Branch Improvement Program Press Release:
Meet Your North Branch and South Branch Project Architects
September 2009
Berkeley loves its libraries, and the Berkeley Public Library invites the whole community to attend the first of many neighborhood meetings to discuss branch improvements. Please come and share ideas, meet the architects, learn about the projects' scopes, and ask questions. We value your input!
South Branch
1901 Russell Street at MLK, Jr. Way
Thursday, September 17th
6:30 - 8:00 PM
North Branch
1170 The Alameda at Hopkins
Wednesday, September 23rd
6:30 - 8:00 PM
Berkeley Public Library is embarking on a most vital program to renovate, expand and make structural, seismic and access improvements at its four branch libraries as well as the Tool Lending Library, including the restoration and refurbishment of historic features. The neighborhood branch library buildings are in great need of these upgrades in order to make them not only seismically safe and ADA-accessible but also updated to meet modern library users' needs. "This is a tremendously exciting time for the Berkeley Public Library and the entire community," said Board of Library Trustees President and City Councilmember Darryl Moore. "Within just a few years Berkeley will have safe, accessible, and modern neighborhood libraries for the new millennium. Community members with whom I have spoken are thrilled to know that their branch library buildings will be safer, easier to use, more modern, and more comfortable."
During Spring 2009 selections were made by the Board of Library Trustees, and approved by the City Council, of Architectural Resources Group (www.argsf.com) in Association with Tom Eliot Fisch (http://www.tomeliotfisch.com/) as the architectural design team for North Branch and Field Paoli (www.fieldpaoli.com) as the architectural design team for South Branch and Tool Lending Library. Architectural Resources Group has a wealth of experience in doing historic renovations, including the renovation of the San Francisco Public Library's Golden Gate Valley Branch and the historic Angel Island Immigration Station. Field Paoli has designed many public libraries and neighborhood community buildings, including San Jose Public Library's Almaden Library & Community Center.
In support of the Berkeley Public Library's Branch Renovation Program, the Berkeley Public Library Foundation (BPLF) has undertaken a $3 million capital campaign that will fund all furniture, fixtures and equipment vital to the life of each branch. "The Berkeley Public Library Foundation is thrilled to begin this campaign. The branches need to be updated. We are excited to help complete the transformation of one of our community's greatest treasures," said BPLF Executive Director Roxanne Figueroa.
The City of Berkeley and the Berkeley Public Library look forward to engaging the whole community in the expansion and renovation of their Berkeley Public Library neighborhood branch libraries. For updates on the branch projects, please check bulletin boards in any neighborhood branch location or online at http://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/about_the_library/b-renovation.php. To receive updates by email, please contact Alan Bern, Community Relations Librarian, alb2@ci.berkeley.ca.us.