News Release: Downtown San Rafael Library Temporarily Relocating

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 31 , 2024

Downtown San Rafael Library Temporarily Relocating

San Rafael, Calif. -On September 2^nd, the Downtown San Rafael Public Library, located at 1100 E Street, will be closing for critical safety and infrastructure updates. The City will be opening a pop-up library at 1009 4^th Street to continue to offer library services downtown during construction on the main library. The pop-up library is tentatively scheduled to open on September 16^th.

The pop-up library will continue to offer many of the most in-demand services, including enriching public programs; space to sit, read, and relax; free public wifi and access to laptops; holds pick-up; and a variety of popular books, DVDs, audiobooks, video games, magazines, and other materials.

Additionally, all three San Rafael Public Libraries will be expanding hours during the closure of the main library, to ensure continued access to library services for the San Rafael community.

"We are excited to experiment with this new location in the heart of downtown and to continue to provide high-quality library services in Central San Rafael during the renovation," said Catherine Quffa, Library and Recreation Director.

Originally built in 1901 with expansions in the 1950s and 1970s, the Downtown Carnegie Library is an aging facility. The planned renovations include fixing the roof, upgrading plumbing and electrical to meet code, installing a fire alarm system, ADA improvements, repairing the HVAC system, and minor design improvements. The total project budget is $3M, which includes $2M in California State Library grants and $1M in memorial funds donated to the City for library improvements.

"We are grateful to the California State Library for their support and their willingness to invest in aging library infrastructure across the state," said Mayor Kate Colin. "The Downtown Carnegie is a much-loved community resource. This project will ensure that the building remains safe and operational, and the community will still be able to access the City's incredible library programming and check out books and other items at the temporary location."

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For more information on the Downtown Library Renovation and Pop-Up Library, visit www.srpubliclibrary.org.

For more information on the California State Library's Building Forward Grant program, visit www.library.ca.gov/grants/buildingforward/

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