HUNTINGTON BEACH : Library Project Wins Award for Excellence

City officials tout Huntington Beach Central Library as one of the finest in the country.

Others think so too.

The California League of Cities Institute for Local Self-Government has selected the library’s recent expansion as the 1994 winner of the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence.

“It’s very prestigious,” said library services director Ron Hayden. “There was fierce competition, and to be singled out as a project that exemplified public participation. . . . I think the city should be proud, especially at a time when other libraries are reducing hours and closing doors.”

The library expansion project, completed in January, added 43,000 square feet to the existing 72,000-square-foot library. Improvements included a new 16,000-square-foot children’s wing--the largest in the state--a state-of-the-art media technology center, five meeting rooms and a 319-seat theater.

In addition, the library’s entrance was redesigned, staff work space was created, a computerized and automated book return system was installed and the Friends Gift Shop was relocated to the front of the library.

The award recognizes the result of eight years of hard work by library support groups to complete the expansion project, Hayden said.

“They kept the dream alive with a wide range of participation,” he said.

Library support groups raised about $1 million toward the $8.5-million cost of the expansion project, Hayden said.

Formal announcement of the award is set for Oct. 23 at the California League of Cities annual conference in Long Beach. Presentation of the award will be made in Sacramento by Gov. Pete Wilson at the Award for Excellence ceremony, with the date to be announced after the League of Cities conference.