After a year of construction, the West Branch of the Berkeley Public Library is set to open in late December.
The library is a one-story, 9,300-square-foot space — larger than the previous building by one-third. New features include a book-return room with an exterior and interior book drop, increased computer access, more comfortable seating and skylights, which will allow for more natural light. There also will be a teen room and more space for Berkeley Reads, a library-sponsored adult literacy program, and for tutoring.
In fall of 2008, voters approved a local ballot measure allowing the city to issue bonds to raise money to renovate, expand and make seismic and access improvements to four neighborhood branch libraries. Construction on the West Branch started in May 2012.
The West Branch, located on University Avenue near San Pablo Avenue, was constructed in 1923 and was expanded in 1974. It was demolished to make way for an ADA-accessible building that is seismically safe.
However, the Concerned Library Users, a group of community members, filed a lawsuit questioning the legality of using the measure to fund the demolition of the West Branch, because the measure does not mention the demolition of buildings. The lawsuit was settled in September 2011, when the group agreed to the demolition after the city created a $100,000 fund to preserve historic buildings.
The community has been involved throughout the rebuilding process. Service and facilities surveys were conducted, and library-sponsored community meetings were held during the different design phases.
According to West Branch supervising librarian Amanda Myers, the library will be the country’s first “zero net energy” library and will have zero carbon emissions annually.
“The library will be a feather in Berkeley’s cap for demonstrating the city’s commitment to a green future by the building’s reduction of energy and light consumption,” Myers said.
While construction proceeds, Downtown Berkeley’s Central Library houses the adult literacy program, and a mobile book van serves West Berkeley community members.
The reopening of the library originally had been scheduled for July, but a few setbacks — including damage to a 70-foot redwood tree that was supposed to be the library garden’s centerpiece — led to delays. Other challenges included removing soil from the building site and working close to property lines.
“I heard from many patrons that they miss ‘their library,’ ” Myers said. “My hope for the new West library is that it is well loved by its diverse community.”
Contact Shannon Carroll at [email protected]