The San Juan Capistrano Library is the latest county branch to reopen after a much-needed refresh.
After being closed for more than a year, the library was back in business Tuesday, March 7, with upgrades visitors will notice such as new paint and carpeting, a new lounge area for teens, new furniture and a kiosk for checking out laptops. And there are other changes they won’t — which is OK, said Julie Quillman, county librarian, that’s kind of the point.
The library has new energy-efficient lighting, data lines and environmental systems for heating and cooling the spaces, and it is more ADA compliant, she said.
The library is a 1980s building that was designed by Michael Graves early in his career. The prolific American architect is known for the Portland Building in Oregon, the Denver Public Library and the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts, among many others.
Given the library building’s architectural significance, the remodel was a little more limited than others the county system has been able to do, Quillman said. But it was still able to make some spaces more open and versatile, including shaving down some of the many pillars to make walkways wider for wheelchair and stroller access, she said.
“The furniture has been changed to today’s style and standards,” Quillman said, noting it is lighter and movable, so rooms can be set up for kids to do activities at workstations or stretch out on the floor for story times and yoga classes can be offered.
“We are excited for the programs we can do there,” she said.
Also with more room to lounge are teens who now have their own space — complete with more places to plug in or hang out.
A smaller meeting room was added for book clubs and other groups needing a separated space.
The refresh cost about $2 million.
The OC Public Libraries system, which has 33 branches across the county offering in-person and digital services, does regular assessments of the conditions of the buildings. When…
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