I am pleased to report that the Sunnyvale Library of the Future project has been approved to go forward as a funding request to voters. Through their unanimous vote on Tuesday evening, the City Council completed all steps required to place a general obligation bond for the new library on the November 6, 2007 election ballot.

This is a momentous step for the City of Sunnyvale. By all reports, this is the first general obligation bond to be placed on a Sunnyvale election ballot in decades. If the ballot measure is passed by two-thirds of the voters, the new library project will be one of the most significant public facility projects in Sunnyvale.

For community members, a new library could make a big difference. Sunnyvale and its surrounding communities are great proponents of education and the opportunity for self improvement, both symbolic of what the public library has to offer each and every community member. The new library would offer the upgrade and expansion of the children’s reading and learning areas, provide a greater and more diverse collection of books and other materials, and more computers for children, seniors and the general public. Quiet reading areas, study rooms, and community meeting rooms, all of which are missing in the current facility, would be available along with expanded educational and cultural programs.

Many people love the warmth and friendliness of the existing 1960’s brick building with the signature stained glass window and the inspiring man “Out to Lunch” statue in front of the library. Whether these two signature Sunnyvale Public Library features move to the new facility is open to possibilities. What we do know is that the existing building has been expanded twice in the past and would be too expensive and inefficient to expand again. The building has aged and cannot meet the demands of a very busy public library, although it could be renovated as future office space.

Over 2,100 library users come to the Sunnyvale Public Library on average on a daily basis, making it one of the busiest libraries in California per hour for its size and population category, according to statistics reported to the California State Library. The Sunnyvale Public Library had over 2.2 million checkouts last year with approximately 300,000 of those checkouts going to non-Sunnyvale residents.

Some have expressed surprise that nonresidents can use the Sunnyvale Public Library. However, Sunnyvale residents also go to other libraries in the area; and last year they checked out approximately 1 million items at those other libraries, thus addressing their unmet needs in Sunnyvale.

Council’s decision to go forward with a ballot measure to fund the construction of the new library will address the community’s needs now and well into the future. A library as busy as Sunnyvale’s requires more space and a modern physical infrastructure with upgraded electrical, plumbing and other building systems to support a growing community.

The new library, if approved, will be located at Olive Ave. and Charles St. adjacent to the current library building. The City purchased the site for $17 million in 2000 for future Civic Center expansion. A portion of the site, which was vacant land, was approved by the City for lease last year for a community garden. The lease was for a period of 5 years. Since the garden has been very successful on the site, Council has mandated that the new library design creatively incorporate the concept of a community garden. The library and garden community will work together to accomplish the Council’s goals.

The design shown from past meetings is only a concept. After approval of the funding and the establishment of a contract with an architectural design firm, the actual design of the building will be developed. There will be community involvement in the design process, as well.

The preliminary plan for the library is for an 116,000 s.f. building with the option to expand up to 143,500 s.f., depending on the availability of funding. The City is highly committed to environmental sustainability. The City Council’s direction to staff is that the new library should be a green building designed to achieve a certification level of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System) Platinum and carbon neutral. LEED Platinum is the highest of designations in the point system developed by the US Green Building Council to measure environmental sustainability in buildings.

If the $108 million general obligation bond measure passes in November, the design process, including public input will begin early in 2008 with completion of the library in 2010/2011. The general obligation bond would cost an average of $19.52 per $100,000 in assessed valuation.

Library staff is committed to providing the best service possible given the current facility and resources. Please continue to use our services and give us your feedback. Library staff also will eagerly await the community’s decision regarding funding. We will make preparations to move forward in a timely manner if two-thirds of the voters approve funding for the Sunnyvale Library of the Future.

If you have questions, feel free to contact me. I will be happy to provide factual information about the project and the library, to the best of my ability.