Across the country libraries have been feted this week as part of National Library Week with the theme of Welcome to the Library. Come early August that will be a phrase oft-repeated when the doors of the new Turlock Library open.
The Focusing on the Future of the Turlock Library | 2020 fundraising committee set a goal of $1 million to ensure the Turlock branch will be a gem when opened. In the end, the committee brought in $1.5 million in community pledges and donations, mostly from naming rights.
“The funds will be used for furnishings and technology upgrades as well as the long-term sustainability of the library,” said Jeani Ferrari, the co-chair of the fundraising committee.
The Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors approved the library project in November 2019, with a budget of $12.7 million. In addition to the adult collection and the expanded children’s area, the new library will have a community room for library programs and public meetings, teen space, quiet reading room and a maker space. An enclosed courtyard will compliment the community room and a smaller enclosed courtyard will be a creative space station for young kids. Friends of the Turlock Public Library will operate a small bookstore.
The project is getting closer to completion, with most of the work now focusing on the interior of the building. It is expected to be done by June and then materials and furnishings will be moved in and all the technology installed. The county is looking at early August as an opening date.
Turlock Library renovated and new room details and sponsors:
Wendy Smith Maker Space
The Maker Space is a place where people can come together to create or invent things, either using traditional crafts or technology. It could include sewing, needlecraft, arts and crafts, 3D printers, robotics, computer graphics and more. Over time, the space will reflect the whims and needs of library users.
Hilmar Cheese Co. Community Room
The Community Room will provide ample space for teen, children and adult programming, as well as lectures and author talks. A remote-controlled ceiling projector will feed images onto a large retractable screen for state-of-the-art presentations. The space features an adjoining enclosed courtyard. Both spaces are available after regular library hours and can be accessed without entering the main library. Additionally, the spacious room has a kitchenette, restrooms and storage area.
Kent and Ginger Johnson Family Quiet Reading Room
The large reading room is awash with natural light and provides multiple seating vignettes for quiet reading. The room features a private space for small group meetings.
Ferrari Family Children’s Library
The spacious library features a Learning Tree where multiple levels step up to the tree, creating an inviting reading area. The large tree anchors a corner of the room. The cheerful color scheme and child-scaled furnishings are a call to kids of all ages to explore and learn.
Manuel and Mary Machado Family Imagination Station
The children’s courtyard is accessed through the Ferrari Family Children’s Library. It is an enclosed courtyard that will provide space for lively and imaginative children’s activities. The floor of the courtyard has outdoor carpeting and the surrounding wall has a fanciful cutout design that allows light to peek through.
McCulla Family Courtyard
The courtyard is an enclosed space that opens off the Hilmar Cheese Co. Community Room. The two spaces are available for day-use as well as special events after regular library hours. The McCulla Family Courtyard, along with the Hilmar Cheese Co. Community Room, will enhance children, teen and adult programs. The stone tile flooring has raised planters that will showcase trees and shrubs as well as provide casual bench seating. The courtyard will have tables and chairs for day-use as well as for special events.
Ahlem-Herrera Family Teen Room
The teens’ private quarter is a large space with casual seating where teens can meet to chat, do homework and create. The space will develop over time and can incorporate television screens, a media hub, group study spaces and movable tables and chairs. The concept might be seen as a teen “Living Room” at the edge of a well-organized resource center.
The Friends Room
The Friends Room will be operated by the Friends of the Turlock Public Library. It will offer a variety of previously loved books. Guests can become FOTPL members, make donations and purchase books. The intimate space will have the appearance of a small bookstore.
