Around Town Around Town (June 01, 2005)

NO LIBRARY PLAN THIS YEAR ... If you're waiting for a report from the Palo Alto Library Advisory Commission about its master plan for upgrading the city's libraries, keep waiting. The commission isn't planning to present its new proposal to the City Council and the public until March 2006. The commission, however, hopes to ask the City Council this summer to fund a survey to ask residents and other groups for input into options for the city's future library service. If you'll remember, last December the council asked the commission to study the city's libraries and come up with a new master plan. That request came as the council denied Library Director Paula Simpson's controversial proposal to close two of the five city libraries and build a new "full-service library." Don't expect the commission's proposal to include recommending closing libraries. "Nobody on the commission would support any branch closures at this point," Commission Chair Sandra Hirsh said. Since last December, the commission has been creating a "matrix" of possible options for the city's library system. At last week's meeting, the commission also approved a new vision statement for its quest: "The City of Palo Alto desires to implement an enhanced library service model that delivers superior library service throughout Palo Alto. The new library service model consists of a full-service library supporting distributed library services at locations throughout Palo Alto at locations including, but not limited to, existing library branch locations."

@newitme:ONE-DAY LIBRARY CLOSURE ... Speaking of Palo Alto's libraries, all five will be closed on Friday, June 3, so the staff can attend a one-day training session. The online services, such as the catalog and reference questions, will still be available and overdue library books can still be returned. For more information, visit the library's Web site www.cityofpaloalto.org/library.

STANFORD STADIUM PLANS GOING FORWARD... There could be fewer seats at Stanford Stadium in coming years. Next Monday, the Stanford University Board of Trustees will review a plan to renovate the university's football stadium, reducing the seats from 85,000 to 55,000. However, the stadium would still grow by more than 30,000 square feet. New restrooms and a new press box will be constructed. The $55 million to $65 million projection would begin after next season's final home game, on Nov. 26, according to the university. The team would reportedly play the following season in either San Jose State University's football field or SBC Park.

HERE COMES THE CHOPPER! ... Avoid hanging out near Palo Alto's City Hall early Saturday morning, June 4. Around 7 a.m., a helicopter will land on the roof at 250 Hamilton Ave. to deliver equipment for the elevator's air conditioner. According to a press release, "residents are advised to avoid the area for safety reasons." The delivery is expected to last 30 minutes.

A SONG (SPARROW) FOR YOU ... Drivers coming to the Palo Alto Baylands have been making a new friend, a song sparrow that has been hopping on cars at they park. "He's gotten to be quite popular," City Naturalist Deborah Bartens said. Nature photographers have especially enjoyed him, since he comes right up to the window, ready for his close-up.

RIDING FOR A CURE ... Palo Alto Fire Chief Nick Marinaro and Councilwoman Yoriko Kishimoto will both be bicycling the 100-mile "Team in Training" bicycle ride in Lake Tahoe this Saturday, June 5. Donations support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

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