Money to Fix Richmond Library Shot Down; City to Reapply for Grant

By Carol Dimmick

The state of California turned down an application by the city of San Francisco for $5.1 million of Prop. 14 funds to renovate the Richmond Branch Library, saying it failed to adequately expand the library's book collection and explain its technology plan.

San Francisco was not among the 16 winners awarded a share of $100 million handed out by the state in November to renovate local libraries. The state's decision not to fund the project is expected to delay the renovation of the Richmond Library by at least six months while a new application is submitted.

Although San Francisco became eligible to compete for $350 million in Prop. 14 funds after voters passed a Branch Library Improvement Program bond measure in 2000, it has yet to be awarded any of the more than $250 million the state has given out so far for projects. In January, San Francisco will submit five applications for the last $100 million, including a revamped application for the Richmond Library.

Although the rating panel gave the Richmond Library application an overall grade of "very good," it criticized the plan for failing to adequately increase the book collection.

"It seems that this project is a lot of work and cost to get an expanded collection of only a little over 10,000 volumes," wrote one member of the rating panel.

Panel members also cited the city's failure to adequately explain its technology plan as a second major weakness of the application.

City Librarian Susan Hildreth acknowledged the setback in remarks at a Nov. 20 meeting of the S.F. Library Commission, where she received permission by the board to revamp the Richmond Library application.

The new application will contain a request for almost $5.5 million from the state. Hildreth told members of the commission that the additional dollars were necessary to cover construction and technology expenses and to address the expansion of the book collection.

Hildreth acknowledged the competition will be fierce for the last $100 million, but she said San Francisco is in a good position to compete for the remaining funds.

"We got some good feedback on what to work on," she said.