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Livermore Public Library officials are gearing up for the renovation of an approximately 1,700 square foot section of the Civic Center Library dedicated to teens. (Image courtesy of Livermore Public Library) 
The zone is intended to serve as a “third space” for youth to gather. (Image courtesy of Livermore Public Library)
In response to community requests, the Livermore Public Library is poised to begin renovating a portion of the Civic Center branch at the end of the year for exclusive use by teenagers.
Expected for completion around August 2027, the Teen Space is set to feature new seating and areas where middle and high school students can gather to study, work on projects and socialize — no reservations required.
Spanning approximately 1,700 square feet, the area for youth will be open during regular library hours with partial closures to public use possible during scheduled events.
The project is estimated to cost $2.5 million with funding set to come from the city’s Capital Improvement Plan reserves ($2,350,000) and library donations ($150,000), according to the city website.
“It is my hope that with this space, combined with programming designed by our Youth Librarians, teens will no longer feel like they don’t have a place to go in Livermore,” assistant library services director Nathan Brumley told Livermore Vine in an email interview.
As a former Youth Services Librarian and the city’s current liaison to the Livermore Youth Council, Brumley said teens in Livermore are seeking a third space in the city where they are welcome to spend time and not required to spend money.
Select libraries in cities such as San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland and Redwood City already have dedicated teen zones, he noted.
“This project brings our own Library in line with many of our Bay Area Library neighbors and gives us tools to better support Livermore youth,” Brumley said.
The teen area in Livermore is set to feature a “more social space” at the front separated by a glass divider with “more of a workshop or programming area” in the back, he explained. The center can also be combined to create one room.
On May 13, project architects from Noll & Tam, a city of Livermore engineer and library staff discussed the project with 20 members of the community at the Civic Center Library.
“Reactions to the renderings on display were all positive, which tells us we’re on the right track,” Brumley said of the visitors, who were mostly teens.
The design is the result of work by Noll & Tam and library staff in coordination with teenagers from the Livermore Youth Council, he explained.
“This really has been a project where teens have driven the major decisions, and rightfully so – it’s going to be their space,” Brumley said.
Ahead of construction, books in the teen and graphic novel section are set to be relocated for continued access.
Library hours will not be impacted by construction, but visitors can expect additional noise during the earlier stages.
