Mark Twain library to close for maintenance in early June
The 18-year-old branch will close for a week and a half to increase energy efficiency, city officials said.
The Mark Twain Neighborhood Library in Central Long Beach will close in early June for a week and a half of maintenance, city officials announced Wednesday.
The closure will begin Friday, June 6 so workers can make energy efficiency improvements, according to Long Beach Public Library officials.
The planned upgrades include the installation of an energy-efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, which includes a new rooftop air conditioner and boiler, upgrading pumps and tanks and making other electrical and structural improvements, city officials said.
The work "will significantly improve the building’s energy performance and reduce long-term maintenance costs," library officials said in a news release.
The work is scheduled to continue through Tuesday, June 17, allowing the branch to reopen on Wednesday, June 18.
The Mark Twain library branch, located at 1401 E. Anaheim Street, is relatively new, having opened in 2007, replacing earlier structures that dated back to the 1930s. In fact, the current branch was the first building in Long Beach to receive the Silver Medal LEED Award from the U.S. Green Building Council, according to the city.
Nonetheless, the planned upgrades and repairs "address wear and tear that naturally occurs over time," said Maurina Cintron, a Long Beach Public Library spokesperson. Some elements of the work will also reflect "evolving standards in building efficiency and accessibility," she added.
"While not all aspects of the work were originally anticipated back in 2007, maintaining a high-quality environment for library patrons requires periodic investment beyond the initial build," Cintron said.
The project is part of Elevate ’28, a five-year effort by the city to enhance parks and community facilities throughout Long Beach ahead of the 2028 Olympics.
The work is paid for with funds from Measure A, a 2016 ballot initiative approved by Long Beach voters that authorized a 10-year sales tax to maintain public infrastructure and public safety services, city officials said.
All digital resources at the library, including e-books and online databases, will remain available through the Long Beach Public Library website, according to the city. All other Long Beach Public Library locations will remain open during their normal operating hours.
Residents wanting more information can call 562-570-7500 or email lbpl@longbeach.gov.
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