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.
Atherton Library Children’s Garden
Atherton Library is getting a new children's garden! Library and town staff are finalizing construction design plans for the children's garden with landscape architects, Miller Company. Through public engagement and collaboration with the Friends of the Atherton Library stakeholder group, the design team has created a plan that embodies the community’s aspirations. The 6,500-square-foot garden will complement the existing redwood trees and feature a whimsical willow hut, boulder mound, natural branch tunnel and an accessible treehouse. These elements will foster exploration and imaginative play in an outdoor natural setting. The final design and cost model will be shared with the Atherton Town Council for approval on February 19, 2025.
Belmont Library Update
We are excited to announce that the Belmont Library has an upcoming improvement project that will take place this spring. Belmont City Council approved the project at their November 26, 2024, meeting. Renovation activities for the 20,000-square-foot facility will include new exterior and interior painting, new flooring, meeting room enhancements with new equipment, updated ergonomic staff workstations and some additional new furniture and shelving. The work associated with this project is expected to begin sometime in March 2025 and will require the library to close for a few months. During the closure, popular programs and services will be offered at alternative community locations, or at the San Carlos Library. In partnership with the City of Belmont, San Mateo County Libraries is excited about reinvigorating this wonderful library destination.
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 recently purchased approximately 1.07 acres of land adjacent to the EPACENTER 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 awarded a design services contract to Noll & Tam Architects to continue the development of a new library. As part of the project outreach, seven interviews with community leaders were conducted, two focus groups were held (one in English and one in Spanish), and one open community meeting took place. Additionally, following the community meeting, an online survey was set up to collect additional feedback to refine the design. Informed by the community and following the completion of the summer community outreach campaign, Noll & Tam Architects, library and city staff have been refining the conceptual design and cost model for the new two-story library facility. Excitement continues to grow, and the updated design and cost estimate will be presented to the City Council for approval in March 2025.
San Carlos Library Makerspace Plans
Plans are underway for a brand-new makerspace to be designed and built on the second floor of the San Carlos Library. The project will result in a dedicated 1,000-square-foot space with abundant storage for tools and equipment, and provide a destination for the San Carlos community to tinker, create, develop, problem solve, collaborate and learn.
The San Carlos Makerspace Task Force, comprised of city and library staff as well as members of the Friends of the San Carlos Library, have finalized the design for the makerspace. This innovative space will feature modern furniture, ample storage, a creative work counter and cutting-edge technology. Collaboration is encouraged through cozy lounge areas, a writable wall and a digital screen for brainstorming and instruction. This new space will be a wonderful hub of innovation and creativity, blending functionality with aesthetic appeal. WRNS Studio, the architectural firm responsible for the design, has incorporated elements of light inspired by the dome in the building’s rotunda. Next steps include developing the construction documents and getting the project approved and permitted. We are thrilled about the progress on this project and look forward to the construction phase.
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 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.
