Steel is in the Ground!

Just days after the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Central Library, Turner Construction started the project. We are talking tractors and other earthmoving equipment everywhere, a new trailer on site, and now there’s steel in the ground! Way to go, Turner Construction!

Excuse my enthusiasm but I can’t imagine a faster response to getting a project moving forward. For library users, staff and Turner Construction, the architects and engineers, opening day in August 2013 cannot arrive fast enough. So, when people ask, ”When will the construction project begin?” We just smile and say, “Please, go look at the site. You will be amazed, the project has begun!”

The groundbreaking ceremony was held on July 28, 2010, and it was fabulous. The Mayor’s Office, the Library Foundation and library staff pulled together an awesome ceremony, which was enjoyed by donors, library supporters and community members. There were approximately 800 in attendance, standing room only.

Mayor Sanders opened the ceremony with eloquent and heartfelt congratulations and offered thanks to the many people who worked tirelessly to see that this major asset for the City of San Diego would move forward. Among those mentioned were major donors, Joan and Dr. Irwin Jacobs; Judith C. Harris and Mel Katz, immediate past Chair and current Chair, respectively, of the San Diego Public Library Foundation; Jim Dawe, Founding Chair; San Diego Unified School District; the Friends of the San Diego Public Library; and Chair of the Library Commission, Katie Sullivan, along with her husband Dan Sullivan of Qualcomm. To see a list of donors and donation opportunities, as well as to see other information about the project please go to the San Diego Public Library Foundation’s website at: http://www.supportmylibrary.org/.

There were so many poignant moments at the ceremony, too numerous for me to describe here. I was especially moved by the participation of our future leaders. Girl Scout Troop # 5912, which was responsible for the presentation of the Colors, and the San Diego Children’s Choir sang. No doubt these young people will always remember their role in the beginnings of the new Central Library.

Another personal favorite for me was a celebratory moment at the groundbreaking with two people whom I admire and respect and who were very important to successfully moving the new Central Library project forward: former library director Anna Tatár, and California State Librarian Stacey Aldrich. I was planning to title our photo, the “Vamping Librarians” because of our poses, but thought better of it. :) It was a special time for us. We felt wonderful and had a lot of fun that day.