A Different/Better Approach to Rebuilding the Library

Mod: I received all of this last week. Sierra Madre resident Gary Hood has been working on some very imaginative ideas for the Library that I believe are pretty exciting, and need to be carefully considered. Especially now that the community has spoken and the notion of moving the Library poolside has been rejected. Rather than just selling the back lot and using that money to patch the old building up, why not take advantage of some of the resources that are available for libraries and can be used to do something incredible? Why automatically accept the unfortunate limitations that were built into the survey postcard process? As Gary shows, charitable resources for libraries are plentiful, and if asked some could actually kick in. A lot. Plus there are intellectual resources available as well. Why not give some of these a try first? It never does hurt to ask. What is the worst that could possibly happen, they'll say no?

Sierra Madre City Council

Mayor Delmar
Mayor Pro Tem Harabedian
Council Member Arizmendi
Council Member Capoccia
Council Member Goss

The following information stems from my attending the Library meeting at the YAC. My interest was in having at least two, preferably three bids so that the city could compare prices and performances. I had a better understanding of the situation after hearing what all the comments were from those in attendance and finding out that there were no plans for bidding because that was too expensive at this stage of the process.

The City is in an excellent position right now and can take advantage of having a competition for a new, up to date design that preserves the existing structure with an added on design that takes advantage of the most recent technology.  See #2 & #8

When you look at #10 you are looking at a sign in front of the Library that shows they are educating in the most recent technology.  The Library and the community should have a building that reflects what they are teaching.

The list on the next page can be a guide for an Architect in the competition for designing something unique and imaginative. Huntington Library #5 is a good example of what a Library can provide.  As of 2-12-18 #6 shows there is grant money available today, specifically for Libraries installing a Solar system.

When you take into account that using Geothermal #12 and #9, Solar Heating, the overall long term costs are recoverable.  #1 by Calif Department of Water Resources covers Grants and Loans for Recycling, Desalination, Stormwater and Gray-water.  This should be a consideration in a New Library design and other buildings in the City.

A Library with a Digitizing room #3 could be a real asset to community and the City. Think of a Library where you could go sit in a Virtual Reality Room and experience the Desert, a Forest or the beach.

Think of what it would be like for a study group to walk into such a room where the look and feel were the same as being there. This is not futuristic dreams, this is all possible today. Think of a proposal to Samsung, Sony, LG or RCA to help build such Library rooms. The possibilities could get people and organizations interested and involved.

Sierra Madre sits in the heart of Caltech, JPL, Hollywood and many advanced technologically advanced schools. We are lucky to have such talented residents that I’m sure would love to be involved with such a Modern Library Design. With a good design that takes advantage of the latest that technology has to offer I think we would be surprised at the contributions and donations.

Thank you for the opportunity to present this.

Respectfully, Gary Hood

Information and Points for Discussion

Ca. Water Grants & Loans *1

Competition,  Collegiate Schools of Architecture *2

Digitizing,  System/Room and Storage *3

Front View of SM Library and Sign *4  ‘cover page’

Germ Free Buildings

Geothermal Heating and Cooling

Huntington Library Geodesic Dome Greenhouse & Botanical Gardens *5

Hydroponic Climate Control

Hydroponic Greenhouse

Library Grant money from EBSCO as of 2-12-18 *6

Library installs Solar, may even make money *7

Rendering of SM Library as an Updated Design *8

Solar Heating ‘Wikipedia *9

Solar powered Buildings

SM Library STEAM for Adults *10

Virtual Reality Rooms

Virtual Reality Headsets *11

Why Geothermal *12

Financing