Architects
San Mateo’s new Main Library was designed by Esherick Homsey Dodge
& Davis (EHDD), an architecture, interior design and graphic
design firm with offices in San Francisco, Chicago, and Monterey.
EHDD is a leading designer of museums, aquariums, academic
buildings, schools, civic buildings, libraries, and private
residences. EHDD designed the Science Library at the University of
California, Santa Cruz, the Mountain View Public Library and is
perhaps best known for its design of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
EHDD’s latest achievement is the design of the Main Library in San
Mateo for which it and the City of San Mateo have garnered many
awards including the prestigious LEED Gold Award from the U.S.
Green Building Council.
Building Design
Settled among heritage redwood trees, the new library is airy,
modern, and light. It is built using natural materials and
energy-efficient and environment-friendly techniques. As a “green
building,” it is one of the very few government buildings in
California to showcase energy-efficient and effective design.
The new Main Library is designed as both an architectural and
institutional anchor to the redevelopment of downtown San Mateo.
The building features courtyards and terraces; plenty of
comfortable seating; specially designed areas for children and
teens; 100 Internet terminals; multi-person workstations; quiet
areas for reading and study; a coffee bar; art; and more.
Flexible, up-to-the-minute technology strengthens the Library's
ability to respond to local business and schools as they require
more information online. An underground parking lot provides 159
parking spaces including “plug in” spaces for electric cars.
Funding the New
Library and Branch Improvements
Funding for the new library and improvements to the Hillsdale and
Marina Branch Libraries is from three primary sources: A $35
million bond passed overwhelmingly by San Mateo voters in 1999,
$20 million in matching funds for construction provided by State
Bond Funds, and a $10 million local fundraising campaign led by
the San Mateo Public Library Foundation to which hundreds of local
citizens, businesses and corporations, the Town of Hillsborough
and foundations have contributed.
Although the Library was finished and opened in 2006, the
Foundation’s fundraising to meet its commitment to the City of $10
million in funds for the construction of the new building
continues. Approximately $450,000 remains to be raised to complete
the goal.
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