September 1, 2006

A bittersweet farewell

Willow Glen Branch Library celebrates its past on closing day

Prepares for new facility

Aug. 12 marked a milestone for the Willow Glen community as the much-loved and popular library closed its doors for the last time to make way for an enlarged 13,000-square-foot facility. But the daylong party with balloons, treats and speeches were bittersweet as the young and old timers remembered growing up around the 57-year-old building.

Children, parents and grandparents all watch as animals are made out of balloons. Above, in foreground, Nathan Peter Leavold, 2, who lives in Willow Glen, waits for his balloon with his grandmother Maria Surko, who originally came from Croatia. Photo by Carol Rosen

The Willow Glen Library began its history as an independent community library in 1930, becoming a branch of the San Jose Public Library in 1937 and later opening at its current location in 1949. Today the library serves a burgeoning population in cramped space it has long since outgrown.

Its long history of public service has established a special place for the branch in the hearts and minds of generations of local residents. Kids who attended story time in the library’s early days still return with their children and/or grandchildren.

District 6 Councilmember Ken Yeager, a former Friends of the Library president in the Rose Garden neighborhood, has a special appreciation for the significance of this milestone.

“I am so excited about the new Willow Glen Library. After opening the new Rose Garden Library a few months ago, I am confident that Willow Glen residents will love their new branch just as much as Rose Garden residents are enjoying theirs.”

The new library will bear the hallmarks of all new branch construction including an Internet café, community living room with a fireplace, technology lab, group and quiet study areas and a community room that will accommodate 59 people, as well as significantly more space for seating, collections and computers. Current planning calls for preservation of the landmark oak tree and community art tiles in the patio area at the back of the existing library. The new Willow Glen Branch Library is funded by the library bond measure approved by voters in November 2000. It is expected to open in 2008.

Janet Burchinal, center, waits in line for popcorn with her daughters Christine, left, 5, a kindergartner at Booksin and Lauren, 6, a first grader at St. Christophers.

Puppet shows, chamber music, balloon animals and light refreshments sponsored by the Friends of the Willow Glen Library enhanced the library's closing day. Residents, along with library staff past and present, contributed their recollections to the library's memory book.

Demolition of the existing 5,330-square-foot structure will follow in October on a date still to be determined. During construction of the new library, Willow Glen residents will find the following alternate locations to be most convenient:

- Biblioteca Latinoamericana, 921 S. First St., (408) 294-1237

- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 150 E. San Fernando St., (408) 808-2000

- Rose Garden, 1580 Naglee Ave., (408) 808-3070

- Tully Community, 880 Tully Road, (408) 808-3030

- Cambrian Branch Library (1780 Hillsdale Ave.) will provide yet another option when it opens this fall. Willow Glen residents are welcome at all San Jose Public Library locations. Visit SJLibrary.org to obtain information about locations and hours.

To stay in touch with the latest news and developments concerning library branch bond projects, visit www.NewSanJoseLibraries.com.