Belvedere-Tiburon Library Expansion

For its tenth birthday, the Library received at $100,000 present from the Belvedere Community Foundation. Feeling like a proud godparent, the Belvedere Community Foundation awarded a grant of $100,000 to the Belvedere-Tiburon Library in support of the Library expansion project. The grant, to be paid over a period of four years, was approved by the Foundation directors at their April meeting and coincided with the 10th birthday of the Library. A supporter of the Library since its inception, the BCF assisted with the fundraising effort when the Library was built and currently helps with the funding for the Open Sundays program. Last year, the Foundation made a $10,000 grant which was used for preliminary planning studies relating to the expansion.

According to Library Director, Debbie Mazzolini, the planning process for the expansion is on track. An initial study was approved in 2004 by the Tiburon Town Council and in March, 2007, a needs assessment and building program were completed and approved by the Belvedere-Tiburon Library Agency. This study is available in the Library and online at http://thelibrary.info. Currently, a community based Architect Selection Committee is reviewing the letters of interest from architectural firms and a Campaign Steering Committee of the Belvedere-Tiburon Library Foundation is structuring the fundraising drive.

Debbie Mazzolini called the Foundation's grant "a statement of support that is both appreciated and inspiring. It will enable the Library to fund the next phases of the process, including the development of a conceptual design." The expansion plans call for:

• a larger children’s room
• a study space and better collection materials for middle and high school students
• a technology training and resource area
• 40% increase in the size of the Library's collection of books and learning materials
• 4 acoustically sound group study rooms
• a larger meeting room for community events
• adequate storage areas and office space for Library operations
• a sorting and sales area for donated books
• a small cafe

The Belvedere Community Foundation thanks the many local residents who have made donations to the BCF Endowment Fund which serves as a financial resource for projects of community benefit. In contrast with today's $100,000 grant, the first grant the Foundation made to the Library fifteen years ago was $25,000, to be disbursed over five years. It was made in the early days of the organization on the faith that our Endowment would become a reality. We are grateful to our many supporters whose donations have allowed us, along with the Library, to grow and serve the community.