In an exciting development for book lovers and community members, the Leo Politi Branch of the Fresno County Public Library is gearing up for a significant expansion. The beloved library, which has served the community for half a century, is set to move into a spacious new location that promises to revolutionize its services and capabilities.

Sally Gomez, the County Librarian for Fresno County Public Library, shared her enthusiasm about the move. “We just celebrated our 50-year anniversary here,” she said, reflecting on the library’s long-standing presence in the community. However, as Gomez pointed out, “It is far outgrown its size, and we’re just ready to expand into something larger.”

From Pharmacy to Literary Haven

The new location, a former Rite Aid building at 6074 N. First St., will provide the library with a whopping 21,400 square feet of space. This is a massive upgrade from the current 5,000 square foot facility.

Gomez explained the significance of this move, saying, “This location where we’re at now, which is First and Bullard, is now more or less the center of Fresno. It used to be more south, but as Fresno continues to grow north, the central location is moving north.”

Addressing Space Constraints

The expansion isn’t just about size, though. It’s about enhancing the library’s ability to serve its community. Gomez elaborated on the challenges they’ve faced in their current location: “We just don’t have the space here. It’s very small, and it’d be hard to host something without being really intrusive and loud.”

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The new space will address these issues head-on. “Having a larger space will allow us to have more defined areas for children, for teens, for adults, for computer use, and then we can also have a quiet room,” Gomez explained. She added, “We’ll have study rooms that can be reserved for small groups to study. So we’ll have a lot of those kinds of offerings that will allow people just a greater use.”

The Relevance of Physical Libraries in the Digital Age

But why expand a physical library in the digital age?

Gomez had a compelling answer: “We do a lot of programs and services that mean coming into the branch. Sometimes it’s author talks. Sometimes it’s book clubs. Sometimes it’s yoga classes. So it just depends on what people are looking for. We really try to have something for everybody, and people like having connections.”

The expansion also reflects the evolving role of libraries in our communities.

“We still see it as a place, a community place for people to come, and we have so many services,” Gomez said. “Our librarians and our staff are trusted sources for information, right? So when you’re looking for something and you want to ask questions or you just need some resources, they’re the ones that have that information and that can provide it for you one-on-one in person, and that kind of is hard to find nowadays, you know?”

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Overcoming Obstacles

The move to the new location wasn’t without its challenges. Gomez revealed, “At first we were told no, we can’t have a library here because our tenants who have that right to have a say have said no, we don’t want this.”

However, thanks to the efforts of community advocates, particularly the Friends of the Library group, the project got the green light. “Our friends group led a very robust charge to advocate for the library, and they went on a letter writing campaign,” Gomez recounted.

Funding the Future

Funding for this ambitious project comes from Measure B, a local sales tax initiative. Gomez explained, “We’re funded through Measure B, which is a one-eighth of a cent sales tax. And it’s provided a good portion of our budget that helps us pay for staff, pay for materials, and pay for facilities.”

Measure B is a one-eighth of a cent sales tax approved by voters in November 2006. This measure was initiated to fund various services, including public safety, transportation, and local projects within the city of Fresno and the surrounding county. The tax aimed to provide additional revenue to support and enhance essential community services.

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As the Leo Politi Library prepares for this exciting new chapter, it’s clear that the expansion is more than just about books. It’s about creating a space where the community can come together, learn, and grow.  As Gomez put it, “We’re a place for people to connect.”

With its increased space and enhanced capabilities, the new Leo Politi Library is set to become an even more vital hub for the community.

About Leo Politi

Leo Politi was born in Fresno in 1908 and became was an award-winning artist and author who wrote and illustrated some 20 children’s books, as well as an adult book, Bunker Hill, Los Angeles (1964). His works often celebrated cultural diversity, reflecting his Italian-American heritage and years spent abroad. Many were published in both English and Spanish.

For those interested in learning more about the library’s namesake and his significant influence on Los Angeles and Fresno, a documentary about Politi is available.

“This documentary provides some really great info on Leo Politi and his influence in L.A. and Fresno,” says Gomez. The film can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvCDRIKbz0E

About the Author

GV Wire Producer Dean Kirkland is the founder and director of Gas and Gears, an independent film production company that has produced numerous television series and feature films, including the award-winning documentary “Racing Through The Forest” (2014).