Happy silver anniversary to the New Main Library building, which opened its doors on April 18, 1996. Paid for by $104.5 million in bond funds and $22 million in private donations, the New Main Library construction project was, at the time of completion, the largest public/private partnership in the history of San Francisco. Its Sierra White granite facade, obtained from the quarry that provided the stone for other Civic Center buildings, is consistent with its Beaux Arts style. The facade on Grove and Hyde streets has a more contemporary feel, compatible with the commercial activity on Market Street. It was designed by James Ingo Freed of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners (New York) and Cathy Simon of Simon Martin-Vegue Winkelstein & Moris (San Francisco).
Paracaidista en el día de inauguración de la Biblioteca Central, 1996 13photosPersonajes de cuentos esperando para entrar en la Biblioteca Central, 1996 13photosMarjorie Stern (a la derecha) y otros invitados observando de cerca el modelo de la nueva Biblioteca Central, 1990 13photosAlcalde Frank Jordan, Sybil Boutilier, el bibliotecario de la ciudad Kenneth Dowlin y el ex alcalde Art Agnos en la ceremonia de inauguración de la nueva Biblioteca Central en 1992 13photosLas artistas Ann Hamilton y Ann Chamberlain, que diseñaron la pared del catálogo de tarjetas en 1995 13photosTrabajando en el atrio de la Biblioteca Central, 1995 13photosParacaidista y escritor del aire en el día de la inauguración de la Biblioteca Central, 1996 13photosStorybook characters waiting to enter Main Library, 1996 13photosPeople watching S.F. Mime Troupe outside Main Library, 1996 13photosBand playing outside Main Library on Fulton St., 1996. 13photosPeople in the Main Library atrium, 1996 13photosArchitect Cathy Simon, City Librarian Kenneth Dowlin and Mayor Willie Brown, 1996. 13photosCharlotte Mailliard Shultz, Mayor Willie Brown, Architects Cathy Simon and James Ingo Freed (far right) in front of the Main Library, 1996. 13photos