Lafayette Library and Learning Center
The Lafayette Library and Learning Center represents a community-driven effort to build a regional resource and national model for the library of the future. Hailed as a “national model” [1][2] for libraries, the Lafayette Library and Learning Center is also be home to the Glenn Seaborg Learning Consortium, an innovative partnership of the region’s leading arts, culture, and educational institutions.
Named after the Nobel Prize-winning physicist, advisor to nine U.S. Presidents, and long-time Lafayette resident, the Glenn Seaborg Learning Consortium enables public library patrons, children, families, groups and institutions to tap into an unprecedented wealth of materials, archives, workshops, exhibits, K-12 curricula, lectures, films, and discovery centers[1] from the following organizations: UC Lawrence Hall of Science, Oakland Museum of California, Chabot Space and Science Center, Commonwealth Club of California, Oakland Zoo in Knowland Park, John Muir Health, Lindsay Wildlife Museum, California Shakespeare Theater, Greenbelt Alliance, John F. Kennedy University, St. Mary’s College, and the UC Institute of Governmental Studies.
The Lafayette Library and Learning Center and the Glenn Seaborg Learning Consortium are designed to be a nexus of learning and growth for the entire community. "By collaborating, libraries, museums and archives can: support lifelong learning and community development, become partners in a variety of cultural and economic initiatives, enable universal access to information, preserve heritage materials, reach new customers and improve core services."[3]
History
The Lafayette Library and Learning Center was first proposed to the City of Lafayette at the end of 2003. Considerable work on the part of the Friends of the Lafayette Library and the Lafayette Community Foundation culminated in a vote by the City to support the Library in January 2004.[4] In 2004 the membership of the Glenn Seaborg Learning Consortium was finalized and funding was pursued. In November 2004 the project was awarded $11.9M by the State of California.[5][6] In 2004-2005 City officials brokered a deal with the local veterans to build a new Veteran's Hall at the west end of Lafayette and to take over the former Veteran's Hall in the downtown area for use by the new Library. The new Veteran's Hall was completed late in 2005. Meanwhile community donations were raised which matched the State grant of $11.9M.[7] Construction bids were gathered and the ground breaking for the new Library occurred on April 20, 2007.[8] During this period Seaborg Consortium programming began using the existing library space and the new Lafayette Veteran's Hall.
The Lafayette Library and Learning Center opened[9] for the first time on Saturday, November 14, 2009.
References
- ^ a b http://www.libraryjournal.com/index.asp?layout=articlePrint&articleid=CA375445
- ^ http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-20429435_ITM
- ^ http://www.ifla.org/files/public-libraries/publications/prof-report-108/108-en.pdf
- ^ http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/01/14/BAGHK49F3G1.DTL&type=printable
- ^ http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/11/30/BAGMJA3KUO28.DTL&type=printable
- ^ http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA485361.html?display=breakingNews
- ^ http://www.lafayettelib.com/pdf/Press%20Release/press%20release.1.25.06.html
- ^ http://www.lafayettelib.com/pdf/Press%20Release/librarycampaigngroundbreakingpressrelease.html
- ^ http://www.flickr.com/photos/lllcf-photos/sets/72157623004285104/