The
Tudor-style building at 2940 Benvenue Avenue in Berkeley was opened
ceremoniously by Berkeley Mayor Frank D. Stringham on the evening of October
27, 1924. The library was designed to blend in both scale and character with
the beautiful homes around it. James W. Plachek, who also designed
the Berkeley Central building downtown, gave the library an Old World charm
still apparent today.
Artists,
writers, musicians and political activists among others, have been attracted to
the Elmwood neighborhood since the first homes were built in the early 1900’s.
The name "Elmwood" first appeared in a 1905 promotional real
estate brochure extolling its bucolic charms and its wide unpaved avenues of
elms and poplars. Today anyone living within easy walking distance of the
shopping district at College and Ashby Avenues is part of this
pedestrian-friendly neighborhood.
Renovated
and improved, the Claremont Branch is poised to serve future generations
with updated and state-of-the-art spaces that are inviting, efficient, and
flexible. The renovation and improvements were completed as part of
the Branch Library Improvement program that began in 2009. Funds from
a $26 million bond measure will bring all four branches up to current
code standards. The renovated branches will meet current seismic
requirements, be fully ADA accessible and provide environmentally
sustainable “green” operations.
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| The new addition and entrance. For a slide show click here. |
