San Francisco library commissioners took a critical first look January 2 at a $5.3-million plan to begin user-friendly improvements to the city’s four-year-old main library. They criticized the proposal—part of an overhaul with a price tag that could reach $28 million—for not clarifying whether underground space in the city-owned Brooks Hall would be used for extra shelving. Acting City Librarian Susan Hildreth acknowledged in the January 3 San Francisco Chronicle that the hall had not been secured.
Adding shelf space is just one of the remedies called for in a $240,000 city-commissioned study identifying more than 150 problem areas in the $137.5-million building. Library spokeswoman Marcia Schneider said the first-phase proposal drew from the recommendations of the 1999 study, including solutions library staff consider to be critical. The initial plan had $1.8 million earmarked to consolidate checkout and return desks and $1.9 million for expanded space in the high-traffic “First Stop” area. The balance would improve confusing signs and first-floor restrooms, plus revamp the second-floor plan for easier access to the children’s department.
In addition, one San Francisco city supervisor is stalling the plan. Leland Yee wants a Finance Committee hearing set in order to safeguard funds now targeted for improvements at branch libraries.
Posted January 8, 2001.