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The Menlo Park Library Foundation is delighted to announce that work is beginning on the renovation of the Children’s Area of the Library. We appreciate your support in raising $500,000 to give our children the library they deserve.
The Children’s Department will close for renovation during January and February. The following services will be available to patrons via a satellite space downstairs in the Community Room:
- Children’s Staff
- Limited selection of materials for check-out
- Weekly Storytimes
- Special Family Programs, to be announced
Watch for an invitation to celebrate the opening of revamped children’s library. |
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Renovate the Children's Area!
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In the last year-
• Children made more than 20,000 reference queries
• Children checked out over 230,000 books and audiovisuals
• Nearly 18,000 children attended a Library program
More and more children are using the Library every year,
but the Children’s Area has had no major renovation
since 1992... and it shows!
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The Menlo Park Library Foundation invites you to help the Library better serve
its youngest patrons. Our goal is to raise $500,000 to make immediate renovations
in the Children’s Area and to ensure the Library’s ability to stay abreast of our
children’s needs. |
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Changes in Use of Children’s Area Since Last Renovation in 1992/93
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1992/93 |
2006/07 |
| Children borrowers, ages 0-14 |
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| Circulation of children’s materials |
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| Children’s books held by Library |
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| Children’s audio materials |
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| Children’s video materials |
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| Attendance at pre-school programs |
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| Attendance at school-age programs |
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Improvements to the Children’s Area include:
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Redesigned facilities for children’s programs
• Improved space for storytime
• New portable stage and speaker system for authors’ visits and outdoor events
• New upholstered step-seating in storytime area |
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New homework center
• New computer table and six new computers
• Two new study tables and seating for eight |
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New children’s reference desk
• New relocated reference desk
• New seating for two librarians and two junior patrons
• New self-check terminal and stand
• Three new online catalog terminals and stands
• New overhead lighting |
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New early-literacy area for beginning and junior readers
• Four new computer stations with pre-literacy and learn-to-read software
• New study table and seating for four |
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New young adult area
• New location in the main library |
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Improved comfort and flexibility
• New carpeting and paint
• New movable bookcases
• New installed bookshelves
• New toddler table and chairs
• New casual seating tables and chairs
• New display case |
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Funding for the Renovation Project |
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The City of Menlo Park committed $241,000 to the renovation, releasing $145,000
of the financial reserves that had accumulated for use by the Library since 1992 and an
additional $65,000 of an endowment fund held by the City for the benefit of the Library. |
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The Public Works Department budgeted $31,000 for new carpets and painting.
(Note that not a single penny will come from the City’s general fund.) |
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Additional Funding |
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The Friends of the Menlo Park Library, a volunteer organization dedicated to helping the Library, contributed $100,000 to this crucial improvement.
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By the end of 2009, we had received almost $162,000 in money and pledges from local foundations and individuals in our community.
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Timetable for Project |
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Construction has begun and the renovated Children’s Area will be in full bloom by late March. |
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Support for Project |
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I am especially pleased that the Menlo Park Library Foundation is strongly committed to raising funds to aid the renovation and long needed modernization of our children’s department.
– Susan E. Holmer, Director of Library Services |
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The Library Commission fully supports the Library Foundation’s campaign for a more modern Children’s Area in the Menlo Park Library.
– Anna Zara, Chairperson, Menlo Park Library Commission |
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Please join our drive to build the future of the Menlo Park Library for its youngest and most impressionable citizens.
– William E. Critzer, President, Menlo Park Library Foundation |
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Menlo Park Library Foundation
800 Alma Street
(650) 321-1084 |
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