Gunn HS student visits Palo Alto’s new Rinconada Library and loves the modern, welcoming vibe

Lisa Wang, a Palo Alto Pulse youth reporter and Gunn High School student, visited Rinconada Library on opening day and was wowed by what she saw….

This year February 14th was a big day in Palo Alto. Not only was it the widely celebrated holiday of love, but it also marked the grand opening of Palo Alto’s Rinconada Library.

Formerly known as the Main Library, this branch has been on Newell Road for the last 57 years, and recently underwent an $18 million renovation funded by the 2008 voter-approved Measure N. This remodel added nearly 4,000 square feet to the original floor plan, which now includes two outdoor courtyards, four private study rooms, a Teen Zone, a conference room, a vending machine room, public restrooms, and a spacious skylight lobby.

To celebrate its grand re-opening, the library hosted an exciting day of events on February 14th, starting with an official opening ceremony and complete with entertainment and activities for all kinds of Palo Altans.

Musical performances by the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra and the Firebird Chinese Orchestra captivated listeners of all ages, a group of makeX volunteers demonstrated their 3-D printer and laser cutter to fellow teens, and

the “Sssnake

Ssstorytime” and “Make-A-Valentine” activities provided diversion for the younger children. One of my personal favorites was the beautiful “Tree Walk,” guided by an arborist from Canopy, an environmental nonprofit dedicated to planting and protecting trees in parks, at schools, and along streets of Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, and neighboring communities. The Rinconada grand re-opening attracted a wide range of Palo Altans, from parents with their kids, to local college students, to seniors on their morning walks, filling the library and its immediate surroundings with an atmosphere of cheer and community connection.

As a high school student, my favorite aspect of the newly-renovated Rinconada Library is how modern and user-friendly

it has become. There are 31 desktop computers available for use (double the number before), along with speedy and free WiFi. The four private study rooms, fully equipped for electronic devices, are perfect for group study sessions. Scores of new desks, complete with electronic charging stations, allow individuals to work or read in their own little

 

bubble of privacy. I especially appreciate the new Teen Zone, which gives students a quiet area to access computers, flip through books and magazines, or study in comfy chairs and couches. The library can now serve as a highly convenient workspace, providing both a location and the resources for people to get things done.

Fancy technological upgrades aside, the remodeled library also has a gone through change in ambience — and it’s change for the better. While much of the original layout and building structure has remained the same, allowing for the preservation of historical elements, new modern furniture and decor have established a theme of blues, greens, oranges, and browns that gives the space a cheerful yet cozy vibe. Mock fireplaces and floor-to-ceiling windows create a warm, inviting atmosphere.

While no doubt smaller than the two-story Mitchell Park Library, Rinconada boasts the same capabilities and services while remaining cute and homey — plus, the outdoor courtyards provide a blissful view of lush greenery and magnificent ancient trees simply unavailable anywhere else. This is somewhere I’d want to be, whether it’s to work on homework or just chill on a rainy day.

After exploring the Rinconada Library during opening day, I am beyond impressed with what it has become. The last time I was there, three years ago, it appeared rather dated; now, it strikes the perfect balance between sophistication and familiarity. I’m looking forward to stopping by as often as I can!

All photos by Lisa Wang.