latin America, a large landed estate. The hacienda originated in the colonial period and survived into the 20th century. courtyard - the only one of its kind in the L.A. library system. ``It's beautiful, as you can see,'' Niblett said, standing not far from Roy Rogers' and Dale Evans' former ranch. ``The community wanted something historic. This reflects the history of the area.'' For Draper, the Chatsworth branch will be the perfect haven for book lovers. ``I love the library,'' said Draper, whose wedding anniversary will be Wednesday. ``I hang out there. I get five books, find out I've read three - let the fingers do the walking. ``I'm very excited about taking my grandson to the library and introducing him to new books. Get 'em while they're young.'' Dana Bartholomew, (818) 713-3730 dana.bartholomew(at)dailynews.com IF YOU GO: The Chatsworth Branch Library will reopen at 10 a.m. Monday at 21052 Devonshire St. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be attended by Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. Mayor James Hahn For the Iowa politician, see . James Kenneth "Jim" Hahn (born July 3, 1950) is an American politician from the Democratic Party. He was the Deputy City Attorney (1975-1979), City Controller (1981-1985), City Attorney (1985-2001) and Mayor of Los Angeles, California , City Councilman Greig Smith Greig Smith is a Los Angeles City Councilman, representing the 12th District, which includes Granada Hills, Northridge and other parts of the Western San Fernando Valley. Smith is also a reserve officer for the Los Angeles Police Department. and students from Lawrence Middle School Lawrence Middle School is a middle school in the Lawrenceville section of Lawrence Township, in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States, as part of the Lawrence Township Public Schools. The school teaches students in grades 7 and 8. Lawrence Middle School's mascot is the cardinal. . CAPTION(S): photo, box, map Photo: Acting senior librarian Tammy Niblett readies a newly renovated Chatsworth Branch Library for its Monday re-opening. Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer Box: IF YOU GO (see text) Map: CHATSWORTH Library site |
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