Library Renewal Project butterfly

Welcome to the Library Renewal Project webpage –your one-stop for information pertaining to the interior renovation of the Pacific Grove Public Library! Here you can find an overview of the project, construction updates, the project evolution and history, a photo gallery of construction progress, funding information and more!

PROJECT OVERVIEWThe Library Renewal Project is an extensive interior remodel of the Pacific Grove Public Library located at 550 Central Avenue. The project has 3 primary components -- preserve the community’s past, enhance the present and prepare for the future. The interior remodel will honor the historic nature of the Library by restoring the original Carnegie portions and enhancing its integration to later building additions, perform needed repairs and maintenance throughout the facility, and ensure the building meets the needs of generations to come!

Through generous funding from the City, the Friends of the Pacific Grove Public Library, the Library Foundation, and members of the community, over $3 million has been collected to bring this project to life! Detailed information on the scope of work, project history and evolution, and funding information can be found below.

The Pacific Grove Library building will be closed until Fall 2020 to allow for the construction. During this time, library services will be provided at The Holman Building 542 Lighthouse Avenue, Suite 111. Click HERE to learn more about current library services

CONSTRUCTION UPDATESLibrary Renewal construction commenced in November 2019 and was deemed substantially complete in July 2020. The project was fully closed out and a Notice of Completion was issued in January 2021. Monthly construction memorandums, issued by the Public Works Director, document the construction progress, expenditures, change orders, and project completion percentages over the course of construction. Check out the Final Construction Memo issued February 11, 2021. 

PHOTO GALLERYIn addition to the monthly construction memos, the project photo gallery will be regularly updated to depict construction progress. Virtually tour this active construction site and see the Library transform by clicking through our image gallery!

Photo Gallery Image_0
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Project Evolution & History

Established in 1908 with a grant from Andrew Carnegie and community donations, the Pacific Grove Public Library has served generations of Pacific Grove residents and Peninsula citizens. More than a century later, our proud Carnegie Library is being renewed! Below is a timeline detailing the project’s evolution and key milestones.

Part 1- Timeline

The Library Renewal Project Scope of Work
The Library Renewal Project has 3 primary components:

  1. Preserving our Community's Past
    • Reveal and refinish the 1908 Carnegie rotunda
    • Restore and connect the historic "heart" of the library
    • Create a central history space to preserve and display our irreplaceable local archives
  2. Enhancing the Present
    • Provide comfortable, accessible, and welcoming community spaces to support early literacy, lifelong learning and information access for all ages and abilities through children's services, internet access, study group, small and large meetings, and public programs
    • Update restrooms, carpeting, shelving, and fixtures
    • Improve usability and accessibility with a new central service desk, upgraded and energy-efficient lighting, improved lighting and wayfinding
  3. Preparing for our Community's Future
    • Improve and expand connectivity and infrastructure for 21st century needs
    • Provide flexible spaces to support quiet reading, group study, programs, and meetings
    • Ensure the renewed library meets the needs of generations to come

Click on images to enlarge

Slide1    Library visual scope of work    Slide3

Slide4    Slide5    Slide6

Completion of the Library Renewal Project will greatly improve the look, feel and usability of the Library. Patrons will enter a bright central room, with shelving lit and oriented for improved access for patrons of all ages and abilities. The historic Carnegie rotunda, with gleaming wood finishes and heritage carpeting, replica chandeliers in the newly revealed vaulted ceiling, comfortable and historic furniture, and a sense of elegance and ease, will restore the experience of entering the library on its opening day in 1908. A graceful transition between the Carnegie rotunda and subsequent nearby additions will be achieved through carpeting, paint, lighting and user?friendly seating. A dedicated space will display and store irreplaceable local history and community memories.

Meeting, seating and quiet study areas will be achieved through flexible furnishings and temporary closure solutions throughout the library. Single user and family/ADA restrooms will take the place of current substandard facilities. The children’s room will be freshly refurbished with bright carpeting, paint, furnishings, and new youth?height shelving. Accessible and improved signage for wayfinding will support diverse users and staff areas will receive updating for improved use and efficiency.
Library Renewal Funding
This project is funded by a City-Community Partnership. Through generous funding from the City, foundations, and members of the community, approximately $3 million has been collected to preserve and enhance our beloved library!

Fundraising Campaign

In 2017, the library’s three support organizations—the Library Board, the Friends of the Pacific Grove Library and the Library Foundation—along with the Library Director and community volunteers joined together to oversee a capital campaign to raise funds to bring the Library Renewal Project, designed by Karin Payson architecture + design, to life!  The campaign received approval from the City Council to direct $400,000 over two years from the city’s general fund, as well as major pledges from both the Friends of the Library and the Library Foundation.

To date, the fundraising campaign has raised over $2.6 million dollars! The fundraising efforts, paired with the City’s contributions, amass to over $3 million of total project funding.

Project Budget

The chart below epresents the budget associated with the three main components of the Libray Renewal Project.

Design & Engineering $ 384,298
Construction $ 2,441,915
Library Relocation & Continued Services $ 272,800
Total Project Cost $ 3,099,013
CONSTRUCTION UPDATES
Monthly Construction Memos

stay informed

white butterfly