In 1989, voters responded, with more than two-thirds backing a $53.4-million bond to fund the program. After that success, 73% of voters backed a second $178.3-million bond in 1998.
The new libraries were planned as a different kind of branch -- larger, higher-tech and consciously designed to be inviting community centers as much as repositories for books.
At more than 10,000 square feet (and sometimes larger), they are at least twice the size of those built in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Each features more than two dozen computers hooked to the Internet.
They have meeting rooms to accommodate classes, neighborhood gatherings and art exhibitions. All feature airy open spaces where patrons can linger, reading, working, even quietly chatting.
Each has a distinctive design that marks it as a neighborhood landmark.
In Encino, an angled two-story wall of glass dramatically projects toward Ventura Boulevard. In Highland Park, the dark wood beams and river stones of the Arroyo Seco regional branch evoke early 20th century public park architecture. And in Pico-Union, stone moldings, classical arches and a red tile roof mimic the Italianate style of Carnegie branches built a century ago.
"I think of libraries now as the new public square, where people come to get information, to meet, to fill out a job application, to go on the Internet," said Fontayne Holmes, who managed the construction program until she became city librarian last year.
Local history is replete with public works projects going over budget by millions, even billions, of dollars. The libraries were different.
Holmes teamed up with 30-year veteran city engineer Sam Tanaka in what Tanaka compared with "a fine marriage."
The 62-year-old librarian, who can talk about steel prices and reinforced foundations as if she were a contractor, demanded creative and distinctive designs from architects.
The laconic engineer, who oversaw the construction of the downtown convention center and the Tom Bradley terminal at LAX, ensured that the projects stayed on schedule and on budget.
Both worked tirelessly to build community support for the new libraries, arranging more than 180 neighborhood meetings throughout the city to solicit input about sites and designs.
It wasn't always easy.
In the city's West Adams neighborhood, a nasty community spat over the site for a new branch prompted the library to hire a mediation service.
