SJLibrary.org, a collaboration of San Jose State University and San Jose Public Library system.

Construction

Back to top

• The project began with the demolition of the old Wahlquist Library in April 2000; Library construction began in July 2000
• View images of the construction
• To move the materials into the new building from five separate libraries took:
  • 4 months
  • 8,000 book carts
  • 200 feet of duct tape
  • 2,902 feet of bubble wrap
  • 154 cubic feet of Styrofoam "popcorn fill"
  • 15 customized crates to move special artwork and statues
     

Building Facts

• This is the largest library to be built at one time west of the Mississippi - Eight floors plus a mezzanine and lower level
• 475,000+ square feet
• 11 acres of space
• The building has a capacity of 2 million volumes
• 5 public elevators, escalators to the 4th
• 3,600 seats (more than double the combined seating of previous library facilities)
• over 1 million visitors served per year
• The Library is free and open to all - no identification or proof of residency is needed to use or enjoy materials within the Library

Collections

Back to top

• Combined University and City collections total more than 1.5 million items. If lined up, the items would stretch from the corner of 4th and San Fernando to the San Francisco Airport, 36.3 miles away.
• For more information, see Collections in the King Library

Special Features

Back to top

• Grand Reading Room
• Morgridge Literacy Center
• Brandenburg Browsing Library
• Children's Exploration Room
• Children's Storytelling Area
• Children's Electronic Discovery Area
• Friends of the Library Bookstore
• Adaptive Technology Center

• Teen Center
• Seven-story atrium with skylight
• On Fourth: a novel café
• 37 group study rooms
• 2 music listening rooms
• 8 special program and lecture rooms
• 30 public art installations throughout the building

Architects

• Executive Architect - Carrier Johnson, San Diego, CA
• Design Associate Architect - Gunnar Birkerts Architects, Bloomfield, MI
• Local Associate Architect - Anderson Brulé Architects, San José, CA

Building Team

• General Contractor - Hensel Phelps Construction Company
• Construction Manager - Gilbane
• Project Management - San José Redevelopment Agency and San José State University

see also: San José Public Library Fact Sheet

Back to top