Pictures at a Library Gala

The big party in town Saturday night was Our Star is Born, a gala event to celebrate the opening of Walnut Creek's new downtown library.  

Some 260 people attended--a who's who of the Walnut Creek social and business scene. They browsed through the shelves and the works of paintings and sculpture by locals and professionals. Those attending were donors, supporters and their families, as well as city council members, past and present, and city staff. Center Repertory Company Michael Butler emceed the event, proclaiming the library to be the new jewel in Walnut Creek's crown.

Mayor Sue Rainey praised the fact that the 42,000-square foot building came in under budget at $39.9 million and on time. She also gave props to the Walnut Creek Library Foundation, which met a city challenge to raise more than $5 million to help ensure the project would be finished. Ed Del Beccaro acknowledged some of the major sponsors, including the Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation, which donated $1 million to the project.  

The crowd marveled at the "crossroads" design--two building wings crossing in the center lobby to represent Walnut Creek's history as the crossroads of Contra Costa County. They also talked about how well integrated the library is into the surrounding natural landscape. The library moreover joins the Bedford Gallery as the place Walnut Creek to see public displays of beautiful contemporary and traditional works of art. The crowds also sat at the library's some 90 computer stations and toured the special kids and teen areas, the business center (with a balcony looking out over the tops of trees) and the other comfortable spaces where people can sit, work, study or relax.