Artwork Chosen for Richmond library
'Touching Earth' Sculpture to Greet Patrons After Remodel

By Carol Dimmick

A concrete and metal sculpture by Scott Donahue was chosen to be installed in front of the Ninth Avenue entrance of the Richmond Branch Library. The artwork is part of a major $8.4 million renovation plan the city is expected to submit to Sacramento in late March in a bid for $5.1 million in matching state funds.

Donahue, who makes his home in Emeryville, beat out two other finalists competing for the honor when his proposal was selected by the Richmond Branch Community Artists Selection Panel Feb.14. The proposal must be adopted by the Visual Arts Committee and the S.F. Art Commission before a contract can be signed. Donahue will be paid $36,000 for the sculpture.

At the Feb. 14 presentation the artist told panel members that his sculpture, entitled "Touching Earth," was inspired by the concept that everyone living in the Bay Area came originally from somewhere else. The sculpture, which will be installed in a circular spot in the walkway leading to the Ninth Avenue entrance of the Carnegie-style building, consists of two cast bronze domes, one of which sits on top of a concrete base. The domes will be infused with ceramic insets of transportation modes, which the artist intends as a visual and tactile invitation to the public.

City to apply for $5.1 million in state matching funds in March
Plans for renovating the library took a giant step forward Feb. 20 when the S.F. Library Commission passed a resolution recommending that the SF Board of Supervisors certify the city's application for $5.1 million in matching state funds for the $8.4 million project. The remaining money will come from local bond money approved by San Francisco voters in November 2000.

The Richmond Branch Library renovation is the largest of the 19 renovation projects currently in the planning stage. The design went through several modifications which incorporated community suggestions before a final design scheme was approved by the commission.

Marilyn Thompson, program manager for the San Francisco Public Library, said the library will be renovated even if the state turns down the city's application for matching state funds. "This is our biggest, best design renovation project. This is our crown jewel," Thompson told a small group of residents who gathered at the library Feb. 13 to get a project update.

City librarian Susan Hildreth told commission members Feb. 20 that she believes the project is very competitive and has an excellent chance of being funded because it is a renovation of a Carnegie-style building and because the City owns land around the building that could be used for further expansion.

If everything goes as planned, construction is scheduled to begin in mid-2004 and the new library should be ready by mid-2006. Improvements to the library will include: Overall expansion to 4,000 square feet; new teen area and program room; additional computers and mix of seating; a 14 percent increase in the book collection, from 74,800 to 85,645 volumes; and fully accessibly building (ADA compliant) with modern restroom facilities.