Community "Farewell Celebration" Marks Transition Point for Seventrees Branch Library
Final Day of Service Includes Groundbreaking for New Community Center and Branch Library
May 20, 2008 -
A community celebration on Saturday, May 31 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. marks the last day of service for Seventrees Branch Library (3597 Cas Dr.). Music, multicultural performances
and storytelling, along with face painting and balloonists are scheduled to make the last day a memorable one capping four decades of service to the community. A groundbreaking ceremony at 11
a.m. for the planned 58,000 sq. ft. two-story combined facility housing the new Seven Trees
Community Center and Branch Library on the site of the current Solari Community Center (3590 Cas Dr.) lends a note of anticipation to an otherwise bittersweet occasion. During the construction period, Seven Trees area residents are welcome at all San José Public Library branches, but will probably find
the following to be most convenient: Tully Community Branch Library, Edenvale Branch Library, Evergreen Branch Library.
In just over a decade since voters first approved supplemental funding to finance library books and improvements in programming, Seventrees Branch Library's circulation has nearly doubled, from 249,123 to 450,000 annually. In one year alone (Fiscal Year 2005/06 to 2006/07), visits to Seventrees Library increased by 9.1%. The time is clearly ripe to usher in a new era of enhanced service to the community, with an environment conducive to mixed uses by all ages; from toddlers to
seniors and everyone in between.
Seventrees Branch Library first opened in 1967, its 6,769 sq. ft. sufficient for the time. San
Jose's population has more than doubled since then and the demand for library services has grown
commensurately. During that time, the Library's circulation system has evolved from a manually
operated checkout system with transaction slips to a fully automated system enabling online access to
numerous other services besides. Programming has expanded from weekly preschool storytime and a
study hall environment to an active and engaging community gathering spot with a variety of programs
to appeal to all ages; e.g., computer, parenting and citizenship classes; author visits, lectures and poetry
readings; video game tournaments and talent showcases. Collections have expanded to include Internet
delivered databases and an expanding array of new media, from CDs to DVDs, and eBooks to
downloadable audio books.
Following closure on May 31 and demolition of the old community center and library
structures, work will begin on construction of the new combined community center and library - a
model that has already proven hugely popular in the Almaden Valley - with space in the library for
group study, storytelling and a community room, as well as significantly more room for computers,
seating and collections. The community center will feature a cardio-fitness area, senior programs, early
childhood recreation programs, The Tracy Wilson Youth Center and much more.
Public art for the project will be completed by San Jose-based artists Sam Rodriguez and Matt Rodriguez who are creating artwork inside the Library, and San Diego-based artist Roman De Salvo, who is creating artwork for the exterior of the facility. Total project cost is budgeted at $35,202,567 million.
Seven Trees Community Center and Branch Library will be located at 3590 Cas Drive across the street from the old library site. Opening is projected for 2010.
For more information, contact:
• Lorraine Oback, San José Public Library, at (408) 808-2176
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