Projects in Process: Community Champions Support the Campaign
All over town, signs of the future of libraries in San Jose are becoming an exciting reality. Dramatic new structures, in various stages of completion, are rising in city neighborhoods. Each building is dramatic, attractive and unique — designed to echo the historic and social nature of the community it is designed to serve.
Leaders in these communities have stepped forward to assist the Foundation in generating local support for their local new Branch Library. The strategies they use are different. In some neighborhoods, the Neighborhood Association has taken the initiative to involve the community in the library project. In others, it's the Business Associations. Elsewhere, the energetic advocacy of individual citizens has been the catalyst for action.
The Foundation is grateful to all these individuals and groups who are helping the San Jose Public Library system "branch out — from dream to reality." We call them our "community champions," and warmly appreciate their initiative, dedication, and enthusiasm.
Here are some snapshots of several projects currently in progress.
Edenvale Branch Library
The April 1, 2006 groundbreaking ceremony of the Edenvale Branch Library marked the start of construction of the new 22,200 square foot library. This new branch will serve an area straddling U.S. Highway 101 in southeast San Jose that has never had its own branch. Users will be drawn from residents currently using Pearl Avenue, Santa Teresa and Seventrees Branches.
As with other recently completed bond-funded projects, the new library will have the look and feel of an upscale bookstore. Highlights of the new branch include an Internet Café, Community Living Room with a fireplace, Technology Lab, Group and Quiet Study Areas, a Community Room that will accommodate 100 persons, and ample space for seating, collections and computers. On-site parking will accommodate 76 vehicles.
Artists rendering of the new Edenvale Library
Pearl Avenue Branch Library
Residents in the Pearl Avenue neighborhood joined San Jose officials on September 30, 2006 to celebrate the beginning of construction for a new 14,000 square-foot branch library to replace the original 7,116 square foot library that opened on the same site in 1971.
“It is always exciting to see a dream become a reality,” said Councilmember Judy Chirco, who represents the Pearl Avenue area on the city council. “The groundbreaking for the Pearl Avenue Branch Library is the next stage of a wonderful dream that will soon be a reality for our community.”
The new library, which will be built on the original site at 4270 Pearl Avenue, will have the look and feel of an attractive bookstore. Building design is by Anderson Brule Architects, Inc. of San Jose, and the project will be built by Bogard Construction, Inc. of Santa Cruz. Public art for the project will be completed by Lynn Goodpost. Total project budget is $9.3 million.
While the library is under construction, Pearl Avenue library patrons will be welcome at any of San Jose Public Library’s many locations. The following branches will prove most convenient:
• Seven Trees Branch Library, 3597 Cas Drive, (408) 629-4535
• Almaden Valley Library and Community Center, 6445 Camden Avenue (408) 808-3040
• Cambrian Library, 1780 Hillsdale Avenue, (408) 808-3080
Onset of construction also marks the beginning of fundraising efforts to furnish and stock the library for opening day, projects to occur in Fall, 2008. A committee, lead by community activist, Dave Fadness, and co-chaired by Honorary Chair City Councilmember Judy Chirco, includes volunteers Jerry Strangis and Jim Cogan.
Artists rendering of the new Pearl Avenue Library
Joyce Ellington Branch Library
Residents of the Northside community jointed San Jose officials to celebrate the beginning of construction for a new 14,500 square-foot library. The new branch library is named for longtime civic activist, the late Joyce Ellington, a founding member of the Northside Neighborhood Association.
The expanded library will replace the original 6,912 square-foot library that had served the area since 1976. The new Joyce Ellington Branch Library will be built on the original site at 491 Empire Street with the look and feel of an attractive bookstore. There will be significantly more space for seating, collections and computers, and for the first time, a dedicated parking lot with 30 spaces.
The library building design is by Tetra Design Architects & Planners of Los Angeles, and the project will be built by John Plane Construction, Inc. of Brisbane. Public art for the project will be completed by Masayuki Nagase and Lucy Liew. Total project budget is $9.7 million.
Artists rendering of the new Joyce Ellington Library
Willow Glen Branch Library
Residents in the Willow Glen neighborhood joined San Jose officials to celebrate the beginning of construction for a new 13,338 square –foot branch library to replace the original 5,330 square-foot library that opened o the same site in 1949. As 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.
At the request of the Willow Glen community, the new building will be built on the original site at 1157 Minnesota Avenue and its design will preserve the landmark large oak tree at that location. Building design is by Krong Design, Inc. and JCA Architects of San Jose, and the project will be built by Ralph Larsen and Sons. Public art for the project will be completed by David Ruth. Total project budget is approximately $9 million.
While the library is under construction, Willow Glen patrons will be welcome at any of San Jose Public Library’s amny locations. The follow branches will prove most convenient:
- Biblioteca Latinoamericana, 921 S. First St., (408) 294-1237
- Cambrian, 1780 Hillsdale Avenue, (408) 808-3090
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 150 E. San Fernando St., (408) 808-2000
- Rose Garden, 1580 Naglee Ave., (408) 808-3070
Tully Community, 880 Tully Rd., (408) 808-3030
Artists rendering of the new Willow Glen Library