New Central Library
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning is underway to build a new Central Library in Fresno County. Throughout this exciting project, frequently asked questions and answers will be shared on this website. Information will be updated as quickly as possible to keep you informed and up to date.
Additional information is online at http://www.fresnolibrary.org/about/docfrsn.html.
If you have a question about the new Central Library, or any other
library program or service, you are encouraged to submit a We
Are Listening Comment Form or Comment to the County
Librarian Form.
Why do we need a new Central Library?
How will the new Central Library be an improvement over the existing
Central Library?
What is being done to improve libraries at other locations?
How are these improvements and new libraries being funded?
How is public feedback being incorporated into planning for the
new Central Library?
Where will the new Central Library be located?
Will there be sufficient parking at or nearby the new Central Library?
What will happen to the existing Central Library?
Why do we need a new Central Library?
The Central Library is the “root” of the 38 branch and service locations which comprise the Fresno County Public Library system. The Central Library is the heart and nerve center for multiple diverse locations geographically spread out over 5,006 square miles in Fresno County. In addition, the Central Library serves as the region’s primary research facility and the neighborhood library for the downtown Fresno area.
The existing Central Library was built in 1958 to serve a population at that time of 361,500 residents in Fresno County. Today, the Central Library serves more than 836,000 people in downtown Fresno and throughout the County. The population for the Fresno County Public Library service area is expected to grow by 85.7 percent by 2040 to 1,436,063 people. A new Library is needed to meet the needs of the entire County and to fulfill the promise of Measure B.
Space for books and other materials as well as staff work areas is extremely limited. In fact, much of the collection is housed in areas closed to the public due to a significant lack of space. This situation greatly impacts our ability to provide the service our customers expect and deserve, and makes it difficult for staff to perform administrative work most efficiently.
The Central Library houses very specialized collections. Notable among these holdings is the William Saroyan Collection in the California History and Genealogy Room. In addition to the Saroyan Collection, the Room provides an in-depth collection of regional and state historical archives, including newspapers, periodicals and government documents. Collections of such rare and historical value require environmentally controlled surroundings to ensure materials are preserved for future generations to enjoy.
How will the new Central Library be an improvement over the existing Central Library?
A 329,225 square foot Central Library, on five levels, is proposed for Fresno County. The new facility would provide space for book and media collections that total 859,500 volumes, as well as space to house the Library’s collections of periodical and newspaper back files, government documents and California History and Genealogy collection. Seating capacity would provide 944 reader and study seats, including dedicated seating for group study, for parents and children and for teens. Space is recommended for 214 public access computers at sit-down workstations, two computer labs that accommodate 48 and another 103 stand-up computers to provide convenient online catalog access. The facility would also support programming and meeting space, including a 350-seat auditorium, multipurpose meetings rooms and mid-sized conference rooms.
What is being done to improve libraries at other locations?
New libraries recently opened in Caruthers, Woodward Park and Kerman, and a new library at the Fresno-Madera Area Agency on Aging Senior Resource Center campus opened this year. New libraries have been funded for Mendota, Orange Cove and Tranquillity. Current library projects partially funded are Fowler (land purchased, conceptual design, partial funding), Central, Clovis and Mosqueda.
Renovations have been completed at Bear Mountain, Cedar-Clinton, Clovis, the Doris Gates Children’s Room at the Central Library, Fig Garden, Laton, Pinedale, Riverdale, San Joaquin and Sanger branch locations.
How are these improvements and new libraries being funded?
A combination of sources will be used to fund improvement projects and new libraries. Additional studies are underway to determine what other funding sources can be used for the libraries.
Recently much of the funding for new projects has been provided through grants from the Library Bond Act of 2000 administered by the California State Library. These grants are supplemented with local funds from Measure B, the initiative approved by voters in 1998 to generate revenue for improvement of libraries and library services. The current term of Measure B expires in March 2006; voters recently approved an extension of Measure B through March 2013.
How is public feedback being incorporated into planning for the new Central Library?
Focus groups and individual interviews with key community leaders were conducted in 2004. Focus group participants represented several key audiences, including:
- Parents of school-age children
- Teens
- Teachers
- New Americans
- Social Service Providers
- Adult Learners
- Disabled Community
- Arts and Cultural District
- Saroyan Society
- Genealogy Society
The next step is a public survey about Central and branch resources.
Where will the new Central Library be located?
Three downtown sites are under consideration: a civic, a cultural and a commercial site.
Will there be sufficient parking at or nearby the new Central Library?
More on-site parking will be incorporated into the design of the new Central Library. The current amount of 28 public parking spaces will likely be increased to 600-725 parking spaces dedicated for library customers. The Library will be located in an area with convenient access to public transit
What will happen to the existing Central Library?
The existing Central Library is one of the sites being considered.
