The ribbon cutting for the temporary Roseland library was a joyous occasion, and a preview of what’s to come

The Campaign for Roseland

Together, we’re building a 21st Century Library system. A new Roseland Regional Library is the next step.

Join Us!

Help us fund an abundance of resources and programs to meet the needs of the Roseland community–free and accessible to everyone.

Together, we’re building a 21st century library system

When most people think “library” they think of shelves of books and a librarian who says “shhh!” But libraries are changing, and Sonoma County Library is leading that change.

We’re building a 21st century library system brimming with programs and resources for every age and every interest – always free and accessible to all.

It started with the passage of Measure Y, the sales tax measure supported by the voters of Sonoma County that provides the funds we need to offer innovative programs to address the challenges we’re facing. We also expanded hours and now we’re open on Sundays at 11 more branches.

Modern libraries blend traditional services with the latest expertise, a blend of high tech and high touch. In the 21st century, libraries will not only meet the needs of today, they will also meet the needs of tomorrow.

Are our facilities ready to support 21st century library services?

Sonoma County Library’s new Facilities Master Plan guides us as we develop a shared vision of how 21st Century libraries can support implementation of our Reimaging Plan.

The highest priority is construction of the new Roseland Library.

But every branch in our system has to be modernized and adapted to 21st Century service. To implement all the plan recommendations would cost upwards of $200 million over 25 years. The library is not solely responsible for these costs; they must be planned and coordinated with our partner cities and the county.

The library’s current funding from property tax and sales tax will be insufficient to address these needs, hence the need for augmented funding from private sources.

The community partners are the Inspiration.

The critical source of inspiration for the development of this project comes first from the “voices of the community” whose candid feedback will be the basis for how facilities campus-wide, and Library programming and resources will ultimately be designed. To name just a few:

  • Mujeres Unidas/United Women’s Group : grassroots women’s group, focusing on equity and parity of services in Roseland);
  • Roseland Community Building Initiative: grassroots neighborhood organizers helping with culturally sensitive, bilingual outreach
  • Roseland Unified School District, Bellevue Union School District, Wright School District, and Santa Rosa City Schools: all districts are working actively to respond to disparities in educational access and attainment
  • Roseland Library Coalition: continuing its historic successful advocacy for library services in this community

We are also engaged with NGOs that serve this community, including Community Action Partnership Sonoma County; Santa Rosa Community Health; Sonoma County Economic Development Board and more, whose role will be to join and/or advise the community needs assessment, and contribute valuable information about overlapping constituent needs.

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