The Belvedere-Tiburon library will reopen on Saturday after extensive renovation work.
The $17 million renovation and upgrade adds a digital lab, updates technology and creates more space for children, youth and programs, said Crystal Duran, library director.
“Whether you’re looking for a quiet spot to read by the fireplace or want to tinker with robots, we have something for everyone,” she said. “I can’t wait to see the community explore, create, collaborate and learn in the new spaces. The library staff and board look forward to welcoming the community back.”
The grand opening ceremony begins Saturday at 10:30 am at 1501 Tiburon Blvd. It will include performances by Reed School choirs, a ribbon cutting, open house, circus show, petting zoo and food trucks.
New additions include a youth library with a dedicated hangout featuring learning resources, digital equipment and craft supplies; a children’s library designed for families to encourage literacy development; and an all-ages makerspace, or lab, filled with a 3D printer, laser cutter, coding computers, virtual reality equipment and a recording booth, Duran said.
There will also be a digital lab dedicated to individual and small group tuition in various media and digital skills; an art gallery to showcase the work of local artists and provide opportunities for cultural enrichment; Meeting rooms with reservable spaces perfect for tutoring, local service club meetings and small businesses, and a used book store with sales to support library programs and services, she said.
“There’s something special about walking in through the main entrance on Tiburon Boulevard and walking into the art gallery, only to walk a few more steps and you’re clearly in a library,” Duran said.
The nave and reading alcoves, donor rooms and staff workplaces were renovated. A new civic plaza includes outdoor common spaces with seating and views of Zelinsky Park, the Railroad March and Tiburon Ridge, Duran said.
Duran was the former director of the Imperial County Free Library. She took over in January from outgoing 25-year veteran Debbie Mazzolini, the library’s first director.
The library has grown over the decades, among other things due to the expansion of childcare and the integration of the library in municipal committees and public art projects. In 1996 the library moved from today’s post office to its current location.
The pandemic dramatically slowed the reopening process due to the unavailability of subcontractors and rising material costs, but a broad constituency of local donors helped push the project to completion.
“Thanks to the pro-civilian citizens of Belvedere and Tiburon, the community now has a beautiful, updated, and expanded library,” said Ken Weil, chairman of the Belvedere Tiburon Library Agency.
The library is managed by the Belvedere Tiburon Library Agency, whose board consists of representatives from Tiburon Town Council, Belvedere City Council and the Reed Union School District.
Belvedere Mayor Sally Wilkinson will be among a group of ribbon cutters, she said.
“This has been a long project and we’re thrilled that the opening of the library is coming together,” she said. “We have an enormous thank you to so many who have donated to make this possible. The library is an important part of our community and it’s wonderful that they managed to do that.”
Other ribbon cutters will include local students, former library officials, and Steve Silberstein, a donor and Belvedere resident for 25 years.
“I love the library. The new signing is fabulous,” he said. “We’ve waited a long time for this. It’s a great community resource.”
Tiburon City Council member Holli Thier said she will attend the event.
“The opening of Tiburon’s new library is the opening of new opportunities for our entire community,” she said. “From the books that take our minds elsewhere to the innovative makerspace, teen room, art gallery and resources for seniors, our new library will be a place for everyone.”
Tiburon City Council Member Noah Griffin quoted author and activist Bryant McGill: “People are living books. The true library of life is community.
“In Tiburon we have both,” he added. “This is an exciting day for our city.”
The project was funded by about $16 million in community donations, Wilkinson said. Belvedere contributed $150,000 in public funds from America’s bailout plan, she said. Thier said Tiburon contributed $600,000.
There are hundreds of donors who have made a donation of $2,000 or more to the project and are eligible for the Community Donor Wall. There are less than 100 spots left, but submissions are still open this month at bit.ly/3S0evlY.