The Malibu City Council unanimously rejected a proposed $13 million library expansion at their last meeting, instead directing staff to develop plans for a comprehensive "world-class" facility that would also serve as a community center.
The decision came during a budget discussion that shifted from routine funding approvals to a fundamental reassessment of how the city should utilize its library set-aside fund, which has accumulated approximately $25 million in surplus property tax revenue.
"We should be exploring the construction and development of a world-class library on the site that the library is currently situated," said Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Silverstein, who led the charge against the county's proposal for a detached 4,000-square-foot addition. "Let's create something that we're proud of."
The Los Angeles County Library had presented the expansion as a discussion item, with an estimated cost of roughly $3,000 per square foot and a construction timeline of 24 to 30 months. Council members balked at both the price and the limited scope.
"I looked at the county library pictures of all the libraries that the county has. We probably had the dumpiest one," said Councilmember Doug Stewart, who visited the Topanga library recently. "What a first-class library. The facility is outstanding, and we're talking about putting a 4,000-square-foot addition on it's going to cost $13 million. I'm stunned by the price."
The Malibu Library generates an annual surplus of approximately $3.1 million, created when property tax revenue allocated to the county library system exceeds operational costs. Under a 2008 memorandum of understanding extended through 2044, these funds must be used solely for Malibu library facilities and services.
Stewart noted that while the city receives about 7.4% of property taxes paid by residents, the library receives roughly 2.5% — funds that have been accumulating since the agreement was established.
"This is no shortage to have a first-class library system," Stewart said. "We're not even spending all the money we have."
Financial documents show the city approved $1.43 million in library programs for fiscal year 2023-24 but spent only $747,118, leaving $679,684 unspent. The library's total operating costs were $2.68 million against revenue of $5.8 million.
Security concerns dominated much of the discussion. Councilmember Steve Uhring referenced ongoing problems at the library site.
"I keep getting calls from parents who just are afraid to go to the library," Uhring said. "We ought to just figure out something we can do to police that place and make it a little bit safer for everybody."
The council voted to budget for three security guards with direction to hire two immediately. Currently, only one guard is utilized, though the budget allows for two at $130,000 each annually.
A library staff member identified as Melissa confirmed that guards patrol both inside the library and the surrounding county property, including parking lots and the area near the courthouse.
The council also approved continuing funding for fiscal year 2026-27 priorities including the speaker series ($125,000), extended service hours ($175,000), outreach and teen librarians ($155,000 each), and school campus library support. New items include funding for community resiliency programs proposed by the Community Brigade and Boys & Girls Club, as well as a micro-forest proposal from the SAMO Fund.
Staff will transfer the city-funded poet laureate program from the general fund to library funding.
Senior Management Analyst Cynthia Alba emphasized that the action established discussion priorities rather than approving specific expenditures. Staff will meet with county library officials the following week, with the library subcommittee reviewing a recommended budget in March before final council approval.
The council's directive to explore a comprehensive facility represents a dramatic expansion from the county's modest addition proposal. Silverstein suggested the project could incorporate community meeting spaces and an auditorium while potentially solving the city's need for a dedicated community center.
Councilmember Haylynn Conrad questioned whether the city should invest tax dollars in county-owned property, but Silverstein argued the contractual arrangement prevents using the accumulated funds elsewhere. He estimated that with $25 million in equity, the project could secure $50 million to $70 million in financing, repaid through ongoing surplus revenue.
"Let's start thinking grand," Silverstein said. "We've got a ton of money to do it."
Alba said staff is rewriting a request for proposals for a community needs assessment and feasibility study to incorporate the expanded vision, including potential coordination with the city's Community Lands project and Parks and Recreation master plan.
The Malibu Library, established in 1970 and renovated in 2012, welcomed 64,787 visitors in fiscal year 2023-24, a 7% increase from the previous year. The library is located at 23519 W. Civic Center Way on county-owned civic center property.
The Library Subcommittee had met Friday, Dec. 5, to discuss recommendations for the fiscal year 2026-27 budget before presenting priorities to the full council.