City subsidies and private donations have kept the library system afloat in many ways but rarely assist with maintenance. Rather, contributions from Friends of the Library, anonymous donors, volunteers and cities mostly finance what the public cares about most keenly keeping doors open longer and buying more books. In turn, librarians trying to maintain their buildings are becoming even more resourceful. Across the county, Pinole's library staff is making a pact with the Private Industry Council to swap job counseling space for money for carpet to cover its concrete floors. Other branches are making similar deals and plotting not just how to make repairs but also how to develop larger buildings.
Cramped quarters are a widespread problem.
As Contra Costa librarians, library supporters and city leaders ponder how to build and expand branches properly, they have only subjective examples. There are no state standards for per-capita library space or collections, said Hall, the State Library administrator. But Contra Costa never attained even its modest minimums. All 23 libraries amount to about 0.20 square feet per capita, with a total of 227,312 square feet. Library and Walnut Creek officials toured East Bay libraries for ideas before the end of the year.