November 13, 2007

Check it out!

Edenvale Branch Library opens it doors

By Jeanne C. Carbone
Staff Writer

Several hundred enthusiastic residents and city officials welcomed the grand opening of the Edenvale Branch Library on Nov. 3.

The Edenvale Branch Library is the newest facility to open under the budget source of the 2000 Library Bond.

“Opening a library is one of my favorite things to do as a mayor,” said Mayor Chuck Reed before the ribbon cutting. “What you’re going to have in there is access to the world’s cumulative knowledge of thousands of years and millions of people. We are delighted to have this beautiful, fantastic building available to the public.”

Reed, along with District 2 Councilmember Forrest Williams, Youth Commissioner James H. Hill III, Library Commission Chair Caroline Martin,and Arts Commissioner Sharon Gustafson spoke in tribute to the completion of the project. Library Director Jane Light served as the master of ceremonies.

In a particular poignant moment, Reed asked former Mayor Ron Gonzales to join the dais with city officials.

“This is an exciting gateway into Edenvale and a monumental achievement,” said District 2 Councilmember Forrest Williams. (Photo by Jeanne C. Carbone)

“If it hadn’t been for Ron’s leadership seven years ago with our Measures O and P, which the voters wisely approved to create a fund for creating libraries and parks,” said Reed, “it just wouldn’t have happened without Ron.”

The 22,222 square foot Edenvale Branch Library offers the neighborhood an Internet café, community living room with a fireplace, tech center, group and quiet study areas and a community room that will accommodate 100 people, as well as generous space for seating, collections and computers. Free WiFi access will be available during library hours.

The entry showcases San Jose Public Art with the Web of Native Botanicals by artists Troy Corliss with Elin Christopherson. Organic glass and steel plant forms provide a canopy suspended overhead using California native plants: redbud, purple needle grass, buckwheat and black walnut. The art was designed with the help of community members who attended public meetings and requested that the art be situated in the interior of the building and not outside.

The branch represents the first library to serve the Edenvale neighborhood ,but it almost didn’t happen. The space was originally attended to be a ramp over Monterey Road onto Branham Lane and the new apartments across the way an overpass.

“Opening a library is one of my favorite things to do as a mayor,” said Mayor Chuck Reed before the ribbon cutting. (Photos by William Bellou).

“Instead of going over, I decided that engineering should look at going under Monterey Road,” said District 2 Councilmember Forrest Williams. “When the engineering work was done it was a resounding yes and freed the space for the library and housing [apartments across the street]. This is an exciting gateway into Edenvale and a monumental achievement.”

The new Edenvale Branch is the tenth library to be completed using funds from local bond measures approved in 2000 by San Jose voters. 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.

“Each new library opening brings us closer to our goal of providing service to all residents that meets the needs of 21st century customers, not only for information, but for a sense of community,” said Light. “The spacious and stimulating environments exemplified by our new libraries encourage visitors to linger; to discover, to explore and to enjoy.”

The Edenvale Branch Library project was completed on time and under budget. The total project cost, including the public art, was $9.7 million. Contributions from the local community helped furnish the interior, providing furniture and equipment. The project is a recipient of a $50,000 grant from AT&T part of an overall pledge of $200,000 to the San Jose Public Foundation branch fundraising campaign and the single largest corporate donation to date.

The library was flooded with hundreds of residents after the ribbon cutting grand opening of the Edenvale Branch Library. Photos by Jeanne C. Carbone

But the grand opening was all about introducing the public to the Edenvale Branch Library. Families with children in tow eagerly rushed into explore the new facility. Some applied for library cards for the first time carrying armfuls of books to check out. Others enjoyed cake and took photos with Frontier Village cowboys.

Educators Gerald and Evelyn Guess, who volunteer at the new Edenvale Branch Library, were in the children’s area helping eager kids discover books. Janice Wiens who has lived across Monterey Road for 25 years was excited to have a library in the area and equally pleased that the new facility had a café with coffee.

“It’s an important day for the Edenvale community,” said Oak Grove School District Trustee Jacquelyn Adams. ”It is something that the community needed and wanted.”

But perhaps Library Commis-sion Chair Martin said it best, “Libraries will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times with no libraries.”