The City of Santa Clarita hosted a ground breaking event today at the future site of the Old Town Newhall Library.

The new 26,000 square foot library will be built at the corner of Lyons Avenue and Main Street.

“The new Old Town Newhall Library will house a book and media capacity of more than 135,000 items and guests will enjoy access to a total of 190 reader seats, 68 public computers, and 110 meeting seats,” said Mayor Laurene Weste. “When you count the library’s incredible features, along with its aesthetic design, there’s no question that the new facility is sure to better serve the needs of our growing community for years to come.”

Weste, with the help of Councilmembers Frank Ferry, Laurie Ender, and Marsha McLean, took a stab at the new site with golden shovels to signal the start of the project.

In addition to the large book and media capacity, the library will also have a children’s area, complete with a tower and child-size entrance, a local history area and a fireplace reading room.

“This is a step up for the old library which only had two computers,” said Weste.

The new building will join other historical landmarks in the Downtown Newhall area such as the American Legion building, which was the first movie theater built in the Santa Clarita Valley, and one of the oldest jailhouses built in L.A County.

Funding for the new library came from the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Santa Clarita, but it will be operated by L.A County.