Issues:
Older Adults and Veterans Services
The County of San Mateo is investing in libraries to ensure that everyone, regardless of income or origin, has access to information and knowledge. Public libraries provide valuable meeting space, support democracy by providing the tools people need to make informed decisions and promote life-long learning.
At a Glance
The Board of Supervisors has allocated funding for library renovation projects in South San Francisco, Daly City, East Palo Alto and North Fair Oaks and for new libraries in Pacifica, Brisbane and Half Moon Bay.
| City/Library | FY 2013-14 | FY 2014-15 | FY 2015-16 |
| South San Francisco | $400,000 | $500,000 | |
| Daly City | $100,000 | ||
| Half Moon Bay | $500,000 | ||
| East Palo Alto | $500,000 | ||
| North Fair Oaks | $500,000 | ||
| Pacifica | $500,000 | ||
| Brisbane | $300,000 |
Progress
Mid-Year Update, FY 2015-2016
City of Daly City: Serramonte Library ($100,000)
The design of the Serramonte Library bathroom accessibility remodel recently received approval and will go out for bid shortly. It is anticipated that construction will start in May 2016.
City of Redwood City: Fair Oaks Library ($500,000)
Huntsman Group Architects and YEI Engineers have been engaged to work on the Fair Oaks Library remodel project. The architects and engineers completed a site survey on January 12 and met with County and City staff on February 18. Staff are reviewing design alternatives so that a final plan can be approved. Depending on service operations and options for phasing of construction, a timeline for the work to begin is currently being determined.
City of South San Francisco: Grand Avenue Library ($900,000)
At the August 26, 2015 meeting of the South San Francisco City Council, Council accepted$500,000 in Round Two Measure A funding and formally committed a local match of$500,000. At this same meeting, an award of construction contract was approved to proceed with the renovation project. In September and October, all library materials and furniture were removed and work began on the plumbing infrastructure upgrades and the excavation for the outdoor room. Staff selected furniture, fixtures and the color palette and is now in the process of finalizing computer and a/v equipment selection. The project timeline has been extended to April 2016 for end of construction, and a soft opening is planned for May 2016.
City of Brisbane: New Library Planning ($300,000)
The Board of Supervisors on March 29, 2016, approved a $300,000 grant for a new library in the city of Brisbane. The funds will go toward planning and design costs.
The current library, located at 250 Visitacion Ave., has served the community since 1981 but, at 2,721 square feet and on the second floor of a two-story building, it was found in an initial Needs Assessment to be too small to meet present and future community library service needs. The City has identified several funding sources to help pay for the new Library and is exploring others, including community fundraising. Current plans call for a new library facility of approximately 7,000 square feet to be located across the street from the current library, which will likely continue to serve as a venue for community-wide programs.
City of Half Moon Bay: New Library Planning Activities
At a community workshop held in November, Noll and Tam architects presented three alternative designs for the new library building and lead discussions on the topics of building "massing," character,and landscaping. This conversation built upon topics raised during previous community meetings and in a community-wide survey. On December 1st,the Half Moon Bay City Council unanimously authorized the design team to proceed with the new Library project based on a revised program area of 22,000 square feet, and approved the conceptual design presented by Noll and Tam at the meeting. SMCL staff are currently working closely with the design team on planning the schematic design.
City of Pacifica: New Library Planning Activities
On November 23rd, the Pacifica City Council unanimously voted to continue progress toward building a new library.Approved next steps include hiring an architect to prepare a schematic design, appropriating sufficient funding to match funds available from County Measure A funds for library planning and design activities, and initiating the process for a planned bond measure to pay for the new library, with the intention of placing the measure on the November 2016 ballot. Additionally, at its January 11th meeting, the City Council adopted a resolution creating the Library Advisory Committee, a citizens’ task force to lead communication for the project as it moves forward.
Recent News
Tech and Tradition Merge at South San Francisco's Grand Avenue Library
The Board of Supervisors has allocated $900,000 in Measure A funding to South San Francisco to renovate and update the Grand Avenue Branch Library. Learn about this valuable project and how one woman's dedication helped to build the city's first public library 100 years ago.
The hand-crafted window frames (top photo) will be refurbished. The library will retain its neoclassical exterior (bottom photo).
Library Funding Approved for Brisbane
In March 2016, the Board of Supervisors allocated $300,000 to the City of Brisbane to assist efforts to build a new, larger public library to replace the current one (below). Learn more.