Construction of the new 56,000 square foot Mitchell Park Library & Community Center began in September 2010. Now completed, the new building features a two-story library and a single story community center built around a beautiful courtyard featuring an oak tree that was preserved.
Main Library is now open!
The improvements to Main included the addition of approximately 4,000 square feet to the current 26,300 sf library. A new wing with restrooms and a 100-person community meeting room were added. Four small group study rooms are now available. The interior of the existing library was reconfigured and totally upgraded with the addition of air conditioning. All the improvements were made with consideration for the historic nature of the existing building. Read the Historic Structure Report here.
The cost of the work at the Mitchell Park Library & Community Center, temporary library, Downtown and Main libraries is funded by the $76 million bond measure (Measure N) passed in November 2008 by Palo Alto voters. In May, 2010, the City Council authorized the first issuance and sale of the Measure N general obligation bond in an amount not to exceed $60 million. In June, the City sold bonds that yielded $58.5 million for these projects. A property tax levy of $17.11 per $100,000 of assessed valuation was established by Council in August to fund the debt service payments on the newly issued bonds. The renovation of the College Terrace Library is funded by $4 million in city infrastructure funds.
The Palo Alto Library Foundationmet their goals and helped ensure that our libraries are welcoming and comfortable. The Foundation ends in July, 2015.
