Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Media Contact: Kathleen Hirooka, Community Relations Coordinator
(510)238-6713,
khirooka@oaklandlibrary.org
or Alison Bowman, (510)238-3271, abowmanopl@yahoo.com
February 15, 2005
OAKLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY SETS MARCH 7, 2005 AS OPENING DATE
FOR RENOVATED CHILDREN'S ROOM
Oakland, CA. - The Children's Room - currently housed in a temporary space in Oakland's Main Library (125 14th Street) - will be closed from Monday, February 28 through Sunday, March 6, 2005 while it relocates to its newly remodeled space on the Oak Street side of the building. Everyone is invited to check out the renovated and refurbished Children's Room when it reopens on Monday, March 7, 10:00 am.
Stoner-Meek Architecture and Urban Design created the plan with the primary goal of making the Children's Room a more inviting, friendly space for Oakland's youth. New features that will greet visitors include enhanced multi-media collections (including DVD's), more state-of-the-art public computers, an expanded popular materials area, cozy window nooks for reading or daydreaming, improved lighting and heating, colorful carpets, fresh paint, and new child-friendly counters and shelving. This $425,800 project was paid for by private donations from the Farallon Foundation, The William G. Irwin Charitable Foundation, Goodman Family Charitable Foundation, HEDCO Foundation, Simpson PSB Fund, Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation, SBC, and the Zimmer Family Foundation under the auspices of the Oakland Public Library Foundation. To further enhance this space, a series of murals will be created in the future by famed author/illustrator, Thatcher Hurd (Art Dog, Mama Don't Allow). The primary contractor who worked on the Children's Room project was Hung Construction, with project management provided by the City of Oakland's Public Works Agency.
During the closure period, the PASS! Homework Program will meet as usual. In addition, borrowed items may be returned to the Main Library circulation desk on the first floor or via book drops located on 14th and 13th Streets. Parents and children seeking children's materials may wish to use the nearby Asian Branch Library (388 9th Street, Suite 190) in downtown Oakland or the Lakeview Branch Library, 550 El Embarcadero at Grand Avenue.
The Oakland Public Library Foundation is continuing to fund-raise to purchase furniture and new signage for the Children's Room. A donor board will be created listing the names of those who contribute $500 and up. For more information about how you can contribute, please contact the Foundation at (510) 251-2466.
The Oakland Public Library is a department of the City of Oakland. For further information about the closure or new space, please contact the Children's Room at (510) 238-3615.
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