:: The Right Library for Riverside

Summary of Library Expansion Plans

The City of Riverside is planning to design and build an expanded Main Library building in Downtown Riverside. Recently, a task force was appointed by the City Council to study the expansion needs of the downtown library and the Metropolitan Museum. A series of meetings are being held in the City Council chambers for the task force to discuss their findings. The public is welcome to attend.

In April 2007, the city manager's office recommended a $25 million project that would expand the library and the nearby museum through an addition to the library; however some community members felt the combined library/museum expansion did not provide adequate additional space to either the library or museum.

The library board in January approved its own plan, recommending that the Main Library be expanded from 61,420 square feet of space today to 123,900 square feet to meet demands through 2025.

On March 18, 2008, the city council appointed the task force to study the needs of both facilities and within 90 days come up with recommendations for expanding both.

Task Force Schedule (public welcome)

Friday, April 11, 3-7 pm
Stakeholder group submissions. Presentation by facilitator Jeff Scherer on challenges facing libraries in the future.

Wednesday, April 23, 3-7 pm
Task Force deliberates

Monday, May 19, 3-7 pm
Task Force deliberates

Friday, June 6, 3-5 pm
Draft report and recommendations
Task Force deliberates

Saturday June 7, 10 am to noon
Final report

Library Expansion Project Documents

Riverside Public Library Conceptual Building Program (PDF)
William W. Sannwald, Centre for Library Design and Development
March 2006

Conceptual Building Program Presentation (PowerPoint)
by William W. Sannwald
Riverside Public Library, Board of Library Directors Meeting
March 28, 2006

Summary Memo (draft), Riverside Public Library, Central Library Building (PDF)
AnnBeha Architects
September 20, 2002

Riverside Main Library & Museum Expansion (PDF)
Pfeiffer Partners Architects
March 1, 2007

Expansion of the City of Riverside Museum and Library Facility Project (PDF)
Pfeiffer Partners Architects
January 16, 2008

A Plan for the Right Main Library for the Heart of Riverside: The Core of a City-wide System of Service (PDF)
Approved by the Board of Library Trustees January 28, 2008

The Main Library is the cultural heart... (PDF)

Making Cities Stronger: Public Library Contributions to Local Economic Development (PDF)
Urban Libraries Council
January 2007