Children's Library
Many have the deeply inspired desire to be a part of something that will last through the ages. The opportunity to fullfill that desire is available in our need for more adequate library facilities for our children and our young adults.

By way of explanation, there are two buildings involved—the original library structure built in 1936 when Visalia’s population was 7,500, and the current Visalia Library built in 1976 when Visalia’s population was 36,300. Today, Visalia’s population is nearly 100,000. So, it is easy to see why our present facility is inadequate.

Our goal is to refurbish and restore the original library, built in 1936, into a children’s area with several rooms and connect it to the expanded main library built in 1976—to include space for our young adults. Not only will this project preserve the 68 - year old building, it also will allow our library to:
          • Increase public space for children from 3,300 to 5,900 sq. ft.
          • Make space for a special young adult section.
          • Provide restrooms designed for children.
          • Increase the children’s library computers from four to eight.
          • Provide special homework center room where now none exist.
          • Increase the book holding capacity for children by 47%.
          • Provide an enhanced story telling area. Story telling helps to instill the love of reading.
          • Move the circulation desk into what is now the courtyard at the main library’s entrance.

For financing, the library—in 2002—applied for and received a grant in the amount of $3.4 million from the Board of the Library Bond Act of 2000. This grant provides 65% of the total project cost; the remaining 35% is a required match to be raised locally from individuals, local government, civic organizations and clubs, foundations and corporations.

Specifically, the total cost of the project is approximately $5.3 million, of which the California State Library Grant provides $3.4 million and makes the required match approximately $1.9 million. The Tulare County Board of Supervisors has committed $750,000, and the City of Visalia has committed $500,000 toward the required match. The remaining $650,000 is the Foundation’s goal.

To date, we have received $407,000 in donations and pledges from generous local sources towards this goal. The results of a committee comprised of representatives of the Visalia Heritage Inc., Friends of the Library, the Foundation and local citizens. Dick Watson, the large gift chairman has announced the public phase of the Capital Campaign.

In addition to contributions of any amount, we have specific opportunities. These include, but are not limited to, $7,000 for a circulation desk; $24,000 for eight children’s public work stations (PC, desk and chairs - $3,000 each); another $24,000 for eight stations exclusively for homework. We also need $1,000 for two children’s sofas and $1,000 for four chairs for the children’s rotunda area.

As a former children’s librarian, I am truly excited about this project and know it will improve library services to the children and young adults of our County. Our library has provided the opportunity for thousands of Tulare County residents to experience ideas and adventures. For many people it started when they were children because someone took them to a library to check out a book or to attend the story time session.

It is very important to our children that we all share in the responsibility of providing this experience. What better way to do so than to give to the New Children’s Library Capital Campaign! Our future depends on them.