July 1, 2025
Library and Community Services
DATE: July 1, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
LaShonda White, Deputy City Manager of Community
Services
Kate Eppler, Deputy Director of Community Services-
Library
Christopher Larsen, Library Services Manager
Subject:
Purchase of Mobile Shelving for Temporary Civic Center
Library
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed $30,000 expenditure will come from the Library Impact Fee Fund (Account String: 21741055-
400604).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Main Library will be moving to temporary quarters in Civic Center during the Main Library renovation. To
maximize functionality in the smaller space, the Library is requesting to purchase moveable shelves that can be
temporarily pushed aside to make way for other activities and events.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: APPROVE the purchase of 14 mobile, double-sided display shelves from Demco for a purchase price not to
exceed $30,000 — Community Services (Christopher
Larsen 510-620-5524/Kate Eppler 510-620-5452).
AGENDA
REPORT
July 1, 2025
DISCUSSION:
The Richmond Main Library, built in 1949 and located at 325 Civic Center Plaza, serves as the central branch of the Richmond Public Library system. Decades of deferred maintenance have created the need for major repairs and upgrades.
To address these issues, the City has secured nearly $34 million in funding through state grants and local appropriations. Planning is complete, and construction is scheduled to begin in October 2025, with reopening expected in late 2027. During renovations, library services will temporarily relocate to the Richmond Memorial Auditorium.
Outreach and planning phases for the renovation project have completed, and construction work is scheduled to begin in October 2025, with an estimated Main Library re-opening in late 2027. To maintain continuity of library services during the construction period, the Main Library’s functions will be relocating to several of the conference rooms at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium: the Bermuda, Catalina, Emerald and Drummond rooms.
Relocating Main Library services to the Richmond Memorial Auditorium conference rooms will reduce available space from approximately 30,000 square feet to 4,000 square feet. To maximize flexibility within the limited space, City staff propose the purchase of moveable bookshelves that will allow for reconfiguration of the temporary library as needed.
The recommended Demco Americana Double-Faced Mobile Bookshelves offer durable, attractive shelving that supports public access to the collection while enabling staff to easily clear floor space for programming such as children’s storytime, “Read to a Dog,” and other regular events. Although proprietary to Demco, these shelves were selected following a review of three comparable options, based on quality, design, mobility, and cost.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Quote
Attachment 2 – Quote Summary