October 6, 2005

Sweet rewards

Almaden Branch Library buzz grows as construction progresses

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

As the new Almaden Branch Library enters its final construction phase, the excitement surrounding its pending completion is growing in tandem with its walls. So is the need to fill it.

Tucked away in the back of the library, far enough removed from the other areas to allow, even encourage giggles and fun, lies a quiet corner that will soon become one of the more popular library destinations, the Children’s Storytime Area, part of an aggressive sponsor partnership with the Almaden Business Association.

While the building costs will be absorbed by the $212 million bond issue Branch Library Project, passed in November 2000, funding stops just past the butter cream paint on the interior walls. The new improved facility will also be two-thirds larger than before and that creates a sizeable—and unfunded—dilemma.

While groups such as the Almaden Business Association press ahead with aggressive fund-raising goals, a much smaller faction of library patrons have also heard the call and young Ian Taylor thinks Almaden can whittle that number down—one used toy, slightly worn T-shirt, or “lucky” ball glove at a time.

But first things first. There are people to thank here.

“We’ve been so excited to see the progress grow all summer long,” explains Ian’s mom, Caroline Taylor. “We were passing by the library site one day and he said, ‘How ‘bout we take the construction workers some lemonade to thank them for working so hard on our library?’ Then, out of the blue he decided we should have a garage sale and use the money to buy things for the library.”

The steel skeleton creates its own artistic display, until the finish work is done, leaving one of several skylights that bring the outdoors in with an abundance of natural light.

After rustling up a few friends, a jug of lemonade and a plate of cookies, Ian ventured over to the construction site, where he and pals Elleri Tlaxcala, Madeline Armacost, Christopher Wilder-ink, and Ryan Wilderink served up sweet rewards for a job well done.

New plans have the group coordinating a community garage sale in Almaden on Oct. 22. Families are invited to add their names to the growing list of participating homes, which will be published in next week’s issue.

What Ian doesn’t know—or maybe he does—is that he could also be on his way to being immortalized for his philanthropic notions.

According to Eleanor Weber Dickman, director of Development and Communications for the San Jose Public Library Foundation, fund-raising en-deavors like this create an easy way for patrons, business, families, and individuals to gain permanent recognition in the form of their names on a plaque on a reserved wall near the entrance in the library for as little as $100.

It will go a long way toward generating pride of ownership, while providing essential funding for furniture, additional books and non-print materials, storytelling corners, study areas, programs for all ages in space-appropriate rooms, cultural programs, speakers’ series, and the reuniting of displaced senior groups in the new location. State-of-the-art equipment will also be needed to ensure adequate public access for patrons with special needs.

The new gymnasium will come complete with a scoreboard, bleachers, and a wood floor striped for a variety of games. One of architect Marc Schatz’s signature treatments involves using a product caked Kalwall near the roofline, creating a suspended or floating illusion overhead.

“We thought maybe we could get more people involved,” says Taylor.

“We’re hoping others will follow suit and donate their proceeds to the San Jose Library Association,” adds Judi Armacost. “And any family that donates $100 will have their name put on a plaque at the library.”

Jam-packed with amenities, the new, two-level facility will house a gymnasium, aerobics/ dance room, fitness center, a large community room, three preschool “Tiny Town” rooms, a cooking classroom, commercial kitchen, computer learning center, game room, four classrooms, and a neighborhood services center.

This is all well and good but as the enterprising Ian says, “Some-one’s going to have to fill it.”

For more information on participating in the neighborhood garage sale and to get your name listed in the paper, contact Caroline Taylor at carolinekt@juno.com or Judi Armacost at armycot@sbcglobal.net. For more information on contributing to the San José Public Library Foundation, contact Executive Director, Marie Bernardy at (408) 808-2174 or mbernardy@sjplf.org.