Portola Valley library building likely to close Portola Valley library building likely to close (April 13, 2005)

By David Boyce

Almanac Staff Writer

The library building in Portola Valley may soon close if library employees and management decide to vacate the building in light of a recent negative report on the building's ability to withstand a major earthquake.

It's unclear whether temporary quarters will be provided before new Town Center facilities, including a library, are built, possibly by 2007.

The April 6 report, commissioned by the San Mateo County library system, predicts the library's roof would separate from the walls and the building would collapse in a major quake. A retrofit is not recommended.

In an April 11 letter anticipating the negative finding, county library director Victoria Johnson said the library would close.

"We will have to protect the public, staff and resources by ceasing to use the building," said Ms. Johnson. The employees and management were meeting as the Almanac went to press.

In the letter, Ms. Johnson suggested alternatives, including extending the hours of the Woodside library and sending the bookmobile to town every two weeks.

The Town Council plans to discuss the report and Ms. Johnson's letter at its 8 p.m. meeting on Wednesday, April 13, in the Historic Schoolhouse. At the meeting, the council will also convene a committee to study alternatives and report back in two weeks, said Mayor Ed Davis.

"We're going to have a dark library within days or week or months or what have you," said Mayor Ed Davis. "I'm hoping that the employees will hang in there for a couple of months."

The council recently considered housing the library in a temporary building, but it could be too expensive, said Mr. Davis. It's unlikely in the near term anyway, as the best location is the site of the old administration building, he said, noting that demolishing that building could not proceed without substantial paperwork to address environmental concerns.

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