2001 Library News
Here are library and Friends of the Palo Alto Library news stories from 2001.
See also:
Current News - Current and Previous
Newsletters -
Library Holiday Hours and Events
Library and Friends of the Palo Alto Library News for
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
Library Goes Wireless
(12/19/01) If you have a laptop computer with
a wireless network card, you can now tap directly into the Internet at the
Main Library. The library is also adding regular network jacks for
laptop users who don't have wireless cards. For more information,
see the library's instructions
and the Palo
Alto Weekly article.
Potential Funding for Mitchell Park Library Renovation
(12/14/01) In the December 7, 2001 report from the Palo
Alto City Manager, "Frank's Weekly Memo," the Palo Alto City Manager,
Frank Benest, includes a section titled "Potential Proposition 14 Library Bond Act Funding for
Mitchell Park Library Renovation." This story about a discussion with Michele Lew of Assemblyman Joe Simitian's office about the Proposition 14 Library Bond Act and Palo Alto plans to submit an application for funding for the Mitchell Park Library renovation can by read by clicking on Frank's
Weekly Memo 12/7/01. This item is eighth on the list of topics
covered in this report.
(12/11/01) We're now e-mailing a free notice
each month before the monthly book sale to remind you of the date, tell
you about special items for sale, and give you other news about the
libraries. If you're not receiving these, sign
up today.
(10/17/01) To read a news release from the
Friends of the Palo Alto Library and Libraries Now! about a survey of 400
Palo Alto voters, click on the title, above.
In a Guest Opinion in the Palo Alto Weekly, Shelby
Valentine, President of the Friends of the Palo Alto Library, summarizes
some of the problems with the local libraries and urges that we move
faster to improve them. One reason for this urgency is that there is a
deadline to meet to qualify for a grant from the $350 million in
Proposition 14 California Library Bonds to be awarded to communities who
commit to improve their libraries. To read the Guest Opinion, click on the
title, above.
The editorial writer for the Palo Alto Weekly
lists some concerns about the "all deliberate haste" currently seen with
the efforts to improve Palo Alto Libraries.
(7/27/01) The Palo Alto Daily News published an
editorial recommending a different way to raise money for libraries
without raising taxes. To read their editorial, please click on the title,
above.
(7/25/01) The July 25, 2001 issue of the Palo Alto
Weekly contains a report on the July 23 meeting of the Palo Alto City
Council, where a plan to speed up the improvements to the libraries was
approved. This plan will lead to a tax election in November 2002. The
story can be read by clicking on the title, above.
City Manager Reports on Library Plans
(7/7/01) In the July 6, 2001 report from the Palo
Alto City Manager, "Frank's Weekly Memo," the Palo Alto City Manager,
Frank Benest, includes a section titled "Library, One Year Into the New
Library Plan." This detailed listing of steps taken during the past year
can be read by clicking on Frank's
Weekly Memo. The Library section is sixth on the list of topics
covered in this report.
(7/4/01)The first story in the
7/4/01 Palo Alto Weekly describes the problems with the three main
Palo Alto libraries (Children's, Main, and Mitchell Park) and the efforts
of community members to expedite improvements. The story can be read by
clicking on the title, above.
(6/15/01) The Palo Alto Weekly report of the June
11 City Council meeting can be read by clicking on the title, above.
Libraries Now! Formed to Request Library Capital Improvements
(6/8/01)A Palo Alto citizen's
group, called Libraries Now! has formed to ensure municipal funding and an
agressive timetable for library capital improvements. Members of this
group will present recommendations for funding library renovations at the
City Council meeting on Monday, June 11.
To read their June 6, 2001 press release, please click on LIBRARIES
NOW
(6/8/01) The Palo Alto Weekly reported that a
citizen's group, Libraries Now!, (which includes many members of the
Friends of the Palo Alto Library) will ask the City Council to add money
to the budget to fund library improvements at the meeting on Monday, June
11, 2001. The story (reached by clicking on the title, above) contains
some more information about the request and comments from selected City
Council members.
Library Building Development Summary
During the past year, several projects have been
completed or are in progress to improve the Palo Alto City Library
buildings. This summary, compiled by Library Administration, is at DEVELOPMENT
SUMMARY
New Palo Alto Library Web Pages Available
(02/06/01)The redesign of the Palo Alto City Library's
web pages has finally been loaded on the City's web server. Check them out
at PALO ALTO CITY
LIBRARY.
The address is the same but the look and features are all new. For
example, under the Reference section, people can e-mail a question and
(hopefully) get a response within 48 hours.
You can also send in Interlibrary loan and purchase requests.
The site is designed to have information change frequently, for example
in the "Kids & Teen" section, the staff book review will change about
once a month. On the Home Page,"What's New at the Library?" will also
change. Currently "What's New at the Library?" highlights the new books on
CD and the DVD collections funded by the Friends.
Most of the credit for the new site goes to Martha Walters, who is also
responsible for the library computer system operations.
(02/06/01) Last year, the Friends of the Palo Alto
Library proposed a feasibility study to see if the Children's Library,
designed by Birge Clark, could be expanded without violating national and
local historic regulations. The Friends and the City of Palo Alto shared
the cost of the $50,000 study.
In the report released on June 16, 2000, the consulting architects
found that the current library could be expanded to more than twice its
size. This report was presented to the Library Advisory Commission on June
22, 2000.
To read the Palo Alto Weekly news story on this item, please
click on the headline, above.
To read the architect's report, click on Final
Feasibility Study for Children's Library
Library Catalog on Web!
Now there is a new way to look into the Palo
Alto Library catalog from your home computer. The newest method is the
WEBPac Library Catalog maintained by the library staff. This site
can be reached from the Palo Alto City Library home page on the Web or
from the link at the end of this article.
This new Web site has the following sections:
