Charter Oak Library Will Reopen

County Supervisor Pete Schabarum, responding to pressure from local book lovers to save the Charter Oak Library, announced last week that the facility will reopen within six months.

Schabarum and County Librarian Sandra Reuben said the library, destroyed in an extensive fire March 23, will be restored or relocated, possibly in a nearby mini-mall.

More than a third of the library’s 29,000 books and most of its 1,166 audiotapes were destroyed in the early morning fire, which melted newly installed computer terminals and left a gaping hole in the roof. County officials estimate damage to the structure and its contents at more than $250,000.

The facility served 13,000 residents in Charter Oak, an unincorporated area bordered by Covina, Glendora and San Dimas.

Schabarum spokeswoman Judy Hammond said the supervisor initially intended to close the facility permanently because the larger San Dimas Library is only three miles away. “But subsequently he learned that the community very much wanted it,” Hammond said.

With an annual circulation of 65,000 items, the 3,000-square-foot facility was busier than 24 of 30 libraries of comparable size in the county, said Michael McClintock, San Gabriel Valley area manager for the County of Los Angeles Public Library.

Library supporters sprang into action this month after they learned permanent closure was a possibility. Within a month, library officials were flooded with more than 500 letters from Charter Oak residents urging the re-establishment of the facility--and each day’s mail brought more.

“The community has rallied behind the need for library services,” Reuben said. “The number of phone calls and letters has been extraordinary.”

Members of Friends of the Charter Oak Library, which launched the letter-writing campaign, were jubilant at news of the reopening.

“Whoopee! I’m absolutely thrilled,” said Friends president Mary Robinette. “There’s been a genuine outpouring of concern.”

Hammond said a decision should be made within two weeks on whether to return to the original site behind an Arrow Highway liquor store, or to move to a new location.

Library officials are looking at spaces in the Sunrise Shopping Center, a nearby mini-mall also on Arrow Highway, said Phil Fleming, marketing director for the county library system.

“We’d rather go to the mall,” Robinette said. “It’d give us more presence in the community.”

She said the Friends already are planning a fund-raising book sale and a grand-opening celebration.