The San José City Council met on Tuesday to review proposals that could reshape the San José public library system over the next two decades.

Officials pointed to aging buildings, overcrowded branches and growing community demand with some libraries lacking renovations for years.

There are 25 public libraries in the city of San José, including the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library located at San José State, according to the San José Public Library webpage.

Jill Bourne, director of libraries for the city of San José, presented the library Facilities and Customer Experience plan.

Bourne said the system is a critical piece of the city’s infrastructure that serves as a place for education, technology and community life through the borrowing of books. 

“Library branches serve many functions for our system and our city as neighborhood anchors – networks of spaces that make the city’s knowledge, resources and education programs accessible to all,” Bourne said. 

The master plan presented to Council Member Rosemary Kamei is based on research and feedback to help guide reinvestment across the city library systems.

The plan builds on stewardship, investments and community building, according to the presentation during the meeting.

Margaret Sullivan, principal of Margaret Sullivan Studio, who assisted in leading the planning effort, said recommendations are grounded in both data and community input. 

“We gathered both qualitative and quantitative data to inform these comprehensive and evidence-based recommendations that we are presenting to you all today,” Sullivan said.

She said nearly 3,000 people responded to the surveys and about 180 community partners contributed to the process along with the input from civic groups, including the San José Youth Commission. 

The San José Youth Commission is a group of young people associated with the San José Library Department who advise the mayor and city council on issues affecting youth groups, according to the San José Public Library webpage. 

The Youth Commission advocates for community outreach and civic engagement for teens, according to the same source.

Sullivan said flaws in the current facilities such as elevators, mechanical equipment, key systems and flooring, have exceeded the lifespans that typically require significant upgrades. 

Building upkeep, like inspections and repairs, are necessary to keep facilities working, whereas renovation improves building functions and safety, according to the Healthy Building Science blog. 

Eleven of the 25 San José libraries have not been renovated in about 20 years, according to the presentation.

Brian, one of four community members to speak at the town hall, shared a public comment about his personal struggles with learning how to read.

He said access to educational resources and literary tools is important for people in the community. 

“Learning how to read is probably the most precious gift to have, and I can tell you how frustrating it is when you can’t read,” Brian said. “People become extremely angry with you when you can’t read, if you’re not quick enough or fast enough, or can’t respond.”

Brian said he is affected by dyslexia which makes having literary resources available to him that much more important.

Dyslexia is typically a significant difficulty in reading because of cognitive control, according to the National Library of Medicine study.

Dawn Coppin, the chief executive officer of the San José Public Library Foundation, said the plan could transform the system into an equitable space to access information for residents at every stage of life.

“One of the most striking things to me that came out of this project is the extent to which the branches are currently woefully deficient in space,” Coppin said. “So when you consider that 95% of the city residents highly value (the library), just imagine what they could look like with double the space capacity.” 

She added that expanding facilities could have a ripple effect across the city, leading to improved literacy rates and increased opportunities for arts, culture and job training. 

Although city council members present at the city hall approved the proposal, the master plan is still in the process of expansion in the future.  

“So on behalf of the staff and board of directors with the San José Public Library Foundation and as the major funder of this project, please adopt it,” Coppin said. “So that the library can support the city as a classroom, as connected communities, as a cultural connector and as a civic activator.”