Library

Central Library Children's Room Gets a Makeover (spring 2008)

The children's room at the Central Library has a fresh look thanks to new soft kid-size chairs, a brightly colored rug,

and some hands-on toys including a color-change touch board and magnetic mazes. Preschool storytime is at 10:30 most Thursdays.

Location:

Between 8th Street and 9th Street on the north side of E Street. The Children's area is on the 2nd floor. (Thomas Bros. 1289B3)

619-236-5800 for more information.

Getting There:

From the northern Gaslamp trolley stop, walk 2 blocks south on 6th Street and 2 blocks east on E Street.

From the many buses that travel along Broadway, stop at 9th Avenue, walk 1 block south and a half block west.

By car, meters are available. Note that a playgroup member's car window was broken and her stereo was stolen in broad daylight in a lot near the library.

Amenities:

Programs include story times, crafts, and special projects.  Books, CDs, and DVDs are available for checkout.

School District Votes on Library Tuesday 6/23/09

The June 23, 2009 Board meeting may determine whether the new library will be built.  To speak at the meeting, visit http://www.sandi.net/board/publictestimonyrequest.aspx.  The meeting begins at 5pm.  The staff report is supportive, but not all Board members agree.  The agenda item reads:

F.08. Agreement with the City of San Diego for the Incorporation of an Educational Facility in the New Main Downtown Library (Board Governance Policy: OE-13)

The staff report states:

RECOMMENDATION: Approve a Letter of Intent (LOI) agreement with the City of San Diego for the placement of a charter school in the new central library to support downtown educational requirements.

FISCAL IMPACT: The district will enter into a 40-year, $20 million lease to acquire use of two floors of the central library for a secondary school. This amount will be paid to the City in installments during the course of construction of the shell building. Proposition S funds will cover the lease costs. The Prop S ballot measure earmarked $20 million dollars to provide support educational opportunities in the downtown area.

BACKGROUND: For several weeks, district and city staff, and supporting real estate, legal brokerage experts have been negotiating a library-high school partnership. At the June 9, 2009 closed session, the board agreed to pursue a 40-year, $20 million lease with the City. ^th Street, Park Boulevard, J Street, and K Street in downtown San Diego. The lease term is for 40 years, with the option to purchase the premises at the end of the 10^th, 20^th, 30^th, and 40^th years of the lease term. The purchase price will be the greater of: (a) the fair market value; or (b) tenant’s proportionate share (estimated at 23 percent) of actual building shell construction costs with land value incorporated at $200 per square foot. The method for determining fair market value will be agreed to and contained in the lease document. Either party has the ability to terminate prior to construction as outlined in the agreement. See attachment A.

A Union Tribune article on this topic is available at http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stori...iding-fund-li/

Status Update from Coffee with Nancy (2/2/07)

Nancy Graham responded to a question about the future central library:  CCDC has committed $80 million to the new library.  The funding is budgeted over the next two years, but could be leveraged as soon as the city is ready to move forward.  Environmental issues have been addressed.  The mayor isn't putting general funds toward the new library; private fund raising is being pursued.  A few large donors may be announced soon with total contributions of approximately $40 million.  Approximately $50 million in private funding would be enough to allow construction to begin.  CCDC has expressed willingness to manage construction.  She noted that the funding issues being addressed do not include the funding of the furnishing of the library.