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I am very excited to say that the Orinda Library has been recognized this week in two local “Best Of” lists……

Best Library in the East Bay Express’ “Best of the East Bay 2008″ and Best Family-Friendly Library in Diablo Magazine’s “Best of the East Bay 2008″!!!

What I find most striking about both of the write-ups is that the focus is really on the library as place……both as a good place in itself to be and as a good place within the larger community center area in which we’re located. There is brief mention about our collections and no mention about our staff or other services/programs we provide (other than a mention of wireless access and public computers). I am okay with this, as I figure that if our staff and services weren’t good – people wouldn’t want to visit regardless of how nice the space is!

But, really – the focus is on the library as a nice, comfortable, pleasant place to be and to work. And – the bigger picture – the art gallery outside the library, the water fountains in the Plaza, meeting rooms, the park next door – and, yes, both mention the Cafe downstairs.

Its really about the library and the way we’re integrated into the community space. I commend the planners who had the vision when they relocated the Library here in 2001 and I also see this trend playing out in new library projects throughout the county and throughout the nation.

We really are part of a bigger story in people’s lives – what they look to from their neighborhoods, from their community, from their cities.