Volunteers propose ceremonial "book brigade" as library prepares to move to Rose

Volunteers and board members described plans for a ceremonial "book brigade" to mark the library's move from the Magnolia building to the new Rose facility, and the board discussed timing and logistics.

"Our book brigade, if it goes through, would be much more ceremonial because the movers will be taking care of the bulk," said Susan Faust, a board member who reported on a meeting that proposed the event. Faust said a Rose Lane resident who helped organize the idea had modeled it on large-scale book-moving events and that organizers had already mapped a route and discussed safety, police and fire coordination.

Board members and the library director discussed sequencing: whether the brigade should occur before the official ribbon-cutting, during building handover but before full public opening, or as part of a separate closing event at Magnolia. The director cautioned the construction and move schedule is fluid: contractors are using a design-build approach and deliver furniture as part of that contract, and final handover dates are not yet fixed.

Organizers also proposed complementary activities such as a small farewell for Magnolia (photo galleries or "love letters" online), bookmarks or bookplates using a single logo, and multiple opening events for different audiences. The Friends and the Larkspur Library Foundation were named as likely partners; board members agreed to circulate minutes from the organizing meeting and to alert the board's calendar as dates firm up.

Next steps: two board members will attend the organizing meeting on Oct. 28 and report back; the board asked staff and organizers to coordinate with city public safety and to avoid having a quorum of board members at planning sessions to comply with meeting rules.