|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
A plan to accept a multi-million-dollar gift from developer John Arrillaga to rebuild the Menlo Park main library has its critics who point out that the city may have to come up with as much as $30 million for something the city doesn’t really need.
Menlo Park resident Adina Levin told the City Council on Oct. 10 that she is “befuddled” over how rebuilding the main library is a community priority. Spending money on a new library could defer work on more urgent needs, she said, such as forming a transportation management association to reduce the number of single-occupancy vehicle trips in the city.
The council had on its plate at the meeting a proposal to start work on a library rebuild by authorizing spending of up to $1 million for preliminary planning and hiring a manager for up to five years to oversee the project. (See staff report.)
The plan has its supporters as well as critics, but the council decided to defer action until Councilwoman Catherine Carlton, who was absent, could join the discussion, which may be as early as Oct. 17.
Supporters of moving forward with the new library, including Gloria Darke and Iona Szkurnik, wrote in emails to the council that delays could “permanently affect Mr. Arrillaga’s gift and this would be a real loss to the entire Menlo Park community.”
Belle Haven library
Another point raised by critics of the plan is that the Belle Haven branch library has more urgent needs than the main library in the Civic Center.
Matt Henry, who lives in Belle Haven, told the council that residents of his neighborhood have for years asked the city to improve their library. “We did not just start thinking about this library four months ago,” he said. “We’ve been working on this for a decade and we’re still waiting.”
The city does plan to make improvements there. City staff is recommending that the council authorize spending $140,000 on a new carpet and furniture, a paint job, and an expanded collection of materials for adult library users.
Also, the city is working on a library needs assessment for the Belle Haven library, set to start in November. To help with the assessment, city staff recommends forming a Belle Haven Neighborhood Library Advisory Committee.
• Earlier story: Oct. 10: Menlo Park council could approve major spending for library system.
Redwood City attorney sues ‘First Amendment auditors’ after Menlo Park disputeApril 2, 2026 11:31 am
I definitely concur with the opinion that it is unnecessary to update the Menlo Park library and that any funds available would be out to far better use in other ways, including improving the Belle Haven Library, addressing affordable housing and transportation issues.
Perhaps Mr. Arrillaga could be persuaded to direct his charitable offering elsewhere, where the needs are greater.
Tell Arrillaga he can put his name on a new Belle Haven library as there’s a limit of one named building per person in the civic center.
A couple of things. One, I agree with others that there are more pressing NEEDS for our tax dollars. They must address the upcoming, overwhelming auto impact of 2 extremely large projects (Stanford & old Cadillac spot), not to mention the smaller ones. Included with this is consideration for people biking and walking in the ECR area affected. Another is the impact that will be experienced by off-ECR streets that will be discovered and used for ‘skirting sround.’
Homelessness and inhumane treatment is ongoing and what is the town offering those living in cars or on the streets? This is so obviously not-okay.
Why do we elect officials who govern over specific departments that are in charge of MP running efficiently, keeping in mind all impacts of choices. Why do we need to spend money then on a committee or person(s) who are to define, identify, conclude, etc. whether a specific idea is worthwhile or doable? Why is this always coming up?? And how much $ is used for these investigators? Where does the Planning Commission come in with regard to this sort of WANT, where individuals look into the pros and cons, then give a report? Who are these people? As my money pays salaries, I’d like to know the names and experience/education of them. Who chooses them?
People are waking up and becoming pro-active with their local governments.
Giving a measly ~$170,000 for Belle Haven is insulting to all of us.
Mr. A.’s offer came up months ago and was shelved. All of a sudden, it’s back! Why? No one has contacted me for my opinion nor have they taken an adequate survey, imo. Why not set aside $ to hire people to call or walk to residences to gather information from those who LIVE in MP, use MP facilities and pay taxes?
The residents’ opinions comprise part ofz3 a balance for government programs. I can’t imagine there isn’t something in the city handbook that addresses this.
It ain’t broke: don’t fix it.
Recall also that our library was renovated not long ago.
We are a small town–we don’t need a huge, ultra-new library.
But we could use some new copies of classics that get worn out.
There’s also inter-library loan so you can borrow books and DVDs from other, bigger libraries.
And remember the fiasco Palo Alto experienced with the new Mitchell Park library.
Remember too that gifts from Arrillaga often come with strings attached…
Let’s pass on this one.
Our library is…not great. If you’ve been to other libraries on the peninsula, you’ll see places that are civic centers — teen areas, conference rooms for patrons to use, comfortable reading areas, classes, computer centers, cafes and more.
They’re not just pickup stations for your hold on a DVD from Millbrae.
I think our library does it’s best with what it has, but it could be so much more.
Side note: I don’t get all the hate that Arrillaga gets for donating money to MP. He’s donated more to MP than I’ll ever make. Not clear why that makes him a bad guy.
Library Fan
It’s called priorities because the city still has to come up with another $30 million to build the new edifice. Money that can be better used on other city needs which are actually needed.
I agree with enuff,
if we have $30 million Dollars to spare how about setting a precedent and give a tax rebate. Government always assumes if there’s money lying around it needs to be spent.
Or
Suggest you look at what it going on in Sonoma County, Now picture an earthquake instead. How about a set aside fund for what every expert will tell you is a matter of when not if.
In response to library fan, I agree that our library lags those in other cities. However the root cause is not Menlo Park’s spending. It’s time for our city to conduct a survey of library employees to get their insights and suggestions into how to fix the problem. I suspect that if they were assured of confidentialty, we would learn much.
I agree that we don’t need to spend $30 million or even $10 million on rebuilding the library. Regardless of the contribution from John Arrillaga who seems to want to put his name on every building in Menlo Park it will still cost Menlo Park, the residents of Menlo Park, millions of dollars that would b e better spent elsewhere. First off Belle Haven needs a new library, not a cheap make over. Take the donation and build that. The city council should spend the hard earned money of the residents on things that are needed now, like addressing the traffic issues that impact us daily.
@Library Fan
One reason why Arrillaga might be viewed more negatively this time around is the fact that when asked about whether he wanted to contribute to rebuilding the Belle Haven library, where the city could really use the money, he said he was “not at all interested” in that. That doesn’t seem to be a terribly compassionate attitude. It makes the offer seem a little less philanthropic.
I use the Main Library a lot and it’s already great. Spending tens of millions of public and private funds to rebuild it is nonsensical. In response to some comments above, it already has a teen area — no need to rebuild it for that. And there are plenty of nearby places to buy and eat food, ignoring the fact that libraries exist to feed the mind, not the stomach. Other kinds of spaces can easily be created within the existing walls, if necessary.
When private donors truly want to help a community, they first strive to understand the largest needs. Arrillaga seems more intent on erecting some huge structure to put his name on that will be seen by the most eyeballs. Our response should be “no thank you.”
According to today’s edition of “InMenlo”:
“On Wednesday, October 25, 2016, from 6:30-8:00 pm, the City of Menlo Park is hosting a community meeting to discuss the new, Newspaper Box (Rack) Ordinance to be adopted by the city.
The meeting will be held at the Arrillaga Recreation Center located at 700 Alma St. Sample ordinances, implantation timelines, rack specification and rack locations are some of the subjects to will be discussed.
There will be plenty of opportunity for public comment and input. If you have any questions, please contact Meghan Revolinsky at 650-330-6648 or marevolinsky@menlopark.org.”
So the public can make comments on Newspaper Boxes, but not on the library proposal? Does anyone else notice a disconnect here? And what about the irony that the Newspaper Box community meeting will be held at the Arrillaga Recreation Center?
The Menlo Park Library on Alma is a wonderful library – why not commit to upgrading the Belle Haven Library instead?
The library in Belle Haven should come first before anything is done at the Main Library–as the needs are far greater in Belle Haven. The offer of money has redirected what was going to be a priority for the city–focusing on much-needed library services for Belle Haven. New paint and carpeting is not enough–a new facility is needed at a location other than at Belle Haven Elementary. Current library hours are extremely limited because of its location and despite repeated requests over the years to the City.
It is also my understanding that the Library Commission–the citizen advisory group for Menlo Park library services–was bypassed in developing this staff report.
This report should be rewritten with input that has been given to the City many times over by Belle Haven residents and also include input from the Library Commission.
Make no mistake: the impetus behind this is that Arrillaga will benefit financially. Yes, he is generous…when it profits him in some way.
Could the library be more beautiful? Of course it could be, but it’s pretty nice as is, and if there aren’t enough meeting rooms there, people can walk a few feet to one of the buildings that already has the Arrillaga brand on it.
This “gift” is what I used to hear called a white elephant: an attractive item whose costs far outweigh the benefits. The council should be too smart to fall for this boondoggle.
I stand with others who seek to build a more compassionate community.
While it can feel good to vent anonymously on The Almanac Town Square, please consider sending an email to City Council expressing your concerns. Unless there is a large wave of formal dissent from residents of all walks of life in Menlo Park, it’s likely this will move forward.
Send emails to city.council@menlopark.org.
I agree with a lot of concerns about spending a of money on something that really isn’t needed and I don’t think we need many of the other features of a library (such as a teen center and adult classes) because we already have a new community center just a few feet away. There is even space in the library for events downstairs.
But I am also concerned about tearing that beautiful building down. There is some architecture there with the seamless connections between the indoor space and the adjacent gardens. High ceilings, great acoustics, and overall well-designed space. Some finishings aren’t all the best (am I remembering acoustic tile ceilings?) but the space itself is very nice. I’m sure Menlo Park would build something big and grand but the existing building has its own charms.
I have posted before on this topic. Don’t know where that post is. Anyway, I am a frequent user of the Menlo Park Library and am completely satisfied with it. I definitely do not think money should be spent on any extensive renovation or remodeling. Menlo Park has greater needs: affordable housing and public transportation are the major ones, in my opinion.
YES TO Libraries:
Menlo Park has been presented with a tremendous opportunity to create two 21st century libraries, a new main library in the Civic Center and a branch library in the Belle Haven community. Not just repositories of books, today’s libraries are vibrant community resource centers.
However, the Main Library is woefully outdated. Small and crowded, it lacks adequate meeting spaces for a community of our size.. The Belle Haven branch is housed in a portion of a local school and is completely inadequate for the neighborhood.
Six years ago, the Menlo Park Library Foundation (MPLF) surveyed neighboring Bay Area communities and found that they had already built—or were in the midst of building—new libraries designed to meet the needs of a digital 21st century. The Foundation then initiated a space needs study conducted by Noll and Tam, one of the foremost library architectural firms in the country. The study was funded by a $90K grant from MPLF and $50K from the City. The multi-year study included input from library staff, volunteers, and community members over many meetings.
Study findings made it clear that building a new main library was more cost-effective than remodeling the old one. The new library would have the same book- and media-lending services as a traditional library, and it would function as a community gathering spot with large and small meeting rooms, facilities for project collaboration, spaces for children and teens, and areas to provide services for job seekers, reading and language learners, seniors, retirees, and other community members.
With plans in motion, real estate developer and philanthropist John Arrillaga, has offered to help. If the City will fund $20 million, plus soft costs, he will pay the rest – whatever that might cost. His firm would build the library, as it built the Gymnasium, Gymnastic Center and Recreation Center. This gift would dramatically jump-start the new main library. The Council has voted to accept his offer and to ask the public’s support for a bond issue.
The City also has designated funds to conduct a library needs assessment for the Belle Haven neighborhood. This week, the Council will vote on important next steps. These include establishing a Belle Haven advisory committee, approving $140,000 in appropriations for immediate improvements to the existing Belle Haven branch library, and increasing public outreach.
We urge the Council to approve the next steps for library system improvements. A “YES” vote means the process can continue towards its goal of building two new libraries. A “NO” vote means the projects will stall and our donor might withdraw. That would be a shame for the Menlo Park community. With several years of effort already devoted to creating new libraries, it makes no sense to stop progress. We’re focused and have momentum—please urge the Council to vote YES on the next proposed steps.
Monica Corman, President
Menlo Park Library Foundation
Current efforts are minor only and seem made only due to public pressure. The residents of Belle Haven were also not asked their priorities for how to spend the 140,000. Instead, the library decided for them. The new RFP also did not include community and commissioner input and I suspect that it will only lead to a recommendation to continue the status quo, which the 2010 RFP report did. We also don’t need expensive studies to know how to make improvements to the branch. The city and library’s neglect of the branch has eroded trust. Once trust is lost, it’s very hard to regain and the city and library will have to work much harder if they hope to win over those now wary of their sincere intentions in Belle Haven. Based on what I have seen and heard, I am a skeptic.
He’s not giving 30m he’s buying a 50m library for 30m. A bargain.
I suspect libraries will be used less and less as time goes by. Tech is so convenient with everyone in the house on their laptops, wether working or doing school work, why would you get in your soon to be antiquated car to drive through horrendous traffic to read or check out a book.
As for dvd’s has anyone heard of on demand, live streaming, or 500 channels of cable, I haven’t watched a dvd in 5 years and that’s not about to change.
I believe in the next 10 years libraries as we know them will be all but extinct.
Please Think ahead, that 50 million dollars could be used for so many other city improvements.
My prior comments on this topic are found here:
https://www.almanacnews.com/blogs/p/2017/08/11/why-a-library-scrap-and-rebuild
I know a fair amount amount about libraries, and technical / usage trends.
This is unwarranted (Other than in Belle Haven)
Not discussed this far, though, in terms of a Belle Haven branch, are unique staffing needs in terms of multiple languages and collection development.