Richmond launches $34 million overhaul of main library

The City of Richmond broke ground Wednesday on a $34 million renovation project to transform the main library in Civic Center Plaza into a resiliency center and community hub, unveiling plans for several upgrades to the building.

Local dignitaries on hand for the groundbreaking included the mayor and city councilmembers, City Manager Shasa Curl, and Richmond Public Library Foundation President Michelle Milam, who recalled utilizing the library as a young person growing up in Richmond.

Plans for the new building say it will be fully electric and "a model of sustainability and energy efficiency," promising to retain the building's historic mid-century modern style while offering additional community space for a multitude of purposes.

The project, directed by Richmond’s Public Works in partnership with the Community Services Department, and with Noll & Tam Architects serving as the project architect, includes plans for private study rooms, a dedicated teen space, a local history room, as well as additional space for community use – many of these features requested through input from community members.

Kate Eppler, Deputy Director of Community Services-Library, said the renovation will result in a beautiful, comfortable, and modern Richmond Main Library and is funded by several grants, along with monies from the city's general fund.

“In addition to the $9.7 million California State Library grant, the project is funded by $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, $1 million in Library Impact Fees, and $21.5 million from the Richmond General Capital Fund,” Eppler said.

City Manager Shasa Curl said the project is the result of collaboration between the city and the residents of Richmond.

“This project reflects strong collaboration between City departments, community members, and our funding partners to deliver a library that will serve Richmond for generations,” Curl said.

​Mayor Eduardo Martinez said that for him, this project is a dream come true.

“We have already established Nevin Community Center as a place for people to gather in times of extreme need, whether it be temperature, earthquake, or power outage. Having the library become our second resiliency center with hopes of it becoming a self-contained microgrid with books is a dream come true,” Martinez said.

Councilmember Sue Wilson told the crowd that informing her 17-year-old daughter about the library renovation elicited a less than exuberant response.

"She yelled no!" Wilson recalled. "I think that's how a lot of people feel, but it's going to retain its character, so if you grew up using it and you loved it, you're still going to have your library that looks like your library," Wilson said.

Richmond has boasted a public library since 1907, when the Women’s Westside Improvement Club championed the building of the first one in the early days of Richmond. The Main Library at Civic Center, designed in 1945 by San Francisco architects Milton T. and Timothy L. Pflueger, opened in December 1949 as part of the postwar Plaza and was considered at the time one of the most modern library buildings in California.

In the nearly 77 years since it opened, the Main Library has well served generations of Richmond children exploring school projects, researchers of history, adults attending literacy programs, and has inspired residents of all ages to fall in love with reading.

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