Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Library Facilities Measure B topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Marin County outlines $25M multi‑year library improvements funded by Measure B
Summary
County staff and the Department of Public Works previewed a phased, five‑year plan for facility and accessibility upgrades at all 10 Marin County Free Library branches, funded in part by voter-approved Measure B. Work begins with branch 'refreshes' this fall and includes larger capital projects for Novato, Civic Center, Fairfax and Corte Madera.
County library officials and Public Works staff on Tuesday presented a multi‑year facilities plan for the Marin County Free Library that would use Measure B funds to refresh or renovate all 10 branches and make targeted capital improvements at four sites.
Library Director Lana Edlawin and her team described a three‑phase approach: a “refresh” that will update furniture, carpets, shelving and customer spaces at all branches; “life‑safety” improvements to address accessibility, seismic bracing and other urgent work at three locations; and larger capital projects at four branches featuring infrastructure upgrades, community‑room expansion and outdoor reading gardens. Public Works staff said the entire program will be phased from fall 2025 through 2029 with an estimated capital investment of roughly $25 million for the largest projects.
Staff said Measure B — a partial property tax measure passed by Marin voters in November 2022 — is the principal funding source for the improvements. The board was briefed on plans for the Novato branch to receive building‑envelope improvements, an enlarged community room, a children’s garden and updated mechanical systems. Civic Center improvements include expansion of the A.T. Kent California Room and children's areas; Fairfax, Corte Madera and other branches would receive both accessibility and building envelope upgrades in later phases.
Officials described an outreach and design process that included 5,000 public comments, branch‑specific design palettes and a commitment to minimize service disruption: county staff proposed staggered 3–5 week temporary closures for each branch when they receive refresh work and said holds and checkouts will be extended and staff redeployed to nearby branches during closures.
The presentation was informational and no vote was required. Several supervisors praised the plan and asked staff to pursue grant funding and to coordinate with cities and towns to leverage additional investments. Friends of the Library and other nonprofit partners endorsed the program during public comment.
Ending — The board received the presentation and asked staff to return with project schedules and funding details during upcoming budget and capital project hearings.
