The Carmel Public Library Foundation (CPLF), an official City Support Group, has established an Innovation Fund to help pay costs associated with projects to modernize and refurbish the library buildings. As part of this initiative, in spring 2017 the CPLF proposed the renovation of the Park Branch lobby project, which was approved by the Library Board of Trustees at a special meeting May 8, 2017 and by the Council at its regular meeting June 6, 2017.
The lobby renovation project construction and installation will take place during the month of August, with a projected completion date of August 24, 2018. The project includes the installation of a Feature Wall, opposite the front door where display and storage cabinets are currently located, that will have two iPAD stations with games, a large vertical screen that will display the short local history movies currently installed on the Carmel Stories iCell machine, and a smaller informational screen featuring news about library and CPLF programs, offerings and sponsors. In addition colorful, modular, family-friendly furniture will replace the present lobby furniture.
The CPLF received a grant in the amount of $40,000 from the Carmel Rotary Club to help fund the project and the remainder of the costs of which are being paid from the Foundation’s Innovation Fund. In addition to updating the lobby, the project is intended to serve as a preliminary step in the long-term development strategy for renovating the Park Branch Library, and will provide library patrons with an example of updated, relevant library buildings and services.
Library staff and the CPLF wish to acknowledge the completion of this project with a celebration to take place Saturday, September 15, 2018 from 12:00 (noon) to 2:00 pm. The celebration will include food, a performer, and the Wheelie Mobilee from MY Museum, featuring an Art Cart and Plinko Cart, a Bubble Table, Moon Sand Table, a Magna Tiles® Table, and Imagination Playground™ blocks for children to design their own inventions. The event will provide fun and entertainment for families and kids of all ages.
Per City Policy C16-01 any event that requires a downtown street closure requires City Council permission. It is requested that the Council approve the closure of Sixth Avenue between Junipero and Mission Streets.