May 11, 2006

Almaden Library and Community Center wows crowd
at sneak-peek reception and fund-raiser

By Lorraine Gabbert
Staff Writer

Community members who turned out to support the new Almaden Library and Community Center during the pre-opening reception and fund-raiser May 4 were suitably impressed.

VIPs, including San Jose Police Chief Rob Davis, San Jose City Councilmember Nancy Pyle and San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO Pat Dando, attended the Almaden Community Center reception and fund-raiser. Photo by Lorraine Gabbert

“It’s stunning, drop-dead gorgeous!” said San Jose Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Superintendent Marie Alberry-Hawkins. “It’s a dream come true for this community and for the city.”

“It’s phenomenal,” agreed resident Renay Rosckes. “I think it will bring the community together.”

Throughout the approximately 65,000-square-foot building, natural light shines through floor-to-ceiling plate glass windows and earth tones accent its exterior and colored cement flooring. From its sweeping maple wood information desk to the elegance of the glass sculpture chandelier in the entryway, it is clear why many refer to the Almaden Library and Community Center as a showstopper and “the jewel in the crown” of local libraries and community centers.

Hosted by the Almaden Community Center Advisory Council, the reception was well-attended by about 250 guests, including leaders from the Almaden Business Association, Almaden Valley Women's Club, Almaden Valley Counseling Services, Senior Association, school principals, politicians and city officials. 

It was also an extremely successful fund-raiser, raising about $60,000 to complete the furnishings and equipment needed for the 35,000-square-foot community center. “It’s a beautiful space,” said Special Event Planner Kristina Taheri, “and I’m looking forward to furnishing it.”

Major contributions for the community center were made by the Almaden Senior Association, Trimberger Family Foundation, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Dr. Earl and Mrs. Steinhoff/Dr. Brian and Mrs. Steinhoff, Almaden Center Youth Advisory Council and SeniorNet Learning Center. In addition, the Almaden Business Association, the Almaden Valley Women's Club, Friends of the Library, and others have previously made large contributions to the Library Foundation.

The fresh new library design makes books more accessible while providing a lovely setting. In the library, wildlife ranging from rabbits and raccoons, to mountain lions, birds and butterflies roams across Evans & Brown’s canvas, fueling the imagination. Photos by Lorraine Gabbert

At the reception, tea light candles danced upon red linen tablecloths featuring dramatic floral arrangements, as guests dined on gourmet food garnished with paintbrushes and served on contractor’s scaffolding. While mingling with friends, many stopped to view wish lists creatively displayed on construction ladders requesting funding for exercise, sports, recreational, computer and culinary equipment.

Donning yellow hardhats, visitors joined in “building our community together,” epitomizing the event’s theme. On informative docent-led tours throughout the building, they were treated to glimpses of the preschool, community center and library wings of the building, as well as a vision of things to come.

Co-managed by the San Jose Public Library and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services, the combined library and community center is the first joint venture of its kind in San Jose, and will serve as a model for future projects. The 64,740-square-foot facility, designed by Field Paoli Architects and constructed by West Bay Builders, replaces the 10,715-square-foot library and 3,323-square-foot community center. Outside Tiny Town, an Internet café will also be available for those who wish to enjoy a treat while surfing the net.

Library highlights
In addition to its vast collection of books, DVDs and CDs, the new 20,000-square-foot library features the Doris Dillon Children’s Library, a teen center, technology lab, computers for young children and quiet study areas. There are comfortable armchairs arranged by the windows and even a family room featuring a hologram fireplace and all of the current magazines. With so much to offer, Library Branch Manager Pam Crider believes that the library will be a tremendous resource for the community.

Beyond an expansive community room (complete with a commercial kitchen), the new community center features something for everyone with a gymnasium, fitness center, dance studio, game room, lounge, computer lab and classrooms.

For those with a culinary bent, there is a teaching kitchen with five gas stoves, including a central console for the instructor. The community center plans to offer classes for youngsters and seniors alike and hopes to bring in resident chefs for specialty cooking classes. Seniors will find a service lounge connected to offices offering medical counseling and tax assistance. Teenagers also have a place to call their own, both in the library and the community center as The Spot will be relocating to this facility.

Included in its sports and fitness wing is a 6,900-square-foot gymnasium, striped for one full-size and two short basketball courts, complete with bleachers and electronic scoreboards. This space can also accommodate badminton, volleyball, power soccer and quad rugby games. A fee-for-use fitness room with exercise equipment will be available, so parents can work out while their children take classes. There is not only an art studio with a kiln, but also a dance studio for Pilates, ballet, jazz, tap, and fitness classes, which is wired for sound and includes ceiling fans, message boards and storage. “We tried to listen to everything people wanted,” said Alberry-Hawkins.

Tiny Town
With three large and airy classrooms and a fenced-in patio, Tiny Town Preschool welcomes students. By its entryway sit tiny armchairs, designed with little ones in mind. Inside its classrooms, small yellow and blue chairs stand in a row and tricycles sit poised awaiting riders. Beside coat hooks in reach of short arms are bulletin boards ready to display colorful artwork. In addition to water fountains set in walls of rainbow tile are bathrooms with attached potty seats and child-sized sinks. Like the rest of the building, natural light floods the open room, and there is ample storage, so that the teachers as well as their students can maximize the play space.

Public art
The public art for the shared facility features the work of Ray King, Evans & Brown, and Lisa Reinertson. Another special piece is planned, from the heart of the community: a collaborative work by art students honoring the memory of Doris Dillon.

Ray King's dramatic "Almaden Sphere" is composed of thousands of glass prisms suspended from a web of stainless steel cables. A modern interpretation of a crystal chandelier, its colors change with the shifting light. King sees his dazzling creation as the heart of the facility and a welcoming beacon. A compressed sphere, it also has roots in the Almaden Quicksilver mines, recalling the shape of liquid mercury.

In the community room, Tiny Town and the children’s library, the vibrant natural world of mural artists Mark Evans and Charles Brown comes alive. In the community room, two large cinnabar-shaded murals depict the simple joy of rural life. In Tiny Town and the library, wildlife ranging from rabbits and raccoons, to mountain lions, birds and butterflies roams across the canvas. Both the colorful sculpted collage, featuring lush foliage and inviting creatures, and the charming library border, fuse nature with fantasy, fueling the imagination.

Artist Lisa Reinerton’s bronze sculpture, “Ohlone Woman,” will soon grace the courtyard of the library and community center, inspiring residents to learn more about the native people of this region.

A community celebration and grand opening of the Almaden Library and Community Center is scheduled for this Saturday, May 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, entertainment, children's activities, tours, and question-and-answer sessions with the artists.

In addition to receiving a new library card, visitors will get a taste of the things the facility has to offer. Dancers will perform in the dance studio, stories and music will entertain youngsters in the children’s library, and arts and crafts and face painting will be provided in Tiny Town. As an added incentive, guitar, photography, computer and cooking demonstrations will be offered.

Making the occasion extra special, Castillero Middle School’s band will bring excitement and entertainment to the occasion, and Pioneer and Leland High School’s choirs will lend their voices to the celebration.

Resident Kaye Bergren is delighted with the new facility. “I could come here and spend the day,” she said, “going from working out, to the computer room, to sitting and relaxing with a book.”

Councilmember Nancy Pyle appreciates the multi-generational aspect of the center. “It’s a fantastic place,” she said, “to discover, learn and enjoy.”

“After working on it for three years, it’s nice to see it come to fruition,” said San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO and former Vice Mayor Pat Dando. “I think it’s going to serve our community well for decades to come.”

The current citywide activity guide includes information on summer classes at the Almaden Community Center. To donate funds for the center, contact Vickie Sochocki at (408) 927-9132 or Kristina Taheri at (408) 997-1100. Patrons donating $1,000 or more will be listed on recognition plaques by the entryway. Visit the library Web site for additional information at www.SJLibrary.org.