Grand Opening Of New Half Moon Bay Library Set For August 18

From The City of HMB: After two years of construction, and many more years of diligent planning and development, the new Half Moon Bay Library is nearly ready to open its doors and offer a new world of transformative experiences through learning, making and exploration.

New Half Moon Bay Library Grand Opening
Saturday, August 18, 2018 - Ceremony at 10 am
620 Correas Street, Half Moon Bay

Note: Parking near the library on the day of the event will be very limited. Attendees are encouraged to walk, bicycle, or carpool to the event and, if driving, to park downtown and avoid parking on residential streets.

The community is invited to join together with members of the Half Moon Bay City Council and San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, San Mateo County Libraries staff, special guests, library supporters, friends, and neighbors for this festive grand opening event. After hearing from several of the library champions who were instrumental in bringing this facility to the community, the new coastside library will officially open with a special ribbon cutting ceremony. Then, everyone is invited to explore the new building, see all the wonderful amenities, and participate in featured programming throughout the day. The new library has been built through a partnership between the City of Half Moon Bay, San Mateo County Libraries, and the County of San Mateo, with assistance from the Friends of the Half Moon Bay Library, and the support of the community.

"The new Half Moon Bay Library is something the entire coastside has been looking forward to for years," said Half Moon Bay Mayor Deborah Penrose. "With its many new, up-to-date amenities and wonderful spaces, the new library is a place for community members to join together, share new experiences, and expand their horizons."

The total cost of bringing this coastside gem to its new home is approximately $25 million. Approximately 50% of the project is funded by the City of Half Moon Bay, with the other 50% coming from the County, including $500,000 in funds from Measure K, a half-cent countywide sales tax approved by local voters to support essential County services and to maintain or replace critical facilities. Additional funds came from the San Mateo County Libraries, Friends of the Half Moon Bay Library, and other donors.

"The new Half Moon Bay Library will be a wonderful addition to the City of Half Moon Bay as well as to the overall San Mateo County Libraries system. This project is a great example of collaboration and cooperation between the city and county governments to address a common need for an upgrade in library services," said San Mateo County Supervisor Don Horsley. "I am confident this world-class facility will add to the quality and livability of Half Moon Bay and the coastside, providing expanded library services within a strikingly modern, efficient and gorgeous building. I congratulate all who worked so hard to realize this magnificent vision."

Answering the Coastside community's desire to have a library with a soul, the brand new two-story, 22,000 square foot Half Moon Bay Library is designed to be the center of the community and a place for people of all ages to feel at home with access to resources and information. The design of the building celebrates the small town feel of Half Moon Bay, reflecting the beach and agricultural roots-simultaneously, using materials that will hold up to the coastal environment. The building is built to be cozy, warm and inviting-with a design strategy that ensures it will be light and bright inside for generations to come.

Exciting library features include:

• An expanded collection of materials, from bilingual books and DVDs, to streaming movies and Wi-fi hotspots
• A collaborative makerspace that includes 3D printers, a high-performance laser cutter, GoPro camera kits, and sewing, quilting, and embroidery machines
• Ample access to technology, including 24 desktop computers and 42 laptops
• An expansive children's room with a special children's entry and four interactive play columns that reflect forces in nature in the sky, land, and sea that are the heartbeat of the community
• A quiet reading room that is acoustically separated and designed for reading and individual work
• A dedicated and flexible teen room that has direct access to the makerspace
• Several small study rooms and a large Community Room that accommodates over 100 people
• Indoor/outdoor connections with large windows, and doors to the library courtyard and gardens
• The building is LEED Silver and is projected to be net-zero energy

The August 18 Grand Opening ceremony for the Half Moon Bay Library will open a new chapter in bringing the community together, and the facility will serve the people of Half Moon Bay and the coastside for generations to come. All are invited to be part of this memorable day in celebration of a monumental accomplishment.

Image via Shuttershock