PITTSBURG -- The library has turned a new chapter in its nearly half-century life, thanks to a remodeling and expansion project that has given the building a fresh look and additional space.
1.  Library clerk Tahmeka Ramirez can see those changes reflected in the faces of library patrons who are coming through the doors since the transformation was completed a few weeks ago to the building that first opened its doors in 1966.
2.  "It's beautiful. I was born and raised here so I'm used to the old look of the library. It was kind of outdated. Everything was pretty much the same, from the circulation desk, to the carpet, to the way the books were set up," Ramirez said. "It seems really bright in here, now that they've painted the walls and added a lot more light in here. I see it in the faces of the patrons when they walk in here."
3.  The library will hold a grand reopening and ribbon-cutting event this Saturday [7/27/13] at 11 a.m. A $3 million redevelopment project paid for the expansion, addition and improvements at the Pittsburg branch of the Contra Costa County Library, which is celebrating it 100 birthday this year.
4.  "It's hard to get excited about the library and reading when you come to a place that's not exciting. It looks nice and bright now," said Chris Brown, acting community library manager for the Pittsburg branch.
5.  Michelle Miller is among the patrons who are already appreciating the changes. The Pittsburg resident visits the library regularly with her two children, 5-year-old Jenna and 9-year-old Joaquin.
"I like it. I think it's a lot more spacious and open," Miller said as Jenna carefully spread out several brightly-colored children's books on a counter for Ramirez to check out.
6.  The changes include a larger library and remodeling work that includes new paint and carpeting, new computers, improved lighting, an improved electronic checkout and return area, an improved teen area and space for the Friends of the Pittsburg Library. The improved electronic checkout area frees up librarians to spend more time helping patrons and taking care of other library tasks, Brown said.
7.  There is also the addition of a community room that local groups can use for meetings.
"The idea is to allow all the groups to have a place to have meetings and gather," Brown said.
8.  A cafe that is part of the library space will open in the fall. The cafe will also have a separate entrance from the library to provide a place for people who have business in the nearby city hall and courthouse with a place to take a break.
Contact Eve Mitchell at 925-779-7189. Follow her on Twitter.com/EastCounty_Girl.  
[THANKS, EVE!!  I'm constantly amazed at (and greatly aided by) how well you capture all the details and craft such excellent Contra Costa Times articles for our community -- and beyond -- without fail -- guess this is why you make the big bucks -- and justly so!]
The New Pittsburg Library
80 Power Ave.
925-427-8390

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II.  PCJ AFTER-ACTION REPORT - 7/27/13/SAT
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1.  Saturday's opening was a fine event (no surprise about that!). The library looks so good and is so much better than before -- bigger, newer, updated, even better equipped -- with still more improvements to follow.  Great surprises hit you from the minute you enter and carry throughout.  And the public excitement was palpable among the young and not so young! And, the Pittsburg weather was especially glorious -- perfect for the occasion.

2.  In the well thought-out children's section, it was a joy to watch the little ones gain their first exposures to this priceless public resource (little eyes, bright and wide open). The spacious room was standing-room-only -- filled with kids and parents captivated by a magic show and more things designed to inspire and help equip our brand-new little fellow humans for their life-long pursuit of knowledge and wholesome pleasure. ["A rising tide lifts all boats" -- the great human chain-reaction continues, beautifully!]

3.  Among the leading citizens present during the ribbon-cutting ceremony were County Supervisor Glover, Mayor Parent, Councilmembers Johnson and Evola, City Manager Sbranti, County Librarian Barbara Flynn, County Library Commissioner Enholm, other City and County employees -- and lots of citizen-volunteers, and an appreciative public -- and others I'm sure I've missed mentioning (so sorry, just didn't see them in the crowd).  The speeches were uplifting and filled with good information, good humor, and new insights (time well-spent). 

Chris Brown, acting community library manager for the Pittsburg branch, was repeatedly and deservedly praised for his fine care of one of our "crown jewels."

4.  MAYOR NANCY PARENT URGED US COUNTY RESIDENTS to visit the County Library System's website and answer the survey there. (You can get there by clicking the link at the bottom of this neat article in the San Jose Mercury News).  She strongly hinted (with a wink toward Supervisor Glover) that a good suggestion for us all to make, is to recommend that the County find the funds to increase operating hours -- now that the economy is (thankfully) on the upswing.  The City, itself, has committed a huge investment and continues to do so.

  • Here's a direct link to the survey (click)  
  • Another thought:  Open every day would be a blessing.  Kids/parents would benefit after school -- others after work -- and fewer false trips there due to awkward schedules
  • [And don't forget this summer's series of Library Town Hall Meetings]

5.  Dedicated Volunteers with "The Friends of the Pittsburg Library," headed by Jackie Hurtado, were justifiably proud of this great advance, to which they have been contributing so much over the years -- an endless and fruitful struggle to serve us.  The "Pittsburg Community Women's League," was also well represented, wearing their club's pink-shirts -- another force for good throughout our surroundings (and has been so for 50 years, this year!).

Jackie also invited us to replace our old library cards with the brand new, appropriately "GOLDEN" ones.  You'll keep the old numbers.

6.  MORE VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED (ALWAYS) to do the fun, hard, self-satisfying, and very important work that frees and empowers the library staff to do so much more and makes the place even more pleasing and practical -- and on all the other needful things throughout the territory that only volunteers can do so economically and so well.  [We truly do matter!]  


Besides, volunteerism helps build up terrific knowledge, work skills, work history, reputation, contacts, and superb references for better paying jobs -- which raises the social power for great good, even further. (a gift that keeps giving, often in unexpected ways)

7.  City Manager Sbranti told me that the thinking and hard work has been underway for many years.  Money had to be found and set aside; numerous problems solved; countless design decisions made; and much else, of course.  Among all the other things, the new cafe (which he insisted upon) will be a welcome convenience for visitors and for the government employees around the City Center. [The foresight, hard work, and typically superb results are much to be admired]

David Nelson


A wonderful turnout! 

Lots of our folks love their books, and the people who steward the Human Knowledge Base (HKB) for us, and the wonderful places and things we build-up to serve this common good.