The Library Board Pushes For Early Approval Of A New Building, Upgrades
March election could offer chance for funding grant
Redevelopment funds eyed
By Nathan R. Huff
Library lovers, under the banner of The Friends of the Library and the Los Gatos Public Library Board, are gunning for a new library to bring the town up to date and beyond.
The board aims to take advantage of a state proposition on the March ballot, which, if passed, would give the town of Los Gatos the opportunity to apply for $6.5 million in grants for a new library.
The board and Friends of the Library are hopeful that the grants, combined with a study comparing the Los Gatos library to others in like-sized towns, will move the council to commit to funding a new library.
"The Town Council has not said, 'We're going to build a new library,' but they seem supportive," said John Housley, library board president.
The independent study was commissioned by the two groups earlier this year. Proceeds from Friends of the Library book sales and private donations from years ago funded the study. Housley said the board did not approach the council for funding because they didn't want to spend taxpayers' money on a study which may have concluded that there was no need for improved library services.
Instead, the study found that Los Gatos's public library falls short of per capita state standards, with less than half the floor space recommended by the U.S. Library Commission.
"This is a very substandard facility," said Gloria Grimes, library director.
The study's summary points out many problems with the library and makes a myriad of suggestions. Suggestions for service improvements are already being acted upon, Grimes said, but solving the overriding problem cited by the study--lack of space--will require a new facility.
In response to the study and the upcoming election, the board decided to go ahead with architectural drawing for the new facility. Housley said the board and Friends of the Library wanted to receive public input on the design. To brainstorm ideas for a new library, the board formed the 17-member Library Visioning Committee made up of interested residents. Members took bus trips to tour newer libraries in Bay Area communities.
The board has been meeting regularly since then, and continues to invite the public to offer input on the services they believe a new library should offer.
Housley said that, although people have their own ideas and suggestions, several common themes have emerged. For example, with both parents working in so many households, the need for a place for teens to come and do homework or group projects after school has been repeatedly noted. Housley said that while most libraries have children's and adult sections, Los Gatos would like to have a young adults' area serving the 13- to 18-year-old crowd.
"[Teens] don't generally have the needs of an adult library, but they don't want to be considered children," Housley said, adding that the idea of separating the young adult section from the rest of the liberary with glass would allow teens to work together without disturbing other patrons.
Other suggestions so far have included gas fireplaces, a small fundraising gift shop staffed by Friends of the Library volunteers, and a coffeeshop. And of course, any new library would emphasize computers.
Rough estimates put the cost of a new library somewhere in the neighborhood of $10 million to $12 million. The grant would fund 65 percent of the cost. If the library does receive the state grant, the board is hopeful the town will consider using redevelopment money to make up the remaining funding.
The possibility of putting a bond measure before Los Gatos voters is an option, if the proposition fails or is Los Gatos does not receive a grant. The board and Friends of the Library hope private citizens will join the council in funding the project, if that does occur. Housley said bricks engraved with the names of generous community members could be used to pave an outdoor patio.
Currently, the library receives $1.4 million a year from the town. The library was last renovated 25 years ago, when it gained an additional 3,000 square feet. Grimes said she has put shelves on every possible wall, and former staff areas now house back issues of the library's periodicals. The library also fails to meet Americans With Disabilities Act specifications and lacks tutoring areas and a local history collection.
Another potential beneficiary of a new library could be the Los Gatos Police Department--its own cramped quarters adjoin the library. Housley, half-joking, said the Police Department expansion into the library would make perfect sense. "The downstairs looks like a prison anyway."
The next meeting of the Library Board is Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Neighborhood Center, 208. E. Main St.
Los Gatos, California Since 1881
