T.O. SET TO RENEW LIBRARY REPAIRS; WORK TO START IN MID-AUGUST.

Byline: Sonia Giordani Daily News Staff Writer

Taking a break from the books, Connie Reimer and her son headed out for a Wednesday morning snack at the coffee cart in front of the Thousand Oaks Library.

Like dozens of library patrons each day, the Thousand Oaks resident said she enjoys sitting in the sunshine in the patio area in front of the library.

``I think it's lovely. It's an opportunity to come out and refresh the eyes,'' said Reimer, who sipped an iced mocha from the Espresso Expressions coffee cart while 6-year-old Anders munched on his chocolate muffin.

Next month, the patio will be expanded as the library begins the last phase of a renovation project to repair damage caused by the 1994 Northridge Earthquake.

The City Council on Tuesday approved the $649,413 plan, which will complete all exterior renovations. The project will replace mulch and temporary walkways with lawns and landscaping, and extend the plaza with benches and shade trees.

``Really, we're cleaning up the whole outside of the building,'' said Edward Johnduff, project manager with the city of Thousand Oaks. ``By doing the new landscaping and the new patio, we will be improving the exterior look of the whole facility.''

Additionally, lights will be added in the parking lot, the facility's drainage and irrigation systems will be improved and new outdoor book drops will be installed.

Since the earthquake, Johnduff said, the building's ceiling has been fortified with a more conventional acoustic tile ceiling with stronger braces to better resist a quake.

This final phase of work, which is funded through library bonds, is scheduled to begin by mid-August and be completed by Thanksgiving, Johnduff said.

``This is very exciting. It's the final touch that the library needs,'' said Steve Brogden, deputy director of the Thousand Oaks Library. ``The thing the public will notice most is that the enlarged patio will allow more seating in front of the building.''

Currently, the patio accommodates only one table and four chairs. By the fall, it should offer more outdoor seating to library patrons.

The coffee cart, run by Thousand Oaks resident Denis Zacker, is parked in a corner of the patio and serves hot and cold coffee drinks as well as sodas and teas.

``People like the place to relax and read and to have a coffee or soda,'' said Zacker, who first volunteered at the library to read to children. When library administrators learned he owned a coffee cart, however, they asked him to set up outside the library.

An undisclosed portion of the proceeds from the cart goes to the Thousand Oaks Library Foundation to help purchase library materials, said Norma Callero, management assistant at the library.

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PHOTO (color) Denis Zacker, behind coffee cart, serves patrons Wednesday outside the Thousand Oaks Library, where the final phase of renovations after the Northridge Quake will begin soon.

Phil McCarten/Daily News