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Joyce Ellington Branch Library Closes to Make Way for Expansion

June 3, 2005 -

When the 6,912 sq. ft. Joyce Ellington Branch Library closes at 6pm on Saturday, June 11 it will be as though the diminutive structure has entered a pupa stage, only to emerge some two years later as a 15,000 sq. ft. “butterfly.”

For Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez, it will be déja vu on a somewhat smaller scale, for it will have been only four years since the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library opened in District 3. Although more than twice the size of the original library, the new branch will be on a scale that fits the surrounding neighborhood offering more space for storytelling and after-school activities, as well as group study areas. In fact, there will be more of just about everything, including those things that never existed before such as dedicated parking spaces that will make it easier for residents who live on the outer edges of its service area to take advantage of what the library will have to offer.

Service Building Size Collection Computers Seats Group Study Area Storytelling Area Meeting Area Parking Current 6,912 sf 49,430 vols 5 22 NA NA 50 pers NA Proposed 15,000 sf 72,000 vols 35 68 Capacity: 8 Capacity: 25 Capacity: 60 41-51 spots

"The Joyce Ellington Library really is a cooperative effort on behalf of the community, city staff, and San José Unified School District,” says Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez. “I am very excited to see this vision flourish into a wonderful new space for the neighborhood where residents of all ages can come and enjoy everything this new library will have to offer."

The new library, which will be built on the original site at 491 E. Empire St., will have the look and feel of an upscale bookstore. Highlights will include an Internet Café, Community Living Room with a fireplace, Group Study Areas, and a Community Room that will accommodate 60 persons, as well as significantly more space for seating, collections and computers. Parking will be provided behind the new library, with diagonal street parking on Empire Street.

Though the surrounding neighborhood treasures the unique, octagon-shaped library that has served them for the past for 28 years, they look forward to its expansion. "I believe that local libraries are one of the finest services a community can invest in," says Rick Schertle, a member of the local Northside Parents Group. "My wife and kids attend story time every Friday and come home with loads of books packed into the stroller each week, so though we're sad to have it closed for the next two years while it's being rebuilt, we are excited about having a large new facility."

On Saturday, June 11, the focus will be on celebrating the services provided over the past three decades with a variety of family-oriented activities including music, face painting, balloon sculpting and story times. The Friends of the Library will hold a “Good Buy” book sale and offer light refreshments.

During the library’s closure, Joyce Ellington library patrons will be welcome at any of San José Public Library’s many locations. Most convenient will be the following: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, East San Jose Carnegie, Educational Park.

When it opens July 9, the new Alum Rock Branch Library at 3090 Alum Rock Avenue will provide yet another option and visitors will recognize many friends among the relocated Joyce Ellington staff.

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