Our Oakland: Eastside Stories is an integrated public art project by artist Rene Yung that will beautify the new East Oakland Community Library and create an online archive of stories told by East Oakland residents about their community.  Our Oakland is a citywide collaboration between the people of Oakland, the Oakland Public Library, Oakland Public Art Program, and community partners.
 
Link:  http://oaklandspeaks.weebly.com
 

Fall 2008 Update: Construction Has Begun!

After a slight delay, construction began this past summer on the $14.3 million East Oakland Community Library, a joint Oakland Public Schools/Oakland Public Library project! Workers for NBC General Contractors have dug the trenches, installed rebar, and are working on pouring the footings for the library’s foundation. The Oakland Public Library will soon be installing a Web video camera to keep our community updated on how construction is proceeding on this exciting endeavor.

View live video from the 81st. Ave. construction site: Camera 1, Camera 2

View pictures of construction site here.

Hundreds Break Ground for New East Oakland Community Library

Nearly 250 city and state officials, community members, and students attended the groundbreaking ceremony on May 30, 2008 for the new East Oakland Community Library. Library Director Carmen Martínez welcomed the crowd and introduced Mayor Ron Dellums, City Administrator Deborah Edgerly, Councilman Larry Reid, and others who described how libraries open a world of possibilities for their neighborhoods. Several student representatives from the nearby ACORN Woodland Elementary School and EnCompass Academy also spoke.

View photos from the groundbreaking…

In 2009, a state-of-the-art 21,000 square foot public library is coming to an East Oakland neighborhood and will be sharing a campus with two new small public elementary schools.

In 2004, the Oakland Public Library received $6.5 million in funding from the California Reading and Literacy Improvement and Public Library Construction and Renovation Bond Act of 2000 (Propositions 14) to build a brand new community library in East Oakland. The plan would locate the new library on the same campus as two of Oakland’s New Small Autonomous Schools – EnCompass Academy and Acorn Woodland School.

In recognition of the importance of the East Oakland Community Library project to the growth and sustainability of a fragile neighborhood, the Oakland Redevelopment Agency agreed to match the Proposition 14 funding with $3.5 million in local redevelopment funds.

Locating the community library on the school campuses will mark a new level of cooperation between the Oakland Public Library and the Oakland Unified School District. The shared-use facility means construction and operational cost-savings for both the library and the school district, while bringing coordinated resources to the entire community.

The Oakland Unified School District has committed the land and a total of $497,065 for site development and construction of the common use areas.

The Oakland Public Library is raising funds from private donations for new furniture, fixtures, equipment, and for additional Green building projects for the branch library. For information on the East Oakland Branch Library campaign, contact Winifred Walters, the library’s Grant & Development Manager, at wwalters@oaklandlibrary.org

Quick Facts

Location: 81 st Avenue and Rudsdale Street
Total Project Cost: $14.3 million
New Construction Commencement Date: Summer, 2008
Projected Completion and Move-In Date: Early Winter, 2009
Square Footage: 21,000 square feet
US Green Building Council Certification Target: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Rating
Architect: Group4 Architecture, Research and Planning
Current Funders, $25,000+ (as of 12/31/2008): State of California (Proposition 14), Oakland Redevelopment Agency, Oakland Unified School District, Anonymous (2), Shrader Family Trusts, Koret Foundation, Thomas J. Long Foundation, Y&H Soda Foundation, The David B. Gold Foundation, Alameda County Waste Management Authority/StopWaste.Org, Friends of the Oakland Public Library, Morris Stulsaft Foundation, Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Foundation, Crescent Porter Hale Foundation

Special Features

Storytime & Family Reading Alcove
Children’s Multi-Purpose Room
Teen Services Area with Stepped Seating for Teens
Preschool & Family Areas
Adult (Quiet) Reading Room
Internet Café
Copy Center
Community Meeting Room
Library Classroom

Technology:
Computer Lab
62 Computers
Cabling & communications media in classroom/community meeting rooms

Green Building:
Solar PV Panels
LEED Silver Rating