Plan for a New Garberville Library

Garberville's Current Library Building Opened on Wednesday October 13, 2021  

The new library was well-received by the community and praised for its well-lit, comfortable space, and friendly staff. . While construction was underway, the Humboldt Library Foundation awarded $9,100 toward the purchase of sturdy, good quality children's furniture for the children's area of the new library. The library opened full of new books, many purchased with generous donations from enthusiastic local readers. The Friends of the Garberville Library took the lead to raise money for the new books.

More about the 'Garberville Mini-Complex' and the Library

Adams Commercial General Contracting of Eureka was the general contractor and Sally Swanson Architects the architect for the project. The building broke ground on September 2, 2020. 

During construction of the new building, the Garberville Library continued to make library materials and services available to the public. The library was temporarily housed in the Department of Health and Human Services office on Cedar St. in Garberville. An outdoor book return was hosted by Ray's Food Place, since pandemic protocols did not permit people to enter the library at that point. The Bookmobile visited the Garberville Post Office on the first four Thursdays of each month and provided access to materials from the whole County Public Library System. 

Creating arrangements that allowed library service to continue all during the construction and pandemic was a collaborative effort among County workers from the Library, DHHS and DHHS Information Services, the County Administrative Office, Information Technology, and Public Works/Building Maintenance. 

Artist's sketch of the building to house the library, substation, & meeting room.

An artist's sketch of the new Garberville Campus Complex.

Construction During a Worldwide Pandemic

Hopes and plans were made for a new Garberville library well before the date construction began. However, in December 2019, a deadly new virus, SARScoV2, was identified and soon swept the world. In January 2020, Covid-19 was declared a national Public Health Emergency in the USA. By March 20, a local emergency was declared as the virus had reached Humboldt County. A Shelter in Place order was issued by the County Health Officer. 

Multiple Covid-19 restrictions continued during the entire time the new Garberville mini-complex was being built. The pandemic affected the whole community, everyone who worked on the project, supplies of materials, transportation of materials, construction timelines, and every other aspect of the work. Kudos to all for their patience, courage, and persistence in getting the job done.

New Features

The new building is energy-efficient and fully ADA accessible. As well as new books, it offers computer stations for public use, high-speed wireless internet both inside and in the parking lot, a multimedia system for special events, a comfortable children’s section, and a reading and study area. The complex also includes a conference room that is available for a variety of community programs, and public restrooms, as well as the Sheriff's substation.

Below, you can see a diagram of the floor plan.

The Garberville Mini-Complex floor plan, showing the meeting room and separate Sheriff's Substation as well as the Library.

Garberville Library floor plan, approximate

September 9, 2021 

Photos show an inside view of the almost-complete library. Humboldt Library Director Chris Cooper took these photos with his phone camera. Librarian Kay Sheldon was very happy to see her new desk!

A proud carpenter stands inside the newly erected service desk.

A carpenter stands inside the new service desk, built of wood with a glassed-in top.

A detail of the service desk shows the built-in display case and book return slot.

The desk has a small display case built in, and a book return slot.

Here's the view from inside the desk out into the library.

Inside, the service desk is not quite done, and looks out at unfinished shelves.

The library door to the lobby.

The door from the library to the hallway, drinking fountains, restrooms, & entrance.

An empty space awaits bookshelves and books!

Garberville Library's empty, open space waiting for bookshelves.

The Conference Room

The Garberville Campus Complex Conference Room, with a video screen, meeting table, and chairs.

Outside the library - a daytime photo.

Garberville Library on a sunny day in July.

An evening view of the building shows the outdoor lighting.

Garberville Library on 8-11-2021, an evening view that shows the outside lighting.

Unpacking the furniture

Comfortable padded armchairs and colorful children's furniture in playful shapes.

In October 2021, the Garberville mini-complex opened its doors and welcomed the public to the new library and meeting space. The Library very much appreciates the work of all the volunteers, County departments and coworkers, planners, collaborators and builders, donors and community partners, the generous welcome extended by DHHS staff in sharing their space, and the creative work of everyone involved.