Hayward’s new downtown library to open for regular operations Sept. 14

HAYWARD, Calif., Aug. 14, 2019--Hayward’s new 21st Century Library and Community Learning Center will open its doors for regular operations and a community open house at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14.

Construction of the new library at 888 C Street and new Heritage Plaza on the site of the old main library is being financed through the Measure C half-cent sales tax passed by Hayward voters in June 2014.

“We are very excited to finally be able to invite our local residents into this amazing building and start offering our services in a downtown location once again,” said Hayward Library Director Jayanti Addleman.  “It feels like homecoming, and we can’t wait to welcome the community back.”

Together, the new library and plaza are setting a new standard for environmentally sustainable design in public projects.  The building will be a net-zero-energy facility, meaning it will be 100-percent energy self-sufficient.  And it will be powered by 100 percent carbon-free sources of electricity.

To conserve drinking water, the new library and surrounding facilities will capture and store rainwater in a cistern beneath the location of the old main library for future non-potable uses, such as flushing toilets and irrigation.

Once fully operational, the new three-story, 58,000 square-foot library will house 50 percent more books and other materials than its predecessor; 53 additional computers available for public use; a Makerspace featuring 3D printers, robotics and textiles, a digital media lab; multiple community meeting rooms, a café, and a Homework Support Center in the children’s library.

The library opening Sept. 14 will be celebrated with activities and programs for all ages, including fun crafts and activities throughout the day, story times in English, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese, library tours conducted in English, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese, music, free gifts from the Friends of the Library and much more.  The Weekes branch will be closed on Sept. 14 and will resume regular service on Monday, Sept. 16, at 11 a.m.

Until the opening day, library services continue to be available in the downtown area through: pop-up libraries at the Saturday farmers market and summer 3rd Thursday Street Parties; Children’s programs at the Hayward Veteran’s Memorial Building on Thursdays from 10 a.m.; English Conversation Circles on Fridays from 3:30 p.m. at Hayward City Hall and the Hayward Public Library’s virtual branch online at www.hayward-ca.gov/public-library.

For more information on special programs, please visit http://hayward.evanced.info/signup/Calendar.