It’s been a very exciting time around the Library. Of course, one of the biggest pieces of good news is concerning the progress on the new Central Library. It is now 72% complete and is scheduled to open next summer in July. Last Friday, October 5, there was a “Topping Off” ceremony for the amazing iconic dome that has forever changed San Diego’s skyline. You can watch the video of the ceremony and see the webcam to view the construction in real time.
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| The New Central Library’s iconic dome with the trolley in the foreground |
At 143 ft high the new Central Library’s dome is larger than the dome on the U.S. Capitol. This 80,000 pound structure with 8 separate sails and sunshades is a one-of-a-kind engineering marvel. I am so impressed with the engineers, Turner Construction crew, and the architects, Rob Quigley and Tucker Sadler, for the creativity and professional expertise it took to envision and build this dome.
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Steel workers tightening a sail
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At the ceremony architect Rob Quigley described the symbolism behind the dome and its significance to our community, “This dome stands as an icon, a symbol of the City’s commitment to literacy and learning. And like the human spirits nurtured within, the dome is designed to be in the perpetual act of becoming. It doesn’t look finished and it never will. It will always be becoming. It is intended to stand as a paradox – grand yet accessible, familiar yet unique, comforting yet provocative. It is permanent yet kinetic and ever changing to the sun and the sky and the clouds.” I couldn’t have said it better!
Another piece of good news that we will be adding more hours at our libraries beginning the weekend of November 3-4! Starting on November 3, 2012 the Central Library will resume Saturday hours (9:30 to 2:30). Starting November 4, 2012 we will have Sunday hours at 4 additional branch libraries from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. including Logan Heights, Mira Mesa, Rancho Bernardo and Valencia Park/Malcolm X branch libraries. This is in addition to the branches that are currently open on Sunday including City Heights/Weingart, La Jolla/Riford, Point Loma/Hervey and Serra Mesa-Kearny Mesa. (See the new schedule.) Additional hours at branch libraries on Monday are planned before the end of the year and we will make the announcement about those hours as soon as we can.
It is a crazy busy time as we continue to hire new people to staff the additional hours and prepare to move to the new Central Library. But, it is also very gratifying to know that very soon the community will experience the results of all the hard work and dedication of Mayor Jerry Sanders, the City Council, our donors, and Library staff to help us better meet the needs of our community.
