Live Oak Annex News and Articles
How a Community Center Became a ‘Library’
Editor’s note: This is an edited and abridged version of the Santa Cruz County Grand Jury report. For the full report, see: https://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Portals/0/County/GrandJury/GJ2022_final/2022-3_MeasureS_Report.pdf
"The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors elected to use Measure S funds to complete a Santa Cruz County Parks project they call the “Live Oak Library Annex.”
"The Annex (currently being constructed) is about one mile from the existing Live Oak Branch Library. The Annex is, in essence, a collection of study and education spaces with publicly available computers and internet that will be managed by County Parks staff.
"Santa Cruz Public Libraries (SCPL) will not have librarians or books for loan at this location.
"This report explores the SCPL’s development of a master plan for the improvement of its 10 library branches, which led to the need for a funding source, Measure S.
"The SCPL’s effort to obtain the cooperation of elected officials in urging their constituents to support Measure S led to a shift away from SCPL’s priorities.
"The result was the County’s unchallenged decision to use library funds to expand a nearby community center.
"The Grand Jury has concluded that the Annex is an expansion of the Live Oak Community Center and not an expansion of the Live Oak Branch Library."
"The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors elected to use Measure S funds to complete a Santa Cruz County Parks project they call the “Live Oak Library Annex.”
"The Annex (currently being constructed) is about one mile from the existing Live Oak Branch Library. The Annex is, in essence, a collection of study and education spaces with publicly available computers and internet that will be managed by County Parks staff.
"Santa Cruz Public Libraries (SCPL) will not have librarians or books for loan at this location.
"This report explores the SCPL’s development of a master plan for the improvement of its 10 library branches, which led to the need for a funding source, Measure S.
"The SCPL’s effort to obtain the cooperation of elected officials in urging their constituents to support Measure S led to a shift away from SCPL’s priorities.
"The result was the County’s unchallenged decision to use library funds to expand a nearby community center.
"The Grand Jury has concluded that the Annex is an expansion of the Live Oak Community Center and not an expansion of the Live Oak Branch Library."
Measure S funds were misused, report shows
Santa Cruz Sentinel | LTE
August 18, 2022
https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2022/08/18/letter-measure-s-funds-were-misused-report-shows/
The County grand jury recently issued their report “How a Community Center Became a Library.”
Some $5 million of Measure S funds, meant to upgrade the 10 libraries that make up the Santa Cruz Public Library system, was funneled into the so-called Live Oak Annex, which is basically an expansion of the community room of the County Simpkins Swim Center complex. Voters never knew they were voting for an “annex” to the Live Oak branch. The responses by the Library Joint Powers Authority and the county Board of Supervisors disagreed with every one of the jury’s findings, basically thumbing their noses at the jury’s thorough investigative work and recommendations.
It is unfortunate that the grand jury has no power to mandate action or accountability.Take a few minutes to read the report and ponder how Measure S has played fast and loose with taxpayer money.
— Judi Grunstra, Santa C
August 18, 2022
https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2022/08/18/letter-measure-s-funds-were-misused-report-shows/
The County grand jury recently issued their report “How a Community Center Became a Library.”
Some $5 million of Measure S funds, meant to upgrade the 10 libraries that make up the Santa Cruz Public Library system, was funneled into the so-called Live Oak Annex, which is basically an expansion of the community room of the County Simpkins Swim Center complex. Voters never knew they were voting for an “annex” to the Live Oak branch. The responses by the Library Joint Powers Authority and the county Board of Supervisors disagreed with every one of the jury’s findings, basically thumbing their noses at the jury’s thorough investigative work and recommendations.
It is unfortunate that the grand jury has no power to mandate action or accountability.Take a few minutes to read the report and ponder how Measure S has played fast and loose with taxpayer money.
— Judi Grunstra, Santa C
Live Oak center not a branch library expansion
Santa Cruz Sentinel | Letters to the Editor
July 17, 2022
Besides the city’s downtown branch, another questionable maneuvering of Measure S funds was initiated by a former county supervisor who lobbied for $5 million for an addition to the county’s Live Oak Community Center. The so-called library annex, a mile away from the Live Oak Library, was not listed in the 2016 ballot measure nor advertised countywide for voters. It just appeared after closed meetings amongst a select few. That $5 million could well have been spent on rooftop solar for all five branches in the unincorporated county.
The library annex will have no books and no librarians.
In its report, “How a Community Center Became a ‘Library,’” the Grand Jury concluded that “the Annex is an expansion of the Live Oak Community Center and not an expansion of the Live Oak Branch Library.”
I commend the Grand Jury’s exhaustive work to shine a light on this matter.
— Jean Brocklebank, Santa Cruz
July 17, 2022
Besides the city’s downtown branch, another questionable maneuvering of Measure S funds was initiated by a former county supervisor who lobbied for $5 million for an addition to the county’s Live Oak Community Center. The so-called library annex, a mile away from the Live Oak Library, was not listed in the 2016 ballot measure nor advertised countywide for voters. It just appeared after closed meetings amongst a select few. That $5 million could well have been spent on rooftop solar for all five branches in the unincorporated county.
The library annex will have no books and no librarians.
In its report, “How a Community Center Became a ‘Library,’” the Grand Jury concluded that “the Annex is an expansion of the Live Oak Community Center and not an expansion of the Live Oak Branch Library.”
I commend the Grand Jury’s exhaustive work to shine a light on this matter.
— Jean Brocklebank, Santa Cruz
Live Oak library ‘annex’ a deceptive addition
Santa Cruz Sentinel | Letter to the Editor
July 18, 2021
The Guest Commentary Thursday regarding Measure S funding is spot on – the measure specifically states 10 libraries. This sleight of hand of calling another library an “annex” is disgraceful. The supervisors who voted for this deception need a refresher course in ethics. The Live Oak library is certainly justified in obtaining its share of upgrade funds — another library close by is not warranted.
If a “computer library” is needed it should be placed downtown where it will attract a large attendance and should be part of the upgrade of the present downtown library, which would remain as a “book library.”
Stephen Kessler is absolutely correct about the garage/library boondoggle. Downtown Santa Cruz needs a “green space” – a park/plaza – and this will become more obvious with all the high-rise development that’s planned. If the city requires more parking it should look into adding two floors onto the downtown garage.
— James Duffy, Santa Cruz
July 18, 2021
The Guest Commentary Thursday regarding Measure S funding is spot on – the measure specifically states 10 libraries. This sleight of hand of calling another library an “annex” is disgraceful. The supervisors who voted for this deception need a refresher course in ethics. The Live Oak library is certainly justified in obtaining its share of upgrade funds — another library close by is not warranted.
If a “computer library” is needed it should be placed downtown where it will attract a large attendance and should be part of the upgrade of the present downtown library, which would remain as a “book library.”
Stephen Kessler is absolutely correct about the garage/library boondoggle. Downtown Santa Cruz needs a “green space” – a park/plaza – and this will become more obvious with all the high-rise development that’s planned. If the city requires more parking it should look into adding two floors onto the downtown garage.
— James Duffy, Santa Cruz
Sleight of hand on Live Oak Library ‘Annex’
Santa Cruz Sentinel | Guest Editorial
July 15, 2021
By Judi Grunstra and Jean Brocklebank
https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2021/07/15/guest-commentary-santa-cruz-county-acting-deceptively-on-live-oak-library-annex/
When is a library not a library?
When it masquerades as one in order to use $6 million meant to upgrade, renew and repair 10 libraries in our countywide library system. Measure S funds will be now be used to build an addition to the Simpkins Swim Center, a Santa Cruz County Parks property, calling it an “annex” while in fact creating an 11th branch that will have to be maintained in perpetuity.
The Live Oak Library Annex within the walls of the Simpkins Center will have no bookshelves and no books. It will have computers only and no other reading materials, audiobooks, or DVDs to check out. Library staff will be present only when there are scheduled programs. At other times, we are assured that county employees will staff the facility. Yet it is traditionally librarians who are trained to assist patrons with questions as well as monitor social behavior.
There is certainly nothing wrong with the county wanting to renovate and spruce up the Simpkins Center Community Room or even build a child care center within its walls. But this should come solely from the County Parks budget, not Measure S funds.
The County Planning Commission was asked to approve this project at their meeting Wednesday. The staff report notes that the lobby and interior will be remodeled, and there will be a new entrance to the Simpkins Swim Center, driveway modifications and landscape improvements.
Measure S funds will be for the 1691-square-foot addition and its furnishings. To be fair, it is County Parks budget funds, not Measure S funds, that will be used to do most, but not all, of the interior remodeling of the existing Simpkins Swim Center. But 75% of the extensive exterior landscaping and concrete patio work is proposed to be built with Measure S funds, with only 25% of the cost from the County Parks budget.
Is this sleight of hand — creating a library annex — what voters envisioned when they voted for upgrades to county libraries?
The existing Live Oak branch, a mere mile away, could have used the $6 million for roof-top solar, especially since its utility bills are quite high. A lost opportunity to design and build outdoor patio tables with shade umbrellas, suggested by residents, could have been planned and built a prescient idea to accommodate post-COVID-19 distancing.
Instead, the existing Live Oak branch is getting a pittance for an aesthetic upgrade to its children’s area. And the handrail that has been in disrepair for more than 10 years may continue to advertise poor decisions on how to use Measure S funds to do what voters expected to be done – that is, fix what we already have instead of building additional infrastructure that will likely also go wanting for proper maintenance in the future.
This is what happens when there is no Citizen Oversight Committee for bond measures.
The Santa Cruz Library website repeatedly refers to a library system consisting of 10 branches. If this annex is not a branch, it should not be receiving Measure S money. There was nothing in the Measure S ballot language referring to the addition of an annex. As with the downtown library/ garage bait and switch, the current Live Oak Annex scheme was hatched in 2016 without voters countywide knowing about it.
In our opinion, the Board of Supervisors should not have approved the project. Certainly the Library Joint Powers Authority should have more carefully evaluated this deceptive, albeit well-intentioned, project in light of present and future needs of the 10 existing branches.
As of Wednesday, the Planning Commission gave the go ahead to proceed with this dubious project. We remain in opposition, for reasons explained. Measure S funds have been wisely spent on other branches. We wish the same could have occurred with the Live Oak branch.
Judi Grunstra is a librarian and a Santa Cruz resident. Jean Brocklebank is a Live Oak resident.
July 15, 2021
By Judi Grunstra and Jean Brocklebank
https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2021/07/15/guest-commentary-santa-cruz-county-acting-deceptively-on-live-oak-library-annex/
When is a library not a library?
When it masquerades as one in order to use $6 million meant to upgrade, renew and repair 10 libraries in our countywide library system. Measure S funds will be now be used to build an addition to the Simpkins Swim Center, a Santa Cruz County Parks property, calling it an “annex” while in fact creating an 11th branch that will have to be maintained in perpetuity.
The Live Oak Library Annex within the walls of the Simpkins Center will have no bookshelves and no books. It will have computers only and no other reading materials, audiobooks, or DVDs to check out. Library staff will be present only when there are scheduled programs. At other times, we are assured that county employees will staff the facility. Yet it is traditionally librarians who are trained to assist patrons with questions as well as monitor social behavior.
There is certainly nothing wrong with the county wanting to renovate and spruce up the Simpkins Center Community Room or even build a child care center within its walls. But this should come solely from the County Parks budget, not Measure S funds.
The County Planning Commission was asked to approve this project at their meeting Wednesday. The staff report notes that the lobby and interior will be remodeled, and there will be a new entrance to the Simpkins Swim Center, driveway modifications and landscape improvements.
Measure S funds will be for the 1691-square-foot addition and its furnishings. To be fair, it is County Parks budget funds, not Measure S funds, that will be used to do most, but not all, of the interior remodeling of the existing Simpkins Swim Center. But 75% of the extensive exterior landscaping and concrete patio work is proposed to be built with Measure S funds, with only 25% of the cost from the County Parks budget.
Is this sleight of hand — creating a library annex — what voters envisioned when they voted for upgrades to county libraries?
The existing Live Oak branch, a mere mile away, could have used the $6 million for roof-top solar, especially since its utility bills are quite high. A lost opportunity to design and build outdoor patio tables with shade umbrellas, suggested by residents, could have been planned and built a prescient idea to accommodate post-COVID-19 distancing.
Instead, the existing Live Oak branch is getting a pittance for an aesthetic upgrade to its children’s area. And the handrail that has been in disrepair for more than 10 years may continue to advertise poor decisions on how to use Measure S funds to do what voters expected to be done – that is, fix what we already have instead of building additional infrastructure that will likely also go wanting for proper maintenance in the future.
This is what happens when there is no Citizen Oversight Committee for bond measures.
The Santa Cruz Library website repeatedly refers to a library system consisting of 10 branches. If this annex is not a branch, it should not be receiving Measure S money. There was nothing in the Measure S ballot language referring to the addition of an annex. As with the downtown library/ garage bait and switch, the current Live Oak Annex scheme was hatched in 2016 without voters countywide knowing about it.
In our opinion, the Board of Supervisors should not have approved the project. Certainly the Library Joint Powers Authority should have more carefully evaluated this deceptive, albeit well-intentioned, project in light of present and future needs of the 10 existing branches.
As of Wednesday, the Planning Commission gave the go ahead to proceed with this dubious project. We remain in opposition, for reasons explained. Measure S funds have been wisely spent on other branches. We wish the same could have occurred with the Live Oak branch.
Judi Grunstra is a librarian and a Santa Cruz resident. Jean Brocklebank is a Live Oak resident.
Library annex, child care additions to Live Oak center move ahead
Santa Cruz Sentinel
July 15, 2021
By Melissa Hartmann
https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2021/07/14/library-annex-child-care-additions-to-live-oak-center-moves-ahead/
An addition to the Simpkins Swim Center off of 17th Avenue, featuring more than 2,500 square feet of space for library activities and child care, will go to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors for consideration after its summer recess.
The Santa Cruz County Planning Commission on Wednesday morning unanimously approved the library annex plans, first proposed as a community benefit in 2017, with the condition that Noll & Tam Architects and county project planners return to the commission before the construction of the second phase of the building. This condition came from concerns from a few members of the public and most of the commissioners present that the design for the childcare center at the rear of the building may have a negative impact on the adjacent riparian corridor.
“This is more than adding a building to the project. It includes increased intrusion into the riparian buffer zone,” said county resident Michael Lewis, referring to the area of vegetation that serves as a habitat for fish and wildlife. “I’m really concerned that this part of phase two be addressed now and not be a ministerial decision — a decision taken without public input.”
Noll & Tam Architects representative Leah Marthinsen reassured attendees that planners were looking to be as mindful of the whole area as possible, including only using just enough lighting features to keep the area safe. County Parks Director Jeff Gaffney said his team has been involved in the project design and has sought to protect, not invade, the riparian region specifically.
“We want to embrace it,” he said, later referencing recent fires and homeless occupation in the corridor that had likely caused some damage. “It is not necessarily outlined exactly what we are going to do, but we want to improve the riparian corridor and protect it and do a better job of that.”
Hearing Gaffney’s comment, Third District alternate Denise Holbert said she didn’t think construction should go ahead on the second phase without a strong sense of public transparency.
“I’m concerned that when we talk about it, they say, ‘We don’t know what we are going to do,’” Holbert said of planners. “The fact that it’s theoretical at this stage concerns me.”
Benefits of the addition
The library annex space would be able to supplement the nearby Live Oak library branch, limited in parking especially by its proximity to East Cliff Drive and a protected marsh. Library Regional Manager Heather Norquist explained that the annex could allow for more child-oriented, creative and sometimes loud activities that would otherwise not fit in at the library branch.
“We have some very popular programs that are very well-attended but so many people come that there’s nowhere for them to park,” Norquist said. “This annex would allow us the opportunity to invite huge numbers. For example, our ‘Toddler Time’ gets up to 70 people attending and that’s a noisy program with a lot of movement and action. It’d be great to offer that at the annex.”
It could also ease transportation for kids and teens that utilize the Boys & Girls Club or attend Shoreline Middle School, as those are both within the area of Simpkins Swim Center, Norquist added. There, they could utilize small conference, group study and tutoring rooms currently planned for the annex, Project Manager Damon Adlao said. The plaza outside is being redesigned to accommodate their programs, too.
“(It would) develop a sense of place for Live Oak, we thought this was an ideal space for that,” Adlao said.
Planner Randall Adams said that the proposed addition and partial remodel of the existing facility would match the architectural style of the swim center building as well as the Boys and Girls Club and the middle school. Marthinsen concurred. The style is just one of many elements built upon feedback from four community meetings conducted in 2018 and 2019.
“I know I shouldn’t say this, but it will be beautiful,” she said.
If the supervisors vote to approve the project, funding from the Measure S library facilities bond passed by voters in 2016 will be used to raise the annex and its related additions.
July 15, 2021
By Melissa Hartmann
https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2021/07/14/library-annex-child-care-additions-to-live-oak-center-moves-ahead/
An addition to the Simpkins Swim Center off of 17th Avenue, featuring more than 2,500 square feet of space for library activities and child care, will go to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors for consideration after its summer recess.
The Santa Cruz County Planning Commission on Wednesday morning unanimously approved the library annex plans, first proposed as a community benefit in 2017, with the condition that Noll & Tam Architects and county project planners return to the commission before the construction of the second phase of the building. This condition came from concerns from a few members of the public and most of the commissioners present that the design for the childcare center at the rear of the building may have a negative impact on the adjacent riparian corridor.
“This is more than adding a building to the project. It includes increased intrusion into the riparian buffer zone,” said county resident Michael Lewis, referring to the area of vegetation that serves as a habitat for fish and wildlife. “I’m really concerned that this part of phase two be addressed now and not be a ministerial decision — a decision taken without public input.”
Noll & Tam Architects representative Leah Marthinsen reassured attendees that planners were looking to be as mindful of the whole area as possible, including only using just enough lighting features to keep the area safe. County Parks Director Jeff Gaffney said his team has been involved in the project design and has sought to protect, not invade, the riparian region specifically.
“We want to embrace it,” he said, later referencing recent fires and homeless occupation in the corridor that had likely caused some damage. “It is not necessarily outlined exactly what we are going to do, but we want to improve the riparian corridor and protect it and do a better job of that.”
Hearing Gaffney’s comment, Third District alternate Denise Holbert said she didn’t think construction should go ahead on the second phase without a strong sense of public transparency.
“I’m concerned that when we talk about it, they say, ‘We don’t know what we are going to do,’” Holbert said of planners. “The fact that it’s theoretical at this stage concerns me.”
Benefits of the addition
The library annex space would be able to supplement the nearby Live Oak library branch, limited in parking especially by its proximity to East Cliff Drive and a protected marsh. Library Regional Manager Heather Norquist explained that the annex could allow for more child-oriented, creative and sometimes loud activities that would otherwise not fit in at the library branch.
“We have some very popular programs that are very well-attended but so many people come that there’s nowhere for them to park,” Norquist said. “This annex would allow us the opportunity to invite huge numbers. For example, our ‘Toddler Time’ gets up to 70 people attending and that’s a noisy program with a lot of movement and action. It’d be great to offer that at the annex.”
It could also ease transportation for kids and teens that utilize the Boys & Girls Club or attend Shoreline Middle School, as those are both within the area of Simpkins Swim Center, Norquist added. There, they could utilize small conference, group study and tutoring rooms currently planned for the annex, Project Manager Damon Adlao said. The plaza outside is being redesigned to accommodate their programs, too.
“(It would) develop a sense of place for Live Oak, we thought this was an ideal space for that,” Adlao said.
Planner Randall Adams said that the proposed addition and partial remodel of the existing facility would match the architectural style of the swim center building as well as the Boys and Girls Club and the middle school. Marthinsen concurred. The style is just one of many elements built upon feedback from four community meetings conducted in 2018 and 2019.
“I know I shouldn’t say this, but it will be beautiful,” she said.
If the supervisors vote to approve the project, funding from the Measure S library facilities bond passed by voters in 2016 will be used to raise the annex and its related additions.
Library annex just another bait-and-switch
SC Sentinel
Letter-to-the-editor
October 27, 2018
https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2018/10/26/letter-library-annex-just-another-bait-and-switch/
Fast on the heels of the deceptive use of Measure S funds to move the downtown library into a parking garage comes another project playing fast and loose with taxpayer bond money. Measure S funds, intended to “improve and upgrade” the existing 10 branches in the county’s library system, will be spent on the Live Oak Annex, actually a remodel of the County Parks Department Simpkins Swim Center building. It essentially creates an eleventh branch, about a mile away from the existing Live Oak branch but with barely any books and staffed by County Parks personnel. Library staff will be present during planned library programs. This was presented at the Oct. 22 public meeting (attended by only 13 residents). How is this project justified as an acceptable use of Measure S funds intended for libraries, especially when the proposal includes non-library uses like cooking classes, yoga classes, and child care? — Judi Grunstra, Santa Cruz
Letter-to-the-editor
October 27, 2018
https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2018/10/26/letter-library-annex-just-another-bait-and-switch/
Fast on the heels of the deceptive use of Measure S funds to move the downtown library into a parking garage comes another project playing fast and loose with taxpayer bond money. Measure S funds, intended to “improve and upgrade” the existing 10 branches in the county’s library system, will be spent on the Live Oak Annex, actually a remodel of the County Parks Department Simpkins Swim Center building. It essentially creates an eleventh branch, about a mile away from the existing Live Oak branch but with barely any books and staffed by County Parks personnel. Library staff will be present during planned library programs. This was presented at the Oct. 22 public meeting (attended by only 13 residents). How is this project justified as an acceptable use of Measure S funds intended for libraries, especially when the proposal includes non-library uses like cooking classes, yoga classes, and child care? — Judi Grunstra, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz County eyes tax-funded library annex at swim center
Santa Cruz Sentinel
October 23, 2018
By Jessica A. York
https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2018/10/23/santa-cruz-county-eyes-tax-funded-library-annex-at-swim-center/
Plans are coalescing to renovate and expand the Simpkins Family Swim Center to include a new “annex” featuring library programming and services.
Monday night, project architect firm Noll & Tam unveiled three rough design sketches of the project, which would be funded primarily by the June 2016 voter-approved Measure S library bond measure. Some $6.25 million has been set aside for Live Oak-area library efforts, to be divided between the existing Live Oak Branch library and the proposed new annex.
Library Director Susan Nemitz said the project goal is to create a centrally located site catering to all ages with community gathering spaces and free programming. She said the library also hopes to partner with Santa Cruz County Parks and Recreation, so that users can’t recognize where the library ends and parks and recreation facilities begin. The swim center, at 979 17th Ave., is next door to the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Cruz County and next door to Shoreline Middle School. The swim center itself is expected to remain much the same as it is now, while the rest of the building and outdoor areas could be transformed and expanded to varying degrees.
“I think traditionally, parks have done the physical well-being and libraries the intellectual well-being. But, where those two things happen often crosses,” Nemitz said. “We feel like there’s this huge opportunity for us to work together and serve this community.”
More than a dozen people turned out for the second of three public meetings planned at the swim center’s community room, with their input combined with results of an online community survey related to priority library services and programs. Afterward, attendees were invited to pick from each project design their favorite features and give additional feedback.
It is unclear how much of the $6.25 million set aside for Live Oak library facilities would go to the annex proposal, off 17th Avenue, rather than the existing 12-year-old library branch on Portola Drive. However, a cost estimate will be offered at the next annex community meeting, scheduled for Dec. 4, officials said.
Amenities envisioned for the library annex include such additions as book lockers where patrons can pick up reserved books, a teaching kitchen, program space, computer stations, a cafe, outdoor park and play space, drop-in child care, community classrooms and private study spaces, among other ideas. Library staff would be on site for specific events, rather than continuously, Nemitz said. Library and Parks and Recreation officials expect to coordinate their offerings so as not to exacerbate traffic congestion and parking shortages, officials said.
Community members asked presenters how they intended to enforce rules, keep visitors safe and minimize the impact of visitors with behavioral problems. Many of the audience’s voiced concerns were focused on visitors who were homeless and using the space as a de facto day center. County Parks Director Jeff Gaffney said his staff already have procedures in place for such issues and would expand their oversight to the library annex area.
“As a public entity, the public has the right to be here,” Nemtiz said in response to questions.
October 23, 2018
By Jessica A. York
https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2018/10/23/santa-cruz-county-eyes-tax-funded-library-annex-at-swim-center/
Plans are coalescing to renovate and expand the Simpkins Family Swim Center to include a new “annex” featuring library programming and services.
Monday night, project architect firm Noll & Tam unveiled three rough design sketches of the project, which would be funded primarily by the June 2016 voter-approved Measure S library bond measure. Some $6.25 million has been set aside for Live Oak-area library efforts, to be divided between the existing Live Oak Branch library and the proposed new annex.
Library Director Susan Nemitz said the project goal is to create a centrally located site catering to all ages with community gathering spaces and free programming. She said the library also hopes to partner with Santa Cruz County Parks and Recreation, so that users can’t recognize where the library ends and parks and recreation facilities begin. The swim center, at 979 17th Ave., is next door to the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Cruz County and next door to Shoreline Middle School. The swim center itself is expected to remain much the same as it is now, while the rest of the building and outdoor areas could be transformed and expanded to varying degrees.
“I think traditionally, parks have done the physical well-being and libraries the intellectual well-being. But, where those two things happen often crosses,” Nemitz said. “We feel like there’s this huge opportunity for us to work together and serve this community.”
More than a dozen people turned out for the second of three public meetings planned at the swim center’s community room, with their input combined with results of an online community survey related to priority library services and programs. Afterward, attendees were invited to pick from each project design their favorite features and give additional feedback.
It is unclear how much of the $6.25 million set aside for Live Oak library facilities would go to the annex proposal, off 17th Avenue, rather than the existing 12-year-old library branch on Portola Drive. However, a cost estimate will be offered at the next annex community meeting, scheduled for Dec. 4, officials said.
Amenities envisioned for the library annex include such additions as book lockers where patrons can pick up reserved books, a teaching kitchen, program space, computer stations, a cafe, outdoor park and play space, drop-in child care, community classrooms and private study spaces, among other ideas. Library staff would be on site for specific events, rather than continuously, Nemitz said. Library and Parks and Recreation officials expect to coordinate their offerings so as not to exacerbate traffic congestion and parking shortages, officials said.
Community members asked presenters how they intended to enforce rules, keep visitors safe and minimize the impact of visitors with behavioral problems. Many of the audience’s voiced concerns were focused on visitors who were homeless and using the space as a de facto day center. County Parks Director Jeff Gaffney said his staff already have procedures in place for such issues and would expand their oversight to the library annex area.
“As a public entity, the public has the right to be here,” Nemtiz said in response to questions.
Live Oak Annex Under Development
Proposed Live Oak library annex project a central community space
Santa Cruz Sentinel | Online Edition
November 17, 2017
By Jessica A. York
https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2017/11/27/proposed-live-oak-library-annex-project-a-central-community-space/
The blurry outline of a proposed new Live Oak library annex, serving first and foremost as a community gathering space, is beginning to take shape.
After voters approved a $67 million bond for facilities work throughout the Santa Cruz Public Libraries’ 10-branch system, via Measure S in June 2016, some $5 million of the proceeds were set aside for a combined project: work to update the Live Oak branch facilities and to create a new Live Oak annex. A working group comprised of library, county, school district and Boys and Girls Club representatives have since worked out a wishlist for the annex space, which would expand library services beyond the existing facility with room for community programing and particularly catering to area youth. The project’s latest iteration, still in draft stage, calls for construction of an addition to the Simpkins Swim Center that would house small classrooms and study rooms, high-speed internet access, a small collection of books, easy access to mobile book equipment and “flexible outdoor space” for gatherings and more, according to a Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors agenda report at its Oct. 24 meeting.
The annex, open to the general public, could fill an empty niche in the Live Oak area in a location more central to the community, said Jason Hoppin, spokesman for the Santa Cruz County. The proposed site is adjacent to Shoreline Middle School and the Boys and Girls Club on Seventh Avenue.
“It’s a little premature to say exactly what it’s going to look like, because that work hasn’t been done,” Supervisor Board Chairman John Leopold said Monday.
This week, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors is set to approve the hiring of an architect to design library renovations for the Live Oak, La Selva Beach and Boulder Creek branch renovations. Once costs for the Live Oak branch work are penciled out, the board will know how much is left for a library annex facility, Leopold said. The county also has issued a request for architect proposals on the library annex site, said Library Director Susan Nemitz.
“Really, this is in response to the idea, could you put a program room at Live Oak. We never could. We’ve gone back and asked,” Nemitz said in a facilities project update to the Library Advisory Commission on Monday night.
“If you look at our future, it’s around education programming, so that facility’s at a huge disadvantage by not being able to have that kind of space. So, we’ll spend a little bit of money in Live Oak. But we’re looking at a place in the Live Oak community where we can put more of those programming spaces.”
The Live Oak library branch, the second newest branch at 11 years old, is limited in its expansion options due to sharing borders with East Cliff Drive and a protected marsh.
The Measure S campaign website, Our Libraries Our Future, describes the Live Oak branch needs as being determined by the “Santa Cruz Public Libraries Facilities Master Plan 2014-2023,” without reference or details for an annex proposal. The four-year-old facilities plan calls for some $1.1 million in maintenance work and between $325,000 and $575,000 in upgrades for the Live Oak branch.
If the library annex moves forward along lines described in October to the county, the Simpkins center might also see related overall upgrades, for which separate funding would need to be sought. The county will investigate cots to expand the site’s existing kitchen, create a related cafe space, cover the warm-water pool and Boys and Girls Club basketball court and develop room for child care and exercise.
November 17, 2017
By Jessica A. York
https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2017/11/27/proposed-live-oak-library-annex-project-a-central-community-space/
The blurry outline of a proposed new Live Oak library annex, serving first and foremost as a community gathering space, is beginning to take shape.
After voters approved a $67 million bond for facilities work throughout the Santa Cruz Public Libraries’ 10-branch system, via Measure S in June 2016, some $5 million of the proceeds were set aside for a combined project: work to update the Live Oak branch facilities and to create a new Live Oak annex. A working group comprised of library, county, school district and Boys and Girls Club representatives have since worked out a wishlist for the annex space, which would expand library services beyond the existing facility with room for community programing and particularly catering to area youth. The project’s latest iteration, still in draft stage, calls for construction of an addition to the Simpkins Swim Center that would house small classrooms and study rooms, high-speed internet access, a small collection of books, easy access to mobile book equipment and “flexible outdoor space” for gatherings and more, according to a Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors agenda report at its Oct. 24 meeting.
The annex, open to the general public, could fill an empty niche in the Live Oak area in a location more central to the community, said Jason Hoppin, spokesman for the Santa Cruz County. The proposed site is adjacent to Shoreline Middle School and the Boys and Girls Club on Seventh Avenue.
“It’s a little premature to say exactly what it’s going to look like, because that work hasn’t been done,” Supervisor Board Chairman John Leopold said Monday.
This week, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors is set to approve the hiring of an architect to design library renovations for the Live Oak, La Selva Beach and Boulder Creek branch renovations. Once costs for the Live Oak branch work are penciled out, the board will know how much is left for a library annex facility, Leopold said. The county also has issued a request for architect proposals on the library annex site, said Library Director Susan Nemitz.
“Really, this is in response to the idea, could you put a program room at Live Oak. We never could. We’ve gone back and asked,” Nemitz said in a facilities project update to the Library Advisory Commission on Monday night.
“If you look at our future, it’s around education programming, so that facility’s at a huge disadvantage by not being able to have that kind of space. So, we’ll spend a little bit of money in Live Oak. But we’re looking at a place in the Live Oak community where we can put more of those programming spaces.”
The Live Oak library branch, the second newest branch at 11 years old, is limited in its expansion options due to sharing borders with East Cliff Drive and a protected marsh.
The Measure S campaign website, Our Libraries Our Future, describes the Live Oak branch needs as being determined by the “Santa Cruz Public Libraries Facilities Master Plan 2014-2023,” without reference or details for an annex proposal. The four-year-old facilities plan calls for some $1.1 million in maintenance work and between $325,000 and $575,000 in upgrades for the Live Oak branch.
If the library annex moves forward along lines described in October to the county, the Simpkins center might also see related overall upgrades, for which separate funding would need to be sought. The county will investigate cots to expand the site’s existing kitchen, create a related cafe space, cover the warm-water pool and Boys and Girls Club basketball court and develop room for child care and exercise.