The Auburn Library is a step closer to being upgraded with $9.8 million in improvements including new heating and air conditioning units, public restroom renovations and installation of an elevator among electrical and safety feature upgrades.
The Board of Supervisors took action recently to accept a $4.9 million Building Forward Library Infrastructure (BFLI) Grant which required matching funds to reach the $9.8 million cost. The Board also stipulated that up to $1 million of the county's match be paid by the library's reserve fund.
The BFLI Grant program was created out of the Budget Act of 2021, which allocated $4.9 million in one-time funds to California libraries to address life safety, critical maintenance and infrastructure needs of aging facilities.
The Auburn Library is celebrating its 50th anniversary of being a part of the Placer County library system this year.
"The Auburn Library building has served the County well for the past fifty years," said Assistant Director of Library Services Sophie Bruno. "This reinvestment in the facility ensures that we will continue to provide quality library service for the next generation of Placer County Library customers."
Upgrades to the Auburn Library will include:
- Electrical power and distribution center
- Life safety fire sprinkler system
- Telecommunications system
- Heating ventilation air conditioning distribution system
- Equipment room HVAC units
- Accessible public restrooms
- Elevator
- Staff/delivery access
- Ceiling, lighting and control systems
With the grant acceptance and funding approval, Placer County Facilities Management will come back to the Board of Supervisors to request approval for a consultant services agreement, approval of plans and specifications, and authorization to bid out and award a construction contract for the work to be performed.