Oakland Public Library emails on the People's Library (8/13-8/23)

7/31/2019 Oakland Public Library emails on the People's Library (8/13-8/23)

1/18

29/12 RE Closed Miller Branch Library Occupied.htm

:///C:/Users/sjohnson/Downloads/library/RE C losed Miller Branch Library Occupied.htm

From: Schrader, Mary

Sent: Monday, August 13, 2012 1:57 PM

To: Garzon, Gerard (Gerry)

Subject: RE: Closed Miller Branch Library Occupied

Hi Gerry,

The last bill ing from Greg Miles was July 12 for $450.

Mary Schrader

Supervising Librarian for Branches

Oakland Public Library

125 14th St.

Oakland, CA 94612

[email protected]

510-238-3670

From: Garzon, Gerard (Gerry)

Sent: Monday, August 13, 2012 1:54 PMTo: Schrader, Mary


Mary get the last billings from the co. that keeps the area cleared so we know when they were there last.

Thanks. ggg

Gerry Garzon

Associate Director


510.238.6720

510.238.2232 (fax)

[email protected]

Oakland Public Library - Delight.Inspire . Inform.Oakland Ranked #5 Place to Visit in the World!

New York Times, January 2012 http://bit.ly/GB3s8f

From: Schrader, Mary


To: Garzon, Gerard (Gerry); Lopez, Jane


Hi Gerry,

Winifred just told me about this. What to do? I know there was a fence surrounding the entire property.

Mary Schrader

Supervising Librarian for Branches


125 14th St.

Oakland, CA 94612

[email protected]


2/18



510-238-3670



To: Schrader, Mary; Lopez, Jane

Subject: FW: Closed Miller Branch Library Occupied

Gerry Garzon

Associate Director


510.238.6720

510.238.2232 (fax)

[email protected]





To: Levin, Brooke A.; Carthan, Brian

Cc: Hamilton, Harry; Santana, Deanna; Johnson, Scott; Martinez, Carmen (Library Director)

Subject: Closed Miller Branch Library Occupied

Brooke, Brian one other article re the closed Miller Branch. I will be going over to see if PWA/OPD are in the

area. Thanks. ggg

From the Oakland Tribune:

http://www.mercurynews.com/occupy/ci_21301914/oakland-activists-take-over-abandoned-library-branch

Gerry Garzon

Associate Director


510.238.6720

510.238.2232 (fax)

[email protected]



OccupyWallStreet


3/18



The revolution continues worldwide!

Oakland Liberates Shuttered LibraryPosted 3 hours ago on Aug. 13, 2012, 12:54 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt

Tags: biblioteca popular, building occupations, library, oakland, social services

Open the doors, reclaim the commons. This was an abandoned library, now its a reclaimed one.

Where: 1449 Miller Ave, Oakland CA

More info:Biblioteca Popular Victor Martinez on Facebook | @bibliotecapopul, #peopleslibrary

The building unveiled today as the Victor Martinez Community Library was part of a Carnegie

Foundation endowment of four libraries given to the city of Oakland between 1916 and 1918.

Oaklands librarian at the time, Charles S. Greene, believed that the citys people would benefit

most from libraries placed within their communities.

Despite this vision, the building was one of seven branch casualties of budget cuts in the late

seventies, severing vital library life-lines in poor and working communities. Since then, the Latin

American Branch library building located at the corner of Miller and 15th st. has mostly sat empty,

despite the fact that the next nearest library is miles away, and increasingly difficult to access in a

city like Oakland with an increasingly expensive transit system. With its eroding chain link fence

and decaying, armored exterior, the building is much more than an eyesore; the unused, but

inaccessible, space creates a life-draining dark vacuum of stability that serves at best as a

convenient place for the unscrupulous to dump their old mattresses, couches and assorted

garbage.

This morning, a group of activists opened this building again for use as a library. Inside is the

modest seed for a library and community centerhundreds of books donated by people who

envision the rebirth of local, community-owned libraries and social and political centers throughout


4/18



Oakland. Weve named the building after recently deceased author, Victor Martinez, who

overcame a young life of hard agricultural work to become a successful writer in the Bay Area. His

semi-autobiographical novel, Parrot in the Oven, has become a seminal work of the Latino

experience. Martinez died last year at 56 of an illness caused by his work in the fields.

If you live in this community, we only ask that you think about how you can use this building. Name it

anything you like. Purpose it to any goal that benefits the communitylibrary, social or political

neighborhood center. All we ask is that you consider keeping it out of the hands of a city which will

only seal the fence and doors again, turning the space back into an aggregator of the citys trash

and a dark hole in the middle of an embattled community. The doors here are open. And there are

many others simply waiting to be.

Update: Occupy Oakland announces a community potluck at 6pm local time and poetry/spoken

word reading at 7pm at the Library tonight!


5/18e:///C:/Users/sjohnson/Downloads/library/Re Miller branch--news item.htm

Oakland: Activists take over abandoned library branchBy Kathleen Kirkwood, Oakland Tribunemercurynews.com

Posted: 08/13/2012 10:49:48 AM PDT

August 13, 2012 7:26 PM GMTUpdated: 08/13/2012 12:26:32 PM PDT

OAKLAND -- Activists took over an abandoned library branch Monday morning in East Oakland, where they said squatters and illegal dumping have turned the

property into a useless eyesore.

The former city library, at 1449 Miller Ave., was abandoned in the '70s and has sat mostly unused, said Jaime Silva, one of 10 people at the site Monday. They were

cleaning up with mop buckets and stocking empty shelves with books.

"I think everyone in the community is psyched this will no longer be a dumping ground," said Silva, 43, who is a translator. A few people had already stopped by to

check out books, he said.

A banner was hung in front of the entrance, dubbing the site "Victor Martinez People's Library," named for the late Latino author.

Silva didn't say how the group gained access to the site Monday, only saying that they were told it was unlocked and arrived there at 7 a.m.It wasn't immediately known whether the city owns the property or another agency.

The goal is for the building to be used for a community purpose, such as a library or community center, said Silva. An area in the back could be used for a garden, he

said.

"All we ask is that you consider keeping it out of the hands of a city which will only seal the fence and doors again, turning the space back into an aggregator of the city's

trash and a dark hole in the middle of the community," according to the group's news release, aimed at residents of the surrounding Fruitvale and the 23rd Avenue

commercial district neighborhoods.

The building was completed in 1918, one of four library branches funded with a Carnegie grant.

Copyright 2012 San Jose Mercury News. All rights reserved.

ReprintPrintEmailFont ResizeReturn to

Top

FAQ: Article commenting how-tos and tips

From: Levin, Brooke A.


To: Garzon, Gerard (Gerry)

Cc: Ryugo, Jim; Johnson, Scott; Martinez, Carmen (Library Director); Boyd, Karen

Subject: Re: Miller branch--news item

Yes, OPD is handling.

Brooke A. Levin

Assistant Director Public Works

Sent from my iPhone

Please excuse spelling, grammar and brevity

On Aug 13, 2012, at 1:29 PM, "Garzon, Gerard $Gerry$" wrote:

Brooke, Jim Not sure whether youve seen this already. Let me know if you need anything from us on it. Thanks. ggg

Gerry Garzon

Associate Director


510.238.6720

510.238.2232 (fax)

[email protected]

Oakland Public Library - Delight.Inspire. Inform.Oakland Ranked #5 Place to Visit in the World!

New York Times, January 2012 http ://bit.ly/GB3s8f

From: Walters, Winifred


To: Garzon, Gerard (Gerry); Tom, Gene; Turbak, Jamie

Subject: Miller branch--news item

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-

ab&q=Oakland:+activists+take+over+abandoned+library+branch&oq=Oakland:+activists+take+over+abandoned+library+branch&gs_l=hp.3...1232.9781.0.9937.53.47.0.4.4.

izo4zqGB1g&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=6aeccf197c29238b&biw=1280&bih=822

Inside Bay Area and other sites.

Gerry said he will look into this: Activists take over abandoned library branch.

Winifred Walters

Manager, Grants and Development


125 14th St., Oakland, CA 9 4612


6/18e:///C:/Users/sjohnson/Downloads/library/Re Miller branch--news item.htm

(510) 238-6932 FAX (510) 238-3295

[email protected]

www.oaklandlibrary.org www.fopl.orgDelight.Inspire. Inform.


7/18e:///C:/Users/sjohnson/Downloads/library/Fwd Mil ler branch--news item.htm

Oakland: Activists take over abandoned library branchBy Kathleen Kirkwood, Oakland Tribune

mercurynews.com

Posted: 08/13/2012 10:49:48 AM PDT

August 13, 2012 7:26 PM GMTUpdated: 08/13/2012 12:26:32 PM PDT

OAKLAND -- Activists took over an abandoned library branch Monday morning in East Oakland, where they said squatters and illegal dumping have

turned the property into a useless eyesore.

The former city library, at 1449 Miller Ave., was abandoned in the '70s and has sat mostly unused, said Jaime Silva, one of 10 people at the site Monday.

They were cleaning up with mop buckets and stocking empty shelves with books.

"I think everyone in the community is psyched this will no longer be a dumping ground," said Silva, 43, who is a translator. A few people had already

stopped by to check out books, he said.

A banner was hung in front of the entrance, dubbing the site "Victor Martinez People's Library," named for the late Latino author.

Silva didn't say how the group gained access to the site Monday, only saying that they were told it was unlocked and arrived there at 7 a.m.

It wasn't immediately known whether the city owns the property or another agency.

The goal is for the building to be used for a community purpose, such as a library or community center, said Silva. An area in the back could be used for a

garden, he said.

"All we ask is that you consider keeping it out of the hands of a city which will only seal the fence and doors again, turning the space back into anaggregator of the city's trash and a dark hole in the middle of the community," according to the group's news release, aimed at residents of the surrounding

Fruitvale and the 23rd Avenue commercial district neighborhoods.

The building was completed in 1918, one of four library branches funded with a Carnegie grant.

Copyright 2012 San Jose Mercury News. All rights reserved.

ReprintPrintEmailFont

ResizeReturn to Top

FAQ: Article commenting how-tos and tips



To: Tom, Gene; Turbak, Jamie; Walters, Winif red; Martinez, Carmen (Library Director)

Subject: Fwd: Miller branch--news item

Just went inside. Talked briefly with Jaime Silva quoted below and just told him to make sure they're safe and that the kids around stay safe in the building. No comment to any

of the press. ggg

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Levin, Brooke A."

Date: August 13, 2012 2:15:40 PM PDTTo: "Garzon, Gerard $Gerry$"

Cc: "Ryugo, Jim" , "Johnson, Scott" , "Martinez, Carmen $Library Director$"

, "Boyd, Karen"

Subject:Re: Miller branch--news item

Yes, OPD is handling.

Brooke A. Levin

Assistant Director Public Works

Sent from my iPhone

Please excuse spelling, grammar and brevity

On Aug 13, 2012, at 1:29 PM, "Garzon, Gerard $Gerry$" wrote:

Brooke, Jim Not sure whether youve seen this already. Let me know if you need anything from us on it. Thanks. ggg

Gerry Garzon

Associate Director


510.238.6720

510.238.2232 (fax)

[email protected]

Oakland Public Library - Delight.Inspire. Inform.Oakland Ranked #5 Place to Visit in the World!

New York Times, January 2012 ht tp://b it.ly/GB3s8f



To: Garzon, Gerard (Gerry); Tom, Gene; Turbak, Jamie

Subject: Miller branch--news item


8/18e:///C:/Users/sjohnson/Downloads/library/Fwd Mil ler branch--news item.htm

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-

ab&q=Oakland:+activists+take+over+abandoned+library+branch&oq=Oakland:+activists+take+over+abandoned+library+branch&gs_l=hp.3...1232.9781.0.9937.53.47

izo4zqGB1g&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=6aeccf197c29238b&biw=1280&bih=822

Inside Bay Area and other sites.

Gerry said he will look into this: Activists take over abandoned library branch.

Winifred Walters

Manager, Grants and Development

Oakland Pub lic Library

125 14th St., Oakland, CA 94612

(510) 238-6932 FAX (510) [email protected]

www.oaklandlibrary.org www.fopl.orgDelight.Inspire. Inform.


9/18

29/12 FW Miller Branch ABC 7%3B MercuryNews.com Daily Kos.htm

Users/ sjohnson/Downloads/library/FW Miller Branch ABC 7%3B MercuryNews.com Daily Kos.htm


Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2012 9:40 AM

To: Martinez, Carmen (Library Director); Turbak, Jamie; Garzon, Gerard (Gerry)

Subject: FW: Miller Branch: ABC 7; MercuryNews.com, Daily KosFYI, some of the coverage from late yesterday, and this mornings article saying that police told everyone to

leave last night.

http://www.mercurynews.com/occupy/ci_21309238/oakland-police-shut-down-peoples-library-installed-

vacant

From: Winifred Walters [mailto:[email protected]]


To: Walters, Winifred

Subject: Fw: Miller Branch: ABC 7; MercuryNews.com, Daily Koshttp://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/08/13/1119809/--It-s-Supposed-to-Be-a-Library-Not-a-Dumpvideo

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/video?id=8772569&pid=8772613story

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/east_bay&id=8772613photos

http://photos.mercurynews.com/2012/08/13/activists-create-a-peoples-library/#name%20here


10/18

29/12 RE miller avenue library question2.htm

:///C:/Users/sjohnson/Downloads/library/RE miller avenue library question2.htm


Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2012 12:38 PM

To: Levin, Brooke A.; Neary, Mike; Soo Hoo, Lily; Louie, Denise

Cc: Lau, David W; Ryugo, Jim

Subject: RE: miller avenue library question

Folks we have a fact sheet that Ill send on to all re Miller. It also mentions a 1995 seismicity study done by

Noll & Tam to determine the range of structural improvements and costs based on code at the time for

unreinforced masonry. This may have been done as part of Measure I reviews? I dont have a copy of that

study but if necessary, we might be able to get from N&T if PWA doesnt have in it fi les.

Miller is a total of 8,660 sq ft. ggg

Gerry Garzon

Associate Director


510.238.6720

510.238.2232 (fax)

[email protected]



From: Levin, Brooke A.


To: Neary, Mike; Soo Hoo, Lily; Louie, Denise

Cc: Lau, David W; Garzon, Gerard (Gerry); Ryugo, Jim


I have some information on the building I will send.

From: Neary, Mike


To: Soo Hoo, Lily; Louie, Denise

Cc: Lau, David W; Garzon, Gerard (Gerry); Ryugo, Jim; Levin, Brooke A.


I would check with Gerry and Jim Ryugo. Ive copied them here.

Michael Neary, P.E.Assistant Director

Depa rtment of Engine ering & Construction

City of Oakl and | Publi c Works Agency | APWA Accredi ted Agency

This e-mail message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged

information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended

recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message and any

attachments.

From: Soo Hoo, Lily


11/18


12/18



Cc: Louie, Denise


Mike,

The next set of priorities per Gerry Garzon that weve been told are three libraries for upgrade at

Montclair, Dimond, and Lakeview (?). Miller Ave. Lib. has not been mentioned. However, Library is

also facing some funding challenges and may be adjusting their priorities accordingly.

In general, Librarys capital program have not been conveyed to us in a structured manner. Denise

and I both have suggested to Gerry that it would be worthwhile to have a discussion on Library

projects with the management so that we understand their priorities or help plan the CIP projects.

Thank you.

Lily Soo Hoo

Project Delivery Division

PWA - DE&C

From: Neary, Mike

Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2012 8:50 AM

To: Soo Hoo, Lily; Lau, David W

Subject: FW: miller avenue library question

Are either of you aware of any desire or need for upgrades at this facility?

Michael Neary, P.E.

Assistant Director

Depa rtment of Engin eering & Construction

City of Oakl an d | Publi c Works Agency | APWA Accredi ted Agency

This e-mail message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and

privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the

intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message

and any attachments.

From: Chan, Ada

Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2012 4:58 PM

To: Neary, Mike

Subject: miller avenue library question

Hi Mike -

Do we have an internal estimate of what it would take to get the Miller Avenue library functional/up

to code?

As we get calls Id like to be able to get people real about what it would take to get this historic

building up to code .

Without wasting real estates time touring every random call.


13/18



Ada

Ada Chan, Policy Analyst for

Oakland City Council Member Rebecca Kaplan

1 Frank Ogawa Plaza

Oakland, California 94612

Phone: (510) 238-7083

Cell: (510) 757-5646


14/18

29/12 FW miller avenue library question.htm

:///C:/Users/sjohnson/Downloads/library/FW miller avenue library question.htm



To: Louie, Denise

Subject: FW: miller avenue library question

Gerry Garzon

Associate Director


510.238.6720

510.238.2232 (fax)

[email protected]



From: Chan, AdaSent: Wednesday, August 22, 2012 3:36 PM

To: Neary, Mike

Cc: Garzon, Gerard (Gerry); Soo Hoo, Lily; Lau, David W; Troyan, Vitaly; Levin, Brooke A.


Thats a plenty good estimate

Want to have a number to give those that ask to buy the building so as not to waste staff time providing

info.

Thanks !

ada

From: Neary, Mike


To: Chan, Ada

Cc: Garzon, Gerard (Gerry); Soo Hoo, Lily; Lau, David W; Troyan, Vitaly; Levin, Brooke A.


Ada, the only detailed information we have for this building is a very old proposal (from 1995) from our

previous Architectural Services Division for $2.3 mill ion. I dont know all the assumptions that went into that

estimate, but this is an historic, unreinforced masonry building that needs significant upgrades to meetcurrent life safety and accessibility code.

We believe a planning level estimate of at least $700 per square foot should be used for this type of work. At

8660 square feet, that would put the rough cost to upgrade this building at $6 million.

This is not on any current capital improvement list.

Let me know if this answers your question.

Michael Neary, P.E.


15/18

29/12 FW miller avenue library question.htm

:///C:/Users/sjohnson/Downloads/library/FW miller avenue library question.htm

Assistant Director

Depa rtment of Engine ering & Construction

City of Oakl and | Publi c Works Agency | APWA Accredi ted Agency

This e-mail message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged

information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended

recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message and any

attachments.

From: Chan, Ada

Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2012 4:58 PM

To: Neary, Mike


Hi Mike -

Do we have an internal estimate of what it would take to get the Miller Avenue l ibrary functional/up to code?

As we get calls Id l ike to be able to get people real about what it would take to get this historic building up to

code .


Ada



1 Frank Ogawa Plaza


Phone: (510) 238-7083

Cell: (510) 757-5646


16/18

29/12 RE miller avenue library question.htm

e:///C:/Users/sjohnson/Downloads/library/RE miller avenue library question.htm

From: Neary, Mike

Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2012 12:39 PM

To: Ryugo, Jim; Levin, Brooke A.; Soo Hoo, Lily; Louie, Denise

Cc: Lau, David W; Garzon, Gerard (Gerry)

Subject: RE: mil ler avenue library question

Thanks. Ill stick, for now, with the 8660, since thats from the architectural proposal we have from the 1990s.

Michael N eary, P.E.Assistant Di rector

Department of Engineering & Construction

City of Oakland | Public Works Agency | APWA Accredited Agency

This e-mail message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure o

distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message and any

attachments.

From: Ryugo, Jim

Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2012 12:20 PM

To: Levin, Brooke A.; Neary, Mike; Soo Hoo, Lily; Louie, Denise

Cc: Lau, David W; Garzon, Gerard (Gerry)Subject: RE: miller avenue library question

Dear Mike,

Our records indicate the total building area is 6,200 sq. ft.


17/18


e:///C:/Users/sjohnson/Downloads/library/RE miller avenue library question.htm

Jim RyugoBuilding Services Manager

Department of Facilities & Environment


7101 Edgewater Dr, Bldg 2 | Oakla nd, CA 94621

(510) 615-5987 | (510) 615-5449 Fax

jryugo@ oa kl an dn et.comReport A Problem | Public Works Agency Call Center | (510) 615-5566

www.oaklandpw.com | [email protected] | Mobile app: SeeClickFixFrom: Levin, Brooke A.

Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2012 12:22 PMTo: Neary, Mike; Soo Hoo, Lily; Louie, Denise

Cc: Lau, David W; Garzon, Gerard (Gerry); Ryugo, JimSubject: RE: miller avenue library question

I have some information on the building I will send.

From: Neary, Mike


To: Soo Hoo, Lily; Louie, DeniseCc: Lau, David W; Garzon, Gerard (Gerry); Ryugo, Jim; Levin, Brooke A.


I would check with Gerry and Jim Ryugo. Ive copied them here.

Michael N eary, P.E.

Assistant Di rectorDepartment of Engineering & Construction




attachments.

From: Soo Hoo, Lily

Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2012 12:13 PMTo: Neary, Mike; Louie, Denise

Cc: Lau, David W


Mike:

If we can get the bldg. size information, we can give a general cost per square foot estimate. With whom should we check for the information? Gerry

Garzon?

Lily Soo Hoo

Project Delivery Division

PWA - DE&C

From: Neary, Mike

Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2012 11:54 AMTo: Louie, Denise

Cc: Soo Hoo, Lily


Given the original question, could we do a square foot based estimate of a complete renovation here?

Michael N eary, P.E.

Assistant Di rector





attachments.

From: Louie, Denise

Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2012 11:41 AMTo: Soo Hoo, Lily; Neary, Mike; Lau, David W



18/18


See below links containing info recently where Occupy movement took over building and just as recently as last night/this morning had activity surrounding it. Im

guessing it would require a MAJOR renovation since it has been closed for many years (one article lists decades).

https://incorporealcommittee.wordpress.com/2012/08/21/oakland-liberates-shuttered-library/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/15/oakland-peoples-library_n_1783366.html

-----Original Message-----From: Soo Hoo, Lily


To: Neary, Mike; Lau, David WCc: Louie, Denise


Mike,

The next set of priorities per Gerry Garzon that weve been told are three l ibraries for upgrade at Montclair, Dimond, and Lakeview (?). Miller Ave.

Lib. has not been mentioned. However, Library is also facing some funding challenges and may be adjusting their priorities accordingly.

In general, Librarys capital program have not been conveyed to us in a structured manner. Denise and I both have suggested to Gerry that it would

be worthwhile to have a discussion on Library projects with the management so that we understand their priorities or help plan the CIP projects.

Thank you.

Lily Soo HooProject Delivery Division

PWA - DE&C

From: Neary, Mike


To: Soo Hoo, Lily; Lau, David WSubject: FW: miller avenue library question

Are either of you aware of any desire or need for upgrades at this facility?

Michael N eary, P.E.Assistant Di rector



This e-mail message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use,

disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original

message and any attachments.

From: Chan, AdaSent: Tuesday, August 21, 2012 4:58 PM

To: Neary, Mike


Hi Mike -

Do we have an internal estimate of what it would take to get the Miller Avenue library functional/up to code?

As we get calls Id like to be able to get people real about what it would take to get this historic building up to code .


Ada



1 Frank Ogawa Plaza


Phone: (510) 238-7083

Cell: (510) 757-5646

Oakland Public Library emails on the People's Library (8/13-8/23)

Documents