PRESS RELEASE

Today, the City of Long Beach in collaboration with Plenary-Edgemoor Civic Partners hosted a start of steel celebration for the new Main Library. Approximately 150 attendees gathered at the construction site to celebrate the project.

“Fifty highly skilled craftsmen and women are working on this site to bring the new Main Library to life. Soon that number will double,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “We are proud of this new Main Library project for its assets that will enhance learning experience for children but also for the jobs that it creates for our community.”

The new Main Library, expected to be completed in June 2019, will be a state-of-the-art 92,500-square-foot facility and will feature many amenities, including: community spaces, collaborative workrooms, and an expanded Studio makerspace, an enhanced children’s library, separate library areas for teens and adults and plenty of technology. It will be located on the northern end of the revitalized Lincoln Park and will feature glassy façades for the infusion of natural light.

“I am most excited about the new Main Library, the gem of the Civic Center project,” said Councilmember Jeannine Pearce. “It will be a center of knowledge and technology not only for the Downtown community but the entire city.”

The current Main Library, located nearby at 101 Pacific Avenue, was built in 1976 and is a major urban resource library. Main Library’s extensive print, media, and virtual resources provide an in-depth collection for the Long Beach community, from babies to seniors. On an average day, more than 1,150 people walk through the doors of the Main Library.

“I’ve been a part of this process since the City of Long Beach issued the Request for Qualifications in 2013 with the concept to build a new Civic Center as a public private partnership,” said Glenda Williams, Director of Library Services. “That concept is now a reality as evidenced by the incredible work happening on the site. I am extremely happy with the progress that has been made and look forward to our new 21st century Main Library that will provide the technology, resources and services for our community.”

The new Main Library is part of the new Long Beach Civic Center, a $520 million project, to bring a revitalized civic core to downtown to serve residents and businesses, attract visitors and provide safe and efficient city operations. The building will include many sustainable features that will contribute to its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold rating, including a large solar area across the roof that will generate all the Library’s power as well as some of the new City Hall and new Port building consumption.

City Council approved Plenary-Edgemoor Civic Partners to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the new civic center for the next 40 years. The project includes a new City Hall, Port Headquarters, Main Library and revitalized Lincoln Park.

About the Long Beach Public Library
Long Beach Public Library, founded in 1896, serves a diverse urban city of close to half a million people. The Long Beach Public Library system includes Main Library, eleven other unique Neighborhood Libraries and a vibrant online presence. With an emphasis on providing free and equal access to information and continuing education, the Library offers books, media, downloads, databases, Internet access, Family Learning Centers and a variety of events ranging from story times to cultural programs.

For more information about Long Beach Public Library services and events, visit www.lbpl.org. Please “Like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.