Building Projects

We strive to create beautiful, state-of-the-art spaces for people to come together and collaborate with the goal of supporting discovery, enriching lives and uplifting our communities. Our libraries are designed to be the heart of the community, a place for everyone to feel welcomed, and support our Strategic Plan and service model.

Our building projects offer something new for everybody, such as colorful and engaging spaces for children, makerspaces for hands-on learning, flexible gathering areas for programs and events, and much more. Each addition aims to create inviting, flexible and modern facilities to support a lifetime of learning and exploration at San Mateo County Libraries.


New East Palo Alto Library Update

The future East Palo Alto Library now has a home address. With support from the Library JPA Governing Board, the City of East Palo Alto, opens a new window recently purchased approximately 1.07 acres of land adjacent to the EPACENTER, opens a new window arts facility as the proposed location for the new library. Building the new library next to the EPACENTER will create a civic common space with wonderful synergy between the arts and library offerings and programs. The two properties will provide the community with a destination where residents can access library services and arts education. The City of East Palo Alto will soon issue an RFP for an architect to complete a final design for the new library. The Foundation for San Mateo County Libraries, opens a new window will support this project by helping to raise $10 million in funds to move this project forward.


Millbrae Library Makerspace Construction

Construction began in early September 2023 to add a makerspace to Millbrae Library. A project created in partnership with the City of Millbrae, opens a new window, the new makerspace will be a community-driven space offering opportunities to explore the latest tech and creativity. Inside the makerspace, community members can work on arts and crafts, robotics, fabrication and innovation. Tech and supplies will be available for sewing, jewelry making, coding, circuitry, photography, music and design. The makerspace will also be outfitted with 3D printing, laser cutting and virtual reality. We thank Friends of the Millbrae Library, opens a new window, whose support made this addition possible.


San Carlos Library Makerspace Plans

Plans are underway for a brand-new makerspace to be built at San Carlos Library. The project will bring a dedicated space with abundant storage for tools and equipment and provide a place for instruction for the San Carlos community to tinker, create, develop, problem solve, collaborate and learn. We will be working with WRNS Studio, opens a new window to help us determine the programming expectations by gathering community and stakeholder input. Programming may include activities with crafts, 3D printing, laser cutting, audio/video production and space for classes and workshops. Currently, the makerspace room has not yet been identified. Project efforts will provide an assessment and analysis of the space and recommend a feasible area in the library for an innovative makerspace at the San Carlos Library.

We are hosting a Community Workshop on Thursday, March 14, at 6:00 PM in the 2nd Floor Community Room at San Carlos Library. Our design partners WRNS Studio, opens a new window will lead a public community input session to ensure we understand how you imagine using the space and what tools and activities you are most excited about. Come ready to share your passion for making and help us craft a dynamic new makerspace! Please RSVP for the workshop. If you are unable to attend, the community is encouraged to participate in the survey to share their thoughts and ideas on the new San Carlos Library Makerspace.


Pacifica Sharp Park and Sanchez

In September 2018, a report proposed a two-branch model that would allow the Sharp Park location to be redesigned into a new, larger full-service library while the Sanchez location will explore an "open access" service model. A survey was given to the community to gather feedback on both conceptual models. This past February, a conceptual design concept known as The Town Commons was selected by the Pacifica City Council, opens a new window as the preferred concept for moving forward with the Sharp Park redesign. An "open access" service model will continue to be explored for the Sanchez location to allow for the accommodation of community spaces in collaboration with Pacifica Parks, Beaches, and Recreation, opens a new window.

Our next steps will involve refining funding strategies and developing design concepts for both locations.


Completed Projects

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