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To support the New Central Library, click the button below.
1. Why are libraries as important today as ever? 2. How does the Central Library support the branch libraries? 3. Do we need a New Central Library? 4. What is the vision for the new facility? 5. What is the history of this project? 6. Why is a charter high school being located at the New Central Library? 7. Why build this project now? 8. How much will it cost to build this facility? 9. How will the project be funded? 10. What is the timeline for building the New Central Library? 11. How much will it cost to operate this facility? 12. Does the location make sense and is it functional? 13. Who will the Central Library serve? 14. Will the New Central Library be energy efficient? 15. How can I help support the San Diego Public Library and this project?
1. Why are libraries as important today as ever? Libraries are the only place providing free, equal and comprehensive access to information and resources giving all citizens the opportunity and resources to succeed. In the digital age, library resources and programs remain as popular and important as ever. Last fiscal year, the San Diego Public Library system circulated more than 7.1 million items. Also, libraries are more than just books, providing a community meeting space where San Diegans gather to hear great music, appreciate art work and discuss critical issues. The Library is San Diego’s largest provider of free cultural programming with more than 10,000 cultural and educational events yearly. For more details, VISIT HERE.
2. How does the Central Library support the branch libraries? The Central Library is the heart of the San Diego Public Library system with each branch relying daily on the resources, collections, expertise and reference support of the Central Library. An investment in the New Central Library is an investment in the health of the entire system. Patrons at branches turn to highly trained staff and specialized librarians at the Central Library for their most advanced reference questions—more than 643,000 questions each year (1). Additionally, the Central Library houses more than 500,000 unique titles, each of which can be delivered free-of-charge to any branch. The Central Library distributes more than 424,000 books, reference materials, CDs, DVDs and other materials to branches annually. Every item in the collections at branches—including books, DVDs, CDs and reference materials—is centrally selected, catalogued and processed through the Central Library. Central staff works with professional staff at branches to ensure the branch's collection is unique to the needs of the community. The Central Library also is home to some of the region’s most valuable archival resources and important specialized collections that are an asset to the entire region. For more details, VISIT HERE.
3. Do we need a New Central Library? The current Central Library was built 57 years ago to serve a population of only 466,000 people. In Fiscal Year 1955, the attendance for the entire library system was 15,003 (18). Today, the City's population is 1.25 million people. Additionally, more than 480,000 people use the Central Library alone and the facility supports 35 branch libraries, more than three times the number than at its opening. The facility is beyond its capacity with 60 percent of the collections in basement storage areas (10), off limits to the public. The building suffers from a decaying infrastructure, outdated plumbing, inefficient electrical systems, as well as obsolete heating and air systems that are costly to maintain. The California State Library reviewed the conditions and reported: "This asbestos-laden structure is inefficient with limited capability for reconfiguring space for virtually any purpose." (14) For more details, VISIT HERE.
4. What is the vision for the new facility? The New Central Library will help San Diego achieve many of its most pressing civic objectives. The new facility allows the San Diego Public Library to adequately serve the branches and the community’s needs for literacy, information and knowledge in the 21st century. Additionally, the building will be a new landmark—a civic icon that embodies San Diego's commitment to the future. The New Central Library will:
5. What is the history of this project? The need for a New Central Library was evident as far back as the City’s adopted General Plan in 1971, and the need was confirmed in the 1977 Master Plan for the San Diego Public Library (11). Citizen committees have studied possible sites for the new main library through 45 independent studies done over a 35-year period. Beginning in 1999, six potential downtown sites were analyzed through public hearings and workshops (12). An extensive series of workshops were held with thousands of citizens. In 2001, the City Council reviewed the analysis on each of the sites along with associated costs, and unanimously re-affirmed that the City-owned, approximately 68,000 square feet site at Park Blvd and J Street was the best location. On June 28, 2010, the San Diego City Council approved construction of the New Central Library and a month later ground was broken on construction. Construction is moving foward rapidly and is on schedule for a summer 2013 grand opening.
6. Why is a charter high school being located at the New Central Library? San Diego’s new Central Library will be a center of literacy and learning, providing information and knowledge for the entire San Diego region. Central to this mission is an on-site charter school, called Downtown Charter High, to serve 500+ high school students. There is a recognized need for additional high school capacity downtown with San Diego and Lincoln High Schools beyond capacity. High school students residing in the urban core of downtown San Diego and its surrounding neighborhoods are underserved by the existing options for their 9th -12th grade learning experience. Over 50% of the students residing in the downtown attendance area commute to other areas of San Diego for their high school experience. Downtown Charter High will serve 500+ high school students and with its access to vast educational resources and downtown's business and social community , this school will serve as a national model in college and career readiness. Read more about Downtown Charter High HERE. Additionally, the school builds upon already planned features to serve the 35 schools within two miles of the New Central Library, including an after school hours homework center. The proposed school is in keeping with existing partnerships among the schools and Library, such as the joint-use school-library project at the newly opened Logan Heights Branch Library located on the site of the Logan Heights Elementary School.
7. Why build this project now? This project is moving forward at a crucial time for the local economy and will significantly impact employment, wages and tax receipts. Turner Construction estimates the New Central Library construction project will employ 930 people over the life of the project.
8. How much will it cost to build this facility? The project has a guaranteed maximum price of $184.9 million. This price includes construction costs and other project costs, such as architectural and engineering fees, furniture, fixtures and equipment. This construction project is a construction manager at risk project. Turner Construction is the construction manager at risk and is responsible for any costs that exceed the guaranteed maxium price.
9. How will the project be funded? Centre City Development Corporation has allocated $80 million for construction. These funds are earmarked for downtown development and cannot be reassigned for uses beyond downtown. The California State Library has awarded San Diego a $20 million grant for the New Central Library. Once again, these funds are designated for this project and are not available for other uses. The San Diego Unified School District has approved $20 million for a 40-year lease on unused space on the sixth and seventh floors of the building for a charter high school. Finally, private donors have stepped forward to secure the remaining $64.9 million needed to complete construction -- or more than 35 percent of the total funds. Private donors have contributed an additional $10 million to cover the first five years of additional operating costs at the new facility. This is the highest level of private support ever for a public library capital project anywhere outside of New York City.
10. What is the timeline for building the New Central Library? The current project timeline calls for:
11. How much will it cost to operate this facility? The New Central Library will cost $2.7 million more annually to operate than the current facility (13). Cost increases are the result of non-personnel expenses associated with a larger facility. The Library anticipates that the New Central Library will operate with the same number of staff as originally proposed for the Library in 2005 – 82 full-time employees (13) by training staff to work across different library sections. Additionally, the new library is designed to more efficiently allocate staff throughout the building with fewer service points – 11 compared with 13 in the current facility. These additional operational costs will be covered for the first five years of operation through private donations and increased revenue opportunities. Private contributions of $10 million toward operations will cover $2 million of the $2.7 million increase for those first five years and of operation. Also, the facility will conservatively realize $825,000 in additional annual revenue from parking, café, space rentals and store sales.
12. Does the location make sense and is it functional? Following extensive study and public input, the site in East Village at Park Blvd. and 11th Ave. near Petco Park was selected as the ideal site for the New Central Library because it is:
14. Who will the Central Library serve? The Central Library will support the 35 San Diego Public Library branches and serve all the residents of San Diego—particularly students, downtown residents, workers and visitors to San Diego. The Central Library is the heart of the San Diego Public Library system and a new facility will adequately support the entire 35-branch San Diego Public Library system (READ MORE). Additionally, the New Central Library provides crucial resources to more than 57 schools within two and a half miles, including Brooklyn, Sherman and Washington Elementary; Roosevelt Junior High and Garfield, Monarch, San Diego and the new charter high school. San Diego City College is only a mile away. Additionally, this facility serves as the branch for the one of the county’s fastest growing populations—downtown residents (17). Between 2000 and 2030, the number of downtown residents and workers is projected to more than double with more than 254,000 people living and working downtown in 2030 (18). Additionally, the Central Library serves as the headquarters for the Serra Cooperative Library Systems—a network of 14 public library systems in San Diego and Imperial counties.
15. Will the New Central Library be energy efficient? The New Central Library will demonstrate the City of San Diego’s commitment to energy efficient design. The building incorporates the latest in technological advances, such as the use of photovoltaic cells, which allow the City to achieve a LEED Silver status for this project. This will make the building one of the most efficient public buildings in California. The photovoltaic system proposed for the New Central Library helps convert solar energy into useable electricity. Additional advances, such as a computerized SMART energy meters that will turn off the lights when there is sufficient natural light and long-life florescent bulbs that last for 35,000 hours, contribute to the efficiency of this green building.
16. How can I help support the San Diego Public Library and this project? Individuals interested in providing financial support for neighborhood branches, specific Library programs or the New Central Library project can make a contribution online or may contact Foundation CEO Jay Hill by email or at 619-236-5861. For more information on funding opportunities for the New Central Library, VISIT HERE. The mission of the San Diego Public Library Foundation is to create, steward, and support an excellent free public library system by generating private sector support to supplement funding by the government. The Foundation secures private support for the entire San Diego Public Library system, including efforts to build its New Central Library. Project supporters can also become a member of the Friends Library Advocacy group. These advocates receive regular e-mail communications about Library issues and deliver the library's message to elected officials, media, neighbors and community leaders. To join this network, enter your e-mail here. If you have additional questions, please contact the San Diego Public Library Foundation at (619) 238-6638 or office@supportmylibrary.org. Sources
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