September 12, 2008

Pearl Avenue Branch Library opens

By Jeanne C. Carbone
Staff Writer

The long-awaited Pearl Avenue Branch Library opened with fanfare Aug. 9 as city officials and hundreds of eager residents praised the new facility.

It’s official; Library Director Jane Light, District 9 Councilmember Judy Chirco, Library Commission Chair Caroline Martin and Arts Commissioner Aarti Asasthi cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the Pearl Avenue Branch Library.

“This is really an exciting time for the city,” said Library Director Jane Light, who also served as master of ceremonies at the grand opening. “This is the 12th out of 20 new or extended libraries to open as a result of the 2000 Bond Measure. And I’m happy to say that we brought this project in under budget.”

The celebration was equally fitting as Taiko drummers began the ceremony for the crowds who attended. After the program and official ribbon-cutting, there were balloon animals, face painting and a story time-a-thon for the children who were eager to explore their new library stocked with brand new books.

“This is a beautiful place for everyone to enjoy,” said District 9 Councilmember Judy Chirco. “I’m proud of this wonderful asset to the community and resource to all. Thank you to the voters of San Jose who approved the bond funds to build it. Today is a day to celebrate.”

The new Pearl Avenue Branch Library is double the previous building at 14,000 square feet. Designed by Anderson Brulé Architects, it features an Internet café; living room with a fireplace; technology center; a sound-proof teen room; group and quiet study areas; a community room that accommodates 50 people and space for 84 seats and 24 computers. The group and quiet study areas each seat six people, while the story telling area has room for 25. There are 55 parking spaces.

The many large perimeter trees were preserved and the interior bamboo trellises, canopies of leaves, flowers, vines and bug-shaped lights reinforce the commitment to nature in the “LEED” rated green building. The building’s cost was $9,142,000—$1 million under the budget allocated via the November 2000 Library Bond.

The Branch Library Bond Measure provides $212 million over 10 years dedicated to the construction of six new and 14 expanded libraries in San Jose. At this stage, the Branch Bond Development Program is well advanced with 12 projects completed, and seven others in various phases of design and construction. The expanded Willow Glen branch library is scheduled to on Aug. 23.

“This was our library since 1974,” said Dave Fadness, who attended the grand opening with his wife Aiko. “It really blows your socks off, and it’s such a magnet for the kids from 4 to 94!”

The Fadnesses became laureate donors of the new teen room. But Dave Fadness also knew that the budgeted amount only covered the building itself and not the furnishings and equipment needed. He became co-chair along with Jerry Strangis and Jim Cogan of the Friends of Pearl Library Committee. To date they have raised $245,000 through individual and business donors with a target of $300,000. As an added incentive, those donating $100 get their name placed on a wall in the library. Any amount is appreciated.

The San Jose Public Art Program commissioned artist Lynn Goodpasture for the artwork. Four large glass windows with alphabets from ancient scripts are located in the children’s area. They are embedded with photovoltaic cells that collect energy to light the artist-inspired lamp near the entrance. The design honors the diverse ethnicities of the community by exploring the evolving alphabet of native languages and their individual graphic beauty
“Libraries helped make me what I am today,” said Caroline Martin, library commission chair. “My hope is that you use every resource this library has to enhance your own life and to grow your children into thoughtful citizens for the future.”

The Pearl Avenue Branch Library is located at 4270 Pearl Ave. in San Jose. Library hours are Monday, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Library services are available online 24 hours a day, every day, at www.sjlibrary.org.  For more information, call (408) 808-3053.

Area residents welcome the grand opening of the Pearl Avenue Branch Library on Aug. 9. Photos by Jeanne C. Carbone