VICTORVILLE — As momentum builds for the possibility of adding a second library here, the still one-and-only library has been undergoing upgrades.
The Victorville City Library is getting a new rooftop, and 12 LED energy efficient light poles are being installed in the parking lot. The renovation comes courtesy of two Community Development Block Grants, city officials said.
The grants are expected to cover the costs of the upgrades: $156,097 for the roof and $54,400 for the 20-foot tall poles.
"Libraries continue to be a relevant aspect in a successful community," Karen Everrett, the city librarian, said in a statement. "We offer, for free, the technology today's society requires in order to accommodate the various needs of our patrons' day-to-day lives such as job searches and applications, educational resources, completing governmental forms, as well as socializing."
The latest facelifts follow the introduction of free WiFi to library patrons in June; addition of a meeting room, restroom renovation and handicap ramp realignment in 2006; and the conversion of an atrium into a computer technology center also in 2006.
The center consists of 19 public computers that can be reserved for up to two hours each day. An additional 12 computers outside the center are also public accessible.
Despite the upgrades, however, there has been recent movement to at least check on the feasibility of bringing a second, even more modernized library to the city. The push was highlighted Tuesday during the City Council meeting, where City Manager Doug Robertson idealized continuing to find funding for work on the city library while also identifying money to construct a whole other facility.
Robertson added that city staff have been "supportive" of the idea of a second library.
In response to Councilman Jim Kennedy and Mayor Gloria Garcia's request to move ahead with options to relocate the library — a move Robertson was against, suggesting it would be detrimental to the Old Town population it serves — it was announced that an ad hoc committee would be formed to instead discuss the potential for funding the new library.
But before Robertson's remarks, Garcia said she backed a relocation of the library after hearing complaints from constituents about the location, the books, the lighting and the condition of the road to get there from Seventh Street.
And before Garcia, Kennedy urged officials to "look at some realistic options about what we can do" to relocate the library.
"Since I've been on this Council four-and-a-half years, we've been talking about the library, we've been talking about paving it, and we've been talking about lights and roofs, and the condition of the facility," he said. "Since I've been on this Council, we have not had a serious discussion about relocating it, and I've heard probably three or four times the reason why we can't. But I'd like to propose to the Council that we have a serious discussion about how we can."
Kennedy and Garcia's comments came at the end of Tuesday night's meeting, which also saw a resident address the dais with her concerns of the library, including how it was "dangerous" to visit after dark.
Safety appeared to be impetus for the new light poles, according to the city.
"Increasing the exterior lighting was done to improve the level of security for the library's many patrons as well as the staff," officials said in a statement.
Robertson, meanwhile, lauded efforts of city staff to revamp the library.
"We are doing our best to maintain it in a proper way," he said.
The Victorville City Library is located at 15011 Circle Drive. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. For more information on all services, call 760-245-4222.