We strive to create beautiful, state-of-the-art spaces for people to come together and collaborate with the goal of supporting discovery, enriching lives and uplifting our communities. Our libraries are designed to be the heart of the community, a place for everyone to feel welcomed, and support our Strategic Plan and service model.
Our building projects offer something new for everybody, such as colorful and engaging spaces for children, makerspaces for hands-on learning, flexible gathering areas for programs and events, and much more. Each addition aims to create inviting, flexible and modern facilities to support a lifetime of learning and exploration at San Mateo County Libraries.
New East Palo Alto Library Update
The future East Palo Alto Library now has a home address. With support from the Library JPA Governing Board, the City of East Palo Alto, opens a new window recently purchased approximately 1.07 acres of land adjacent to the EPACENTER, opens a new window arts facility as the proposed location for the new library. Building the new library next to the EPACENTER will create a civic common space with wonderful synergy between the arts and library offerings and programs. The two properties will provide the community with a destination where residents can access library services and arts education. The City of East Palo Alto will soon issue an RFP for an architect to complete a final design for the new library. The Foundation for San Mateo County Libraries, opens a new window will support this project by helping to raise $10 million in funds to move this project forward.
Millbrae Library Makerspace Construction
Construction began in early September 2023 to add a makerspace to Millbrae Library. A project created in partnership with the City of Millbrae, opens a new window, the new makerspace will be a community-driven space offering opportunities to explore the latest tech and creativity. Inside the makerspace, community members can work on arts and crafts, robotics, fabrication and innovation. Tech and supplies will be available for sewing, jewelry making, coding, circuitry, photography, music and design. The makerspace will also be outfitted with 3D printing, laser cutting and virtual reality. We thank Friends of the Millbrae Library, opens a new window, whose support made this addition possible.
San Carlos Library Makerspace Plans
Plans are underway for a brand-new makerspace to be designed and built on the second floor of the San Carlos Library. The project will result in a dedicated 1,000-square-foot space with abundant storage for tools and equipment, and provide a destination for the San Carlos community to tinker, create, develop, problem solve, collaborate and learn.
On March 14th, we hosted a Community Workshop where our design partners WRNS Studio led a public input session to ensure we understand how the community imagines using the space, and what tools and activities they are most excited about. We are looking forward to designing a new makerspace with your innovative ideas in mind!
Pacifica Sharp Park and Sanchez
In September 2018, a report proposed a two-branch model that would allow the Sharp Park location to be redesigned into a new, larger full-service library while the Sanchez location will explore an "open access" service model. A survey was given to the community to gather feedback on both conceptual models. This past February, a conceptual design concept known as The Town Commons was selected by the Pacifica City Council, opens a new window as the preferred concept for moving forward with the Sharp Park redesign. An "open access" service model will continue to be explored for the Sanchez location to allow for the accommodation of community spaces in collaboration with Pacifica Parks, Beaches, and Recreation, opens a new window.
Our next steps will involve refining funding strategies and developing design concepts for both locations.
