Chatsworth Library's Got Big Plans

Senior Librarian Jan Metzler and her Chatsworth staff were on a high the day after Measure L, the initiative to increase funding for Los Angeles' public libraries, was approved by voters.

Metzler, who arrived at Chatsworth Library in December, can now get on with new program ideas she had placed on hold not knowing if she would have the money and staff to implement them.

Things had been looking bleak during the past year as the city budget crunch  forced cutbacks in library hours and staffing. Branches were asked to pay for their own operating costs, such as utilities and building maintenance, which took away from buying books, music and other materials.

“After the layoffs in July, everyone was in a funk. We were lucky to keep the doors open,” Metzler said. “Measure L is effective July 1, and we are hoping for Monday hours to return.”

Metzler said it’s hard for students who have homework assignments and no access to the information they need if the library is closed Sunday and Monday.

She also wants to reopen the library two additional nights per week, to provide more programs and access to library services.

Metzler has worked for the Los Angeles Public Library for 35 years. She started in Hollywood, moved over to Sherman Oaks in 1976 as a children’s librarian and then spent 10 years at West Valley Regional Library as an adult librarian before moving to the Encino-Tarzana branch as a supervisor.

Metzler, who has a master's degree in library science from USC, was instrumental in opening the Platt branch library in Woodland Hills in 1995 before moving over to Van Nuys, where she worked for seven years and boosted circulation.

“It was a great experience,” Metzler said, adding that when a position opened in Chatsworth she applied because it was much closer to her Thousand Oaks home.

“Chatsworth is a wonderful community and has an excellent Friends of the Library [support group],” she said. “It is also known for a horde of teens who gather outside and inside the library, especially on minimum days,” she added, referrring to shortened school days.

The library is a safe after-school haven, especially for children who do not have access to computers at home, and is also widely used by people searching for jobs.

Metzler said residents going through tough financial times have discovered they can borrow books and DVDs for free. 

To address teens’ needs, the library instituted “Tuesday Teen Time” after school, which started this month on Election Day. About 60 kids showed up to play board games. Metzler considers it a huge success.

She's also reinstating a Teen Council, made up of kids age 11 to 18. The council would give input on what is "cool" in terms of books, movies and music, to help staff make selections. Plans are under way for bake sales to raise money for the council and buy additional items for the library.

The first meeting of the Teen Council is set for March 29 after school. To mark the occasion, teens are invited to decorate cupcakes.

The library’s morning “Tiny Tots Story Time” has grown by word of mouth from a handful of children and parents to nearly 30 children and 12 adults by holding it in a more visible location inside the library and by reaching out to a nearby preschool.

“This ties in with the City Librarian’s one of three goals—to invest in new readers and the value of early literacy,” Metzler said.

The staff instituted “Pajama Story Hours” for preschoolers and kindergartners. Children come in their pajamas, toting their favorite stuffed animals. The next story hour is planned for 6:30 p.m. on March 24.

Summer reading programs will continue at Chatsworth. The programs encourage the use of the library when school is not in session and help students keep up their reading skills. Special guest performers, such as magicians and puppeteers, along with a craft time, are planned.  

For the first time, the Chatsworth library will show young-adult and adult movies on a big screen starting this summer. The Friends of the Library paid for the necessary film exhibition license.

“We are looking to enhance the community," Metzler said. "This will also open up the opportunity to offer computer classes and PowerPoint presentations."

She said she plans to encourage schools to take field trips to the library where they can learn about accessing information from the library’s Web site to enhance their studies.

The library’s databases, a plethora of informational links, can also be accessed by adults, and the Chatsworth library intends to have presentations by experts in all aspects of finance, such as estate planning, investing, avoiding foreclosure and debt consolidation.

Metzler also said an end-of-summer family concert is in the works.