The different features that will take place in the new East Palo Alto Library (Credit: San Mateo County Libraries Instagram)
There is a lot going on around the world right now. For many around the community I serve, I have seen firsthand how much prioritization there is on making ends meet. Throughout my previous reflection blogs in INFO 287, there has been a consistent theme on the excitement of innovation in not only what’s ahead in the strategy roadmap, but also the different features that will be the highlight with the new East Palo Alto library.
One particular topic I wanted to talk about in the innovation strategy and roadmap are the indoor // outdoor connections with large windows (EPA Library). This is an exciting moment because the intentionality of designing a feature that allows exploration and creativity that inhabits a group of people to socialize and foster is a great way to bring people together. Libraries serve a population within their respective communities that range from age, culture, occupation, and identity (Nyhoff, 2024). Through this exploration, spaces that offer a good amount of privacy to guide their own journal and empowerment for each person is another way to map their own journey inside the library (Nyhoff, 2024). In the action brief, this will convince the city of East Palo Alto that by building a new library, they will create a sustainable environment, which will benefit the community and drive growth because libraries are a beacon of light and the added feature to provide a bigger space will create infinite opportunities of radiation and positivity.
One of the main goals with creating a bigger space outside (as well as inside) is creating a civic common space with wonderful synergy between the arts, library activities, and programs (San Mateo County Library). Building the new library next to the EPACENTER will create a symmetry within the community where residents can access library services and arts education as well as benefit both spaces (San Mateo County Library). Additionally, it will be more energy efficient and will allow natural light to come through without using actual energy for turning the lights on (LPA, 2022). It is important during the times we live in through climate change that anything small to reduce carbon emissions can make a difference through the quality of life everyday people live. It is why the HVAC system in the new library will provide better natural ventilation without using energy to run air conditioning (US Department of Energy). Studies have shown that being in the open space outside is a great strategy to improve mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression (Anxiety and Depression Association of America). In general, this constitutes what the vision looks like. Through these initiatives, the new East Palo Alto Library will inhibit a sustainable environment, not to mention the nice landscaping too!
Other libraries that have taken advantage of the renovations that have taken place in San Mateo County Library is Atherton Library, which is approximately a 16 minute drive from East Palo Alto Library. The new library was completed in 2022 and, similar to East Palo Alto, wanted to provide residents and civic leaders a central place to gather, learn, work, and belonging within the community while also reducing environmental footprint (WRNSStudio). Another library that was recently renovated is Brisbane Library, which is about a 40 minute drive to East Palo Alto Library. Brisbane’s library opens fully to the outdoors and the composition is a “light filled gesture”, that links the street, throughout the building, the courtyard, bringing the outdoors in and extending the indoors outside (Moreno, 2022). The windows, such as the large skylight and accordion doors, draw in light and views (Moreno, 2022). Additionally, statistics show that new library renovations draw in a increased visitor count and more items being circulated with Atherton Library having a 43% increase in visitor count (compared to Fiscal Year 2023-2024 to Fiscal Year 2017-2018) and a 41% increase in item circulation (compared to Fiscal Year 2023-2024 to Fiscal Year 2017-2018) (Pacifica Library Project). Brisbane Library had a 15% increase in visitor count (compared to Fiscal Year 2023-2024 to Fiscal Year 2017-2018) as well as a 61% increase in item circulation (Pacifica Library Project). Overall, the numbers from Atherton and Brisbane are there as the momentum for the new East Palo Alto library will have a positive, direct impact within the community.
As far as the community engagement and project timeline, everything is going according to plan with Spring 2026 being the timeframe to complete everything from the ground up (EPA Library). None of it will be possible without some type of connection as to why East Palo Alto Library needed a renovation. In 2017-2018, the City of East Palo Alto, County of San Mateo County, and San Mateo County Library Joint Powers Authority (JPA) found that the existing East Palo Alto Library presented significant barriers to the effective delivery of library services to East Palo Alto residents (EPA Library). Last year on March 5th, 2024, the City of East Palo Alto retained Noll & Tam Architects of Berkeley, CA to provide design services for the new library (EPA Library). In turn, the conceptual design that was previously developed by wHY Architects is being revisited to reflect current community needs (EPA Library).
There will be many opportunities within the community to engage and have their voices being heard. The idea behind it is to collect input in order to make the library a second home to many residents (EPA Library Survey). This is a significant opportunity because this enhances what we can learn from them and see what their needs are (Lenstra, Baraboff, 2024). Obviously, frequent patrons who visit the library will be informed through engagement and advertising. Another potential idea would be connections and networking that has been established through outreach programs and many events hosted in the library. The energy of a new library and its expansion as well as new features that don’t exist currently at EPA will definitely bring attention towards the initiative to promote down the road. And of course, social media. As a librarian aide, I can envision the moment Spring 2026 takes over and the opportunity to not only ask staff, but the community for feedback on how they feel about the new library space because ultimately this is a collective effort that will benefit everyone through QR codes, opportunities to give out advertisements and fill out a survey in the front desk, and walking around the inside // outside space (Casey Stephens, 2008). The feedback is an expansion to the continued effort of what the world would look like in 5 to 10 years. The sustainability adaptation and marketability will be important to drive the effort to make change because it is an important storytelling element that can be passed on to.
In conclusion, a lot has been briefed on the positive changes within the area of East Palo Alto, CA and what next year will look like. From a standpoint of having a bigger space outside and inside (with large windows), this was an area I wanted to highlight because of the opportunities it can provide to bring people together. The bigger space can provide ample area to meditate, read a book, grab lunch, host events, or promote an activity while catching a light breeze on a sunny day. From a personal standpoint, it is like moving to a new house. I’m looking forward to seeing what the final revision looks like and working at the new library.
References
A Net Zero Library Blends Indoor and Outdoor Spaces. (2022, July 27). LPA Design Studios. Retrieved March 13, 2025 from https://lpadesignstudios.com/catalyst/a-net-zero-library-blends-indoor-and-outdoor-spaces
Atherton Library A modern library rooted in small town charm (n.d). WRNSSTUDIO. Retrieved March 13, 2025 from https://wrnsstudio.com/projects/atherton-library/
Brisbane Public Library (n.d). Siegal & Strain Architects. Retrieved March 13, 2025 from https://www.siegelstrain.com/project/brisbane-library/
Building Projects (n.d). San Mateo County Libraries. Retrieved March 13, 2025 from https://smcl.org/building-projects/
Casey, M. & Stephens, M. (2008, April 15). Measuring Progress. Tame the Web. Retrieved March 13, 2025 from https://tametheweb.com/2008/04/15/measuring-progress/
East Palo Alto is Getting a New Library! (n.d). San Mateo County Libraries. Retrieved March 13, 2025 from https://www.epalibrary.org/
Help us plan the future East Palo Alto Library! (n.d). San Mateo County Libraries. Retrieved March 13, 2025 from https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EPALibSurveyEn
Hoge, E. & Wulf, C. (2023, September 12). The Case for Green Space: A Cost-Effective Mental Health Resource. Anxiety & Depression Association of America. Retrieved March 13, 2025 from https://adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/blog-posts/consumer-professional/case-green-space-cost-effective#:~:text=Urban%20Green%20Spaces%20and%20Mental,and%20depression%20among%20city%20dwellers
Kao, C. (2022, April 20). New East Palo Alto Library Planned Next to EPACENTER at 1950 Bay Road. East Palo Alto Sun. Retrieved February 24, 2025 from https://epasun.org/new-east-palo-alto-library-planned-next-to-epacenter-at-1950-bay-road/
Lenstra, N. & Barbakoff, A. (2024, March 1). Working Hand in Hand How to conduct community-led planning. American Libraries. Retrieved March 13, 2025 from https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2024/03/01/working-hand-in-hand/
Levine, J. (2024, November 22). Future-Proofing Libraries Through Flexible Design. Library Journal. Retrieved March 13, 2025 from https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/future-proofing-libraries-through-flexible-design-lj221122
Moreno, S. (2022, July 14). A New Library is a Living Room for a Whole Town. Metropolis. Retrieved March 13, 2025 from https://metropolismag.com/projects/brisbane-california-library/
Natural Ventilation (n.d). U.S. Department of Energy. Retrieved March 13, 2025 from https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/natural-ventilation
Nyhoff, K. (2024, June 4). Turning the page: Rethinking public library design to better serve the community. Cannon Design. Retrieved March 13, 2025 from https://www.cannondesign.com/perspectives/rethinking-public-library-design-serve-community
Pacifica Library Project – Better Libraries for Pacifica (n.d). Pacifica Library Project. Retrieved March 13, 2025 from https://pacificalibraryproject.com/
Slideshow Synthesized from the Innovation Strategy and Roadmap
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