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Opening of the Dr. Roberto Cruz - Alum Rock Branch Library

July 9, 2005 -

Dr. Roberto Cruz - Alum Rock At a Glance Size: 26,000 sq. ft. Collections: 137,000 items Seats: 145 Public Computers: 50 Group Study Area: 25 persons Storytelling Area: 38 persons Community Room: 100 persons

Alum Rock neighborhood residents gathered Saturday to celebrate the opening of a new and significantly larger library, replacing the original county-operated 6,890 sq. ft. library that has served the area since mid-1978. The opening of the Dr. Roberto Cruz - Alum Rock Community Branch Library adds a branch to the San José Public Library system and reflects an agreement by the City of San José to assume primary responsibility for providing library services to the Alum Rock neighborhood with continued financial support from the County of Santa Clara. The 26,000 sq. ft. facility designed by Franco Associates Architects, AIA and The Colyer Freeman Group, LLP and constructed by West Bay Builders, Inc. has an estimated 137,000 items in its collection, excluding periodicals. The international languages component includes a large selection of Spanish-language materials.

"This beautiful new library is the result of San Jose residents voting to increase our community’s investment in learning in all our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Ron Gonzales. “The Alum Rock branch will be a wonderful tribute to Dr. Roberto Cruz and a welcome addition to this part of San José."

The Dr. Roberto Cruz - Alum Rock Community Branch Library is the fourth library to be completed under the $212 million library branch bond program approved by voters in November 2000. The library worked with community representatives and the design team to achieve its vision for dynamic spaces and experiences that addressed the needs and preferences of the local community.

"The Alum Rock Village is well known for the character and charm of its shops, restaurants, and community.” said Councilmember Nora Campos. “The Dr. Roberto Cruz Library will add a marketplace of knowledge that will become part of an already vibrant business district."

Highlights of the new branch include an Internet Café, a Community Living Room with a fireplace, a Technology Lab, a Family Learning Center, Group and Quiet Study Areas, and a Community Room, as well as significantly more space for seating, collections and computers. The Dr. Roberto Cruz - Alum Rock Community Branch Library is the second of four libraries designated to operate a Family Learning Center, each offering educational activities tailored to the needs of the local community, but all intended to provide children with the skills and confidence that they need to achieve their full potential and to enable parents to provide a supportive learning environment. As an example, the Alum Rock library will offer English-as-a-Second Language classes through a partnership with East Side Union High School District.

Public art at the new library features four large terrazzo discs inset in the floors, each with a complimentary skylight well, that reflect historic, cultural, nature and community themes of the Alum Rock neighborhood and San José. The art was conceived and executed by artists Jim Hirshfield and Sonya Ishii of Chapel Hill, NC, whose other public art commissions have included the Broward Boulevard Streetscape (Broward County, FL) and the Historic Electric Streetcar Project (Tampa, FL). The library project incorporated green design principles and was completed with a total project cost of $16.6 million more than $200,000 under budget, with the San Jose Redevelopment Agency funding $3.1 million (total cost includes $5.6 million in land acquisition).

The Dr. Roberto Cruz - Alum Rock Community Branch Library is adjacent to the old library at 75 South White Road, which closed on May 28 to make way for a new parking lot.

Following a dedication ceremony that included remarks from City and Library officials, Library and Youth Commissioners, and KPIX South Bay Bureau Chief Len Ramirez, residents were free to explore the library; partake of refreshments, tours and a book giveaway; and enjoy a broad range of free entertainment. Face painting, costumed storybook characters, storytelling by community representatives including Councilmember Campos, NBC 11 News Reporter Damian Trujillo and Roberto Cruz II, poetry readings by local poet Roberto Duran and Mt. Pleasant High School Students, and musical performances by Mariachi Tapatio and the student choirs of Ryan Elementary and St. John Vianney all helped to make the occasion a memorable one.

The library acknowledges and appreciates the generosity of numerous individuals and organizations that have supported the opening of the Dr. Roberto Cruz - Alum Rock Community Branch Library with their contributions, including the following Major Founding Donors:

Other Founding Donors are: Adam and Alexa Arreola, Ayupan and Rembulat Families, In Memory of William E. Bates, In Memory of Mary Garcia Bernal, In Memory of Michael Albert Caravayo, Tanya and Rick Freudenberger, Paul, Patti, and Kayla Henneke, Ned and Sheila Himmel, Charles B. Kuhn Memorial Fund, A.J. and Charlene Laymon Family, Chung V. Le Family, Jane Light, Pia Moriarty and Bob Hurd, James L. and Eileen Murphy, Mrs. Patricia Ross, Rotary Club of San José East/Evergreen, Wayne and Sandra Savage, Judy and Allan Thompson. Thirty-seven Community Donors also contributed to the branch.

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