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For Immediate Release
City Awarded Grant for Construction of
Redwood Shores Branch Library
Redwood City, CA - October 29, 2003 -
The California State Library office announced yesterday that
Redwood City has been awarded a $10.1 million grant for the
proposed Redwood Shores branch library, representing approximately
two-thirds of the estimated cost of that branch. This grant,
from the 2000 Statewide Library Bond Act, is the result of
over a year of effort by City staff and consultants in conducting
a "library needs assessment," facilitating multiple
community meetings to gain input from a wide range of interests,
and initial planning and design of the proposed facility,
in addition to tireless work by a Community Advisory Committee.
"We heard early-on from the community through surveys,
at Council meetings, and in one-on-one conversations, that
Redwood Shores is under-served in terms of library services,"
said Council member Barbara Pierce, who is the Council’s
liaison to the Redwood Shores Branch Library project. "With
this grant award, we now know that a new branch is feasible.
Our job now is to keep the momentum going and make it a reality."
The next step in the development of the branch library in
Redwood Shores is to fully realize the architectural design
of the facility, and develop a long-term strategy for construction
and operation of this proposed facility, which was made a
high priority by the City Council in early 2002. The Redwood
Shores branch library proposal was one of 67 applications
for grant funds statewide, and one of only 13 that were ranked
"outstanding" by the California State Library
Construction Board. It was an extremely competitive process,
and Redwood City’s success points to the great effort
and determination of the staff and community members involved.
For well over a year, the City and the Library have been
diligently working with the community and with an architectural
consultant to get to this point. The City coordinated nine
focus group meetings, five community advisory committee meetings,
and four community forums, has held four Library staff meetings
and countless City staff meetings, participated in three San
Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC)
meetings, conducted a "library needs assessment,"
and brought the issue before the Architectural Review Committee,
the Planning Commission, and the City Council. The Council
approved the grant application early this year.
The Redwood City Public Library sponsors many free programs
for children and adults, and helps our community to "understand
the past, prepare for the future, and thrive in the present."
More information about library events and services is available
on the library’s home page at www.redwoodcity.org/library
or by calling 780-7026. Visit Redwood City’s website
at www.redwoodcity.org
for information about the City and its services, the community,
recreation programs, education, and City government.
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Contact: Magda Gonzalez
Assistant to the City Manager
650-780-7300
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