Sunnyvale's Public Library

Sunnyvale's Public Library has served the Sunnyvale community for almost 50 years and as Sunnyvale has grown, so has the Library. The existing Library was built in 1960 after voters passed a bond to fund its construction. In 1970, a major expansion added 21,000 square-feet to the existing 20,000 square-foot facility, but in only nine years further expansion was needed. In 1985, another 19,000 square feet were added, bringing the Library to its current 60,000 square-foot size.

Today, a little more than 20 years later, Library usage has almost doubled. In 2006, more than 766,000 visitors checked out more than 2.2 million books and other materials.

The Sunnyvale Public Library is one of the busiest in the state for its size. Parents and their children come to the Library for its educational and learning programs. The Library and local public schools work together to provide Library access to Sunnyvale students. Community college students use the Library for research materials and seniors use the Library for access to books and other materials.

Questions & Answers about the Proposed New Sunnyvale Public Library

What is the "Sunnyvale Library of the Future"?
Sunnyvale's Library of the Future Project aims to develop a comprehensive plan of service and facility strategy to address the Sunnyvale community's library needs to 2030. The Sunnyvale Library of the Future Study and Strategy, completed by Anderson Brule Architects in June 2007, incorporates community input and provides a roadmap to meeting the community's needs.

Why is a new Library needed?
The existing Library is more than 50 years old and was built for a much smaller community, one about two-thirds the size of Sunnyvale's current population. While the Library has been expanded several times, it has reached its capacity and it is not cost-effective to expand the existing facility. It is no longer feasible with the aging building to try to keep up with the latest research technologies and offer the services Sunnyvale residents have come to expect.

What are the plans for a new Library?
City Council has approved a conceptual plan for a new Library to be located near City Hall at Olive Avenue and Charles Street. Building a branch library will be studied in the future. A bond measure - Measure B - has been placed on the November 6, 2007 ballot to fund the construction of the new Library. If the bond measure is approved by two-thirds of Sunnyvale voters, construction of the approximately 116,000 square-foot library would begin next year and the new Sunnyvale Public Library would be anticipated to open in 2011. The design would maintain the community garden in its present location if possible, taking into account various project requirements and site opportunities for the Library.

What will the new Library cost?
The Measure B Library bond measure will authorize $108 million for library construction. Commercial and residential property owners would be assessed an average of $19.52 per $100,000 of assessed value (not market value) per year for 30 years to pay off the bond. Bond revenue may only be used to pay for construction of the new Library and may not be used to pay for operational costs. The City estimates $2.2 million will be needed annually to operate a new library. To date, any opposition to the project that the City is aware of has cited the cost of the new Library as a concern. Supporters assert the new Library will meet the needs of Sunnyvale's population.

What will the new Library look like?
The Library of the Future Study and Strategy provided a number of design options for the new Sunnyvale Library, however, a final design will be developed based on previously discussed ideas and additional community input.

What happens if the Measure B Library bond measure is not passed by voters?
If the Library bond measure does not pass, the Library will continue to provide services subject to existing space and technology limitations.

What will happen to the Charles Street Garden if a new Library is built?
Recognizing that the community garden is a community asset, Sunnyvale City Council has expressed strong support for maintaining the community garden in its present location, if possible, taking into account the various project requirements and site opportunities for the Library.

What will happen to the existing Library building?
The new Library will be built at Olive Avenue and Charles Street at the Civic Center. The existing Library building may be used as office space for the City or for a yet to be determined community use.

The new Sunnyvale Library will be green-designed and certified "LEED Platinum." What does this mean?
LEED Platinum is the highest designation in the Green Building Rating System developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to measure environmental sustainability in buildings. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

When will the new Sunnyvale Library open?
If the measure is approved by two-thirds of Sunnyvale voters, construction of the approximately 116,000 square-foot Library would begin next year, and the new Sunnyvale Public Library would be anticipated to open in 2011.

Where can I find more information about the Measure B Library Bond measure?
The tax rate statement, impartial analysis, and argument in favor of Measure B can be found at BallotMeasures.inSunnyvale.com. 

Project Highlights

#1 - A larger, modern Library to meet the needs of our growing population. The existing Library was built in 1960 and since then, Sunnyvale's population has more than doubled. Sunnyvale Library has become one of the busiest in the state with 2.2 million checkouts in 2006 and approximately 2,200 visits per day.

#2 - Green-designed, carbon-neutral and certified LEED Platinum. LEED Platinum is the highest designation in the point system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. The Library would be environmentally-sustainable and have advanced, energy-efficient features.

#3 - Expanded spaces to meet the educational needs of Sunnyvale's children. A conceptual design approved by City Council has more space than the existing library for a children's reading room and is intended to provide room for educational programs, such as computer classes, homework assistance, tutoring and group study.

#4 - Upgraded and modernized plumbing, ventilation, heating and electrical systems. Much of the physical infrastructure of the current facility is 50 years old. New infrastructure is needed to ensure the Library can provide expanded and wireless technology, upgraded computer labs and other research technologies.

#5 - Expansion and upgrade of the Library's collection. The conceptual design for a new Library would provide Sunnyvale residents access to more books, CDs, DVDs and downloadable materials.

Library of the Future Study and Strategy Document
This Sunnyvale Library of the Future Study and Strategy, completed by Anderson Brule Architects in June 2007, incorporates community input and provides a roadmap to meeting the community's needs. The document is divided into two volumes, the Study & Strategy components in Volume 1 and an appendix in Volume 2.

Volume 1, Table of Contents & Introduction (pdf, 7 pages)
Volume 1, Community Needs Assessment and Library Plan of Service (pdf, 115 pages)
Volume 1, Building Program (pdf, 20 pages)
Volume 1, Existing Facility Assessment (pdf, 42 pages) 
Volume 1, Facility Scenarios (pdf, 86 pages)
Volume 1, Preferred Facility Strategy (pdf, 37 pages)
Volume 2, Resources and Reference Material, Process Participants, Needs Assessment Outreach Activities (pdf, 26 pages)
Volume 2, Process Memoranda (pdf, 140 pages) 
Volume 2, U.S. Census American Community Survey 2005 Tables (pdf, 12 pages) 
Volume 2, City of Sunnyvale Glossary of Financing Mechanisms (pdf, 5 pages)
Volume 2, Building Program Summary (pdf, 14 pages)
Volume 2, Individual Space Data Sheets (pdf, 223 pages)

Reports to Council
July 24, 2007 - Approved City Council Minutes
July 24, 2007 - Adoption of Ordinance No. 2843-07 Ordering the Submission of a Proposition of Incurring Bonded Debt to the Qualified Voters of the City of Sunnyvale at the General Municipal Election to be Held on November 6, 2007, for the Purpose of the Acquisition, Construction and Improvement of Public Library Facilities (pdf)
July 17, 2007 - Approved City Council Minutes
July 17, 2007 - RTC 07-255 Adoption of the Resolution of Necessity and Introduction of an Ordinance to Place a General Obligation Bond Before Qualified Voters on November 6, 2007 for the Purpose of the Design and Construction of a New Sunnyvale Public Library and Approval of Budget Modification No. 4 (pdf)
June 19, 2007 - Approved City Council Minutes

June 19, 2007 - RTC 07-218 Sunnyvale Library of the Future Study and Strategy - Preferred Facility Strategy and Funding Options (pdf)
June 5, 2007 - City Council and Board of Library Trustees Joint Study Session Agenda - Preferred Facility Strategy and Funding Options (pdf)
April 24, 2007 - Approved City Council Minutes 
April 24, 2007 - RTC 07-130 Sunnyvale Library of the Future Study and Strategy: Facility Scenarios (pdf)
January 23, 2007 - Approved City Council Minutes
January 23, 2007 - Slide Presentation (pdf)
January 23, 2007 - RTC 07-017 Draft Sunnyvale Library of the Future Study and Strategy: Needs Assessment and Plan of Service, Building Program, and Existing Facility Assessment; and Parameters for Future Facilities Options
August 22, 2006 - Approved City Council Minutes

August 22, 2006 - RTC 06-279 Award of Contract Resulting from Request from Proposals No. F0607-01 for a Sunnyvale Library of the Future Study (pdf)
April 25, 2006 - Approved City Council Minutes
April 25, 2006 - RTC 06-117 Study Issue - Report of the Vision for Sunnyvale's Library of the Future, and Assess Future Library Facility Need