Wondering where to find a civic lantern in the park? It’s here at the North Beach Branch Library. This library offers valuable services to San Francisco’s diverse urban neighborhood.
The North Beach Branch Library stands at the crossroads of North Beach. It offers spectacular city views. This wasn’t always the library’s location. The original North Beach Branch Library was in Chinatown. That space is now the Chinatown Branch. In 1958, the branch was renamed. A new North Beach Branch was built at 2000 Mason Street, next to Joe DiMaggio Playground.
Fast forward to more recent times. In May 2014, the new North Beach Branch Library opened at 850 Columbus Avenue. Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects designed it. Funding came from Proposition D approved by voters in November 2007. Before this triangular building stood here, it was a parking lot. Mason Street was closed off to cars. This created a pedestrian walkway.
The two-story North Beach Branch Library has double-height reading rooms. Mid-block entries connect to both Columbus Avenue and the expanded park at Mason Plaza. Generous glazing at the three corners creates urban lanterns. Smaller openings connect to the park and Columbus Avenue.
The North Beach Branch Library frames views of neighborhood landmarks. It orients visitors to iconic vistas. This building embodies San Francisco’s commitment to sustainability. The library integrates sustainable design strategies. It received LEED Gold certification.
The former North Beach Branch at 2000 Mason Street met its end despite being added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. The old building was razed. A new, triangular building took its place nearby. The new library boasts over 3,000 more square feet. The site of the old library became expanded open space for the playground.
The city approved a multi-phase project. This included documenting the existing North Beach Branch. Photos drawings and text captured the building’s history. The information was filed in the History Room of the SFPL Main Library. It also went to the State Office of Historic Preservation. A permanent display was planned to interpret the history of the 1959 branch.
The North Beach Branch Library is more than just a building. It is a community hub. It is a sustainable space. It is a testament to San Francisco’s commitment to its residents.