Community Celebration Marks Opening of First Library Serving San José's Edenvale Area
November 3, 2007 -
San José residents gathered Saturday to celebrate the opening of a 22,222 square foot community library at 101 Branham Lane East - the first to serve the Edenvale neighborhood. The library's design includes the standard features of all new San José branch library construction.
The Edenvale Branch Library is easy to find, being located at the corner of Branham Lane East and Monterey Road. The branch features an Internet café, community living room with a fireplace, tech center, group and quiet study areas, and a community room that will accommodate 100 persons, as well as generous space for seating, collections and computers. Free WiFi access will be available during library hours.
"I am delighted that we are opening San Jose's tenth new branch library," said Mayor Chuck Reed. "Libraries are important community gathering places, and Edenvale residents have eagerly awaited the opening of their new branch library. I am sure that residents of all ages will enjoy having easy access to a library in their neighborhood."
The library worked with community representatives, City of San José staff, CWA Architects (Glendale, California), and John Plane Construction, Inc. (Brisbane, California), to achieve a vision of dynamic spaces and experiences that address the needs and preferences of local residents.
"I am very excited by this great opportunity for the community," said Councilmember Forrest Williams, "this is the first brand new library in District 2 in the past twenty years."
"Its proximity to the Carolyn Davis, Christopher, Edenvale and Valley Christian Schools; Boys and Girls Club; and the future Edenvale Community Center makes it a unique place for students and families in the neighborhood to get together to read, study, do research, or simply chat around the fireplace," he continued. "It is a gateway into the Edenvale Community."
Public art at the new library was created by Troy Corliss with collaborating glass artist Elin Christopherson. Glass and steel plant forms create a canopy suspended in the library Marketplace. Four California native plants are represented: redbud, purple needle grass, California buckwheat and black walnut. The artist was inspired by the natural environment he knew growing up in the Santa Clara Valley.
The new facility is the tenth library to be completed using funds from local bond measures approved in 2000 by San José voters. The Branch Library Bond Measure provides $212 million over 10 years dedicated to the construction of six new and 14 expanded libraries in San José.
"Each new library opening brings us closer to our goal of providing service to all residents that meets the needs of 21st Century customers," said Library Director Jane Light, "not only for information, but for a sense of community. The spacious and stimulating environments exemplified by our new libraries encourage visitors to linger; to discover, explore and enjoy."
The library project was completed on-time and under-budget. The total project cost, including public art, was $9.7 million. Generous contributions from the local community helped to furnish the interior, providing furniture and equipment. The Edenvale project is the recipient of a $50,000 grant from AT&T, part of an overall pledge of $200,000 to the San José Public Library Foundation branch fundraising campaign (www.sjplf.org/campaign.html) and the single largest corporate donation to date.
Following the dedication ceremony that included remarks from city and library officials, residents were able to explore the library and enjoy free entertainment and activities for kids.
For more information, contact:
• Lorraine Oback, San José Public Library, at (408)
808-2176
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