The citizens of San Francisco passed a bond measure to enable them to renovate or replace all of the branch libraries throughout the City. The Park Branch, located in the Haight Ashbury district, is the oldest active library in the City, dating back to 1909. The original building features a single, large, open space on the upper floor, which had become quite cluttered with an array of shelving and furniture over the years. The interior of this branch was substantially reconfigured to increase seating and access to technology, and to make the entire library accessible. By clarifying the layout, lightening the color palette, and replacing the old ceiling mounted light fixtures with new pendants reminiscent of the original lights in the building, the library has been improved to feel more spacious and open. Much of the original furniture was restored and adapted for accessibility for use in the renovated library. One unique feature of the renovation is the addition of new trompe loil paintings of the sky above in the location of two original skylights in the ceiling. This will be the first LEED Gold Certified branch library in the City.
The Presidio branch is one of seven Carnegie branches in San Francisco, dating back to 1923. The branch is unique in its beautiful setting, spanning an entire block, and surrounded by open space. The project included restoration of all of the original terra cotta cladding on the exterior, as well as a complete modernization of the interior, to make the library fully accessible, and accommodate changing information technologies. There is a separate childrens room off the main space, and a newly defined area for teens. Some of the most noticeable improvements are on the lower level, where staff work areas and a large community room have been configured from an existing maze of spaces.