San José’s Carnegie Library Breaks Ground for Expansion
Community Celebration Marks Another Page in 100 Year History
December 15, 2007 -
Eastside residents joined city and library officials today to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new East San José Carnegie Branch Library. At the close of the brief ceremony, the audience was invited to inscribe "dream rocks," which will later be incorporated into the foundation of the library.
"The new East San José Carnegie branch library will be a valuable community resource, preserving a long tradition of learning that began with the generosity of philanthropist Andrew Carnegie 100 years ago," said Mayor Chuck Reed. "Thanks to our residents' support, San José has been able to build new branch libraries throughout the city."
The new construction, a unique design by Gould Evans, Inc. (San Francsico, CA) is a blend of old and new, preserving the original Carnegie structure (which celebrated its 100th anniversary earlier this year) while incorporating features that have become standard for all new library construction in San José. Highlights of the new branch will include an Internet Café, Community Living Room with a fireplace, Technology Center, Group and Quiet Study Areas, and a Community Room that will accommodate 45 persons, as well as significantly more space inside for seating, collections and computers.
"Libraries are a place where people of all ages can come together and explore new worlds and new ideas through joy of reading," said Councilmember Sam Liccardo. "This is a great day for downtown residents as we celebrate the beginning of construction on a library that will be a legacy to our entire community."
The 11,658 sq. ft. branch library will replace the previous 7,281 sq. ft. facility at the same address (1102 E. Santa Clara St.), itself the product of an earlier expansion completed in 1981. The new library is expected to open in 2009.
Public art for the project will be completed by Joyce Culter Shaw of San Diego, CA. Total project cost is budgeted at $9,248,000 million.
Onset of construction, managed by Farotte Construction Co. Inc. (Gilroy, CA) also marks the beginning of fundraising efforts to furnish and stock the library for opening day, projected to occur in 2009. Those interested in supporting this effort may contact the San José Public Library Foundation at (408) 808-2174.
East San José Carnegie Branch Library is the fourteenth branch library bond project to break ground. The Branch Library Bond Measure, approved in November 2000, provides $212 million over ten years dedicated to the construction of six new and fourteen expanded branch libraries in San José. All but two of the planned projects are now at some stage of design, construction or completion. Visit www.newsanjoselibraries.com for updates on branch library development.
For more information, contact:
• Lorraine Oback, San José Public Library, at (408)
808-2176
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