Lafayette Library and Learning Center

The Lafayette Library and Learning Center (LLLC) is a library and learning center in Lafayette, California that opened in 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-20429435_ITM |title=Article: California to build a revolutionary library: cultural institutions join... | AccessMyLibrary – Promoting library advocacy |publisher=AccessMyLibrary |date=2004-02-01 |accessdate=2010-03-16}} The Lafayette Library and Learning Center is also home to the Glenn Seaborg Learning Consortium, a partnership with the region’s leading arts, culture, and educational institutions. The Center includes classrooms which host programs from local learning institutions.{{cite web|url=http://www.libraryjournal.com/index.asp?layout=articlePrint&articleid=CA375445 |title=Library Journal Print Page |publisher=Libraryjournal.com |date=2004-01-21 |accessdate=2010-03-16}} It is a part of the Contra Costa County Library system.

The Glenn Seaborg Learning Consortium, named after chemist Glenn Seaborg, aims to provide materials, archives, workshops, exhibits, K-12 curricula, lectures, films, and discovery centers from many local institutions such as the UC System, Lawrence Hall of Science, Oakland Museum of California, Chabot Space and Science Center, Commonwealth Club of California, Oakland Zoo in Knowland Park, John Muir Health, Lindsay Wildlife Museum, California Shakespeare Theater, Greenbelt Alliance, John F. Kennedy University, St. Mary’s College, and the UC Institute of Governmental Studies.

The mission statement says that the center aims to be a cultural and learning center throughout the community, expanding upon the usual role of a library.{{cite web|url=http://www.ifla.org/files/public-libraries/publications/prof-report-108/108-en.pdf |title=Microsoft Word - Profrep108.doc |format=PDF |accessdate=2010-03-16}}

History

The Lafayette Library and Learning Center was first proposed to the City of Lafayette at the end of 2003. The city voted to support the Library in January 2004.{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/01/14/BAGHK49F3G1.DTL&type=printable |title=Lafayette approves pioneering library / Bay Area programs sponsor suburb's new learning center |publisher=Sfgate.com |date=2004-01-14 |accessdate=2010-03-16 | first=Erin | last=Hallissy}} In 2004 the membership of the Glenn Seaborg Learning Consortium was finalized and funding was pursued. In November 2004 the project was awarded $11.9M by the State of California.{{cite news|url=http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/11/30/BAGMJA3KUO28.DTL&type=printable |title=SACRAMENTO / 5 Bay Area libraries to get grants / State doles out last $77 million from bond measure |publisher=Sfgate.com |date=2004-11-30 |accessdate=2010-03-16 | first=Leslie | last=Fulbright}}{{cite web|url=http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA485361.html?display=breakingNews |title=California PL Construction Awards Go to 12 of 72 Applicants – 12/6/2004 |publisher=Library Journal |date=2004-12-06 |accessdate=2010-03-16}} In 2004–2005 City officials brokered a deal with the local veterans to build a new Veterans Memorial Building at the west end of Lafayette and to take over the former Veterans Memorial Building in the downtown area for use by the new Library. The new Veterans Memorial Building was completed late in 2005. Meanwhile, community donations were raised which matched the State grant of $11.9M.{{cite press release |url=http://www.lafayettelib.org/pdf/press%20release.1.25.06.pdf |title=New Lafayette Library and Learning Center Achieves Capital Campaign Goal |publisher=Lafayette Library and Learning Center |accessdate=2010-03-16 |first=Gwenn |last=Lennox |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312170721/http://www.lafayettelib.org/pdf/press%20release.1.25.06.pdf |archive-date=2012-03-12 |url-status=dead }} Construction bids were gathered and the ground breaking for the new Library occurred on April 20, 2007.{{cite press release |url=http://www.lafayettelib.org/pdf/librarycampaigngroundbreakingpressrelease.pdf |title=Lafayette Library and Learning Center Breaks Ground for New Home |publisher=Lafayette Library and Learning Center |date=2007-04-11 |accessdate=2010-03-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312170731/http://www.lafayettelib.org/pdf/librarycampaigngroundbreakingpressrelease.pdf |archive-date=2012-03-12 |url-status=dead }} During this period Seaborg Consortium programming began using the existing library space and the new Lafayette Veterans Memorial Building.

On November 14, 2009,{{cite news |url=https://www.sfgate.com/opinion/article/Library-success-story-in-Lafayette-3211232.php |title=Library success story in Lafayette |last1=Grodin |first1=Anne |last2=Tatzin |first2=Don |date=8 November 2009 |publisher=San Francisco Chronicle |access-date=July 6, 2022}} the doors of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center opened for the first time. Since that day in November, the LLLC has hosted over 400 programs annually. Topics ranged from Story Times, to the life of a bug, to the historic 2008 Presidential campaign as related by New York Times bestselling author Mark Halperin.

Nearly 1,500 visitors pass through the front doors of the Library every day – a 300% increase from daily attendance at the old library.{{cite web |url=http://www.lafayettelib.org/pdf/Annual_Report_9-20-10.pdf |title=2010 Annual Report - Annual_Report_9-20-10.pdf |format=PDF |accessdate=2011-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312170709/http://www.lafayettelib.org/pdf/Annual_Report_9-20-10.pdf |archive-date=2012-03-12 |url-status=dead }}

References

External links

[http://www.lllcf.org/ Lafayette Library and Learning Center]
[https://www.lllcf.org/friends-book-store Friends of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center]
[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/04/16/BAG0PC9U641.DTL&type=printable Building Blocks for a New Library, San Francisco Chronicle]

Category:Library buildings completed in 2009

Category:Public libraries in California

Category:Lafayette, California

Category:Museums established in 2009

Category:Buildings and structures in Contra Costa County, California

Category:Education in Contra Costa County, California

Category:2009 establishments in California