The current Atascadero Library was completed in 1988.  In 1989, because the new 7500 square foot library was already too small for the growing community, Friends of the Atascadero Martin-Polin Library began to raise funds for expansion.  Over the next decade the county purchased adjacent property in anticipation of this expansion. 

For the past four years, with the guidance and support of Supervisor Jim Patterson, County Library staff and General Services, Friends of the Atascadero Library has investigated several options for expansion. These options have included: leasing buildings owned by the City of Atascadero, purchasing other property, and expanding on the current site.  Due to a deed restriction on its property and other factors, the current site was selected for further study.

The creation of this capital project will allow the county to hire a consultant to identify site constraints, including parking, environmental and planning requirements, easements, hazardous material conditions, site restraints based on street access, topography, and ADA requirements.  The focus of this initial analysis, which is estimated to take three or four months, is to determine the extent of allowable space for expansion on the current site—with the hope of doubling the parking and building areas.  Additional phases are anticipated to further develop programming and design concepts.  The architectural division of the county General Services Agency will manage this project.

This new project will begin the first phase of the Atascadero Library’s expansion.  Expanding this site will allow the library to better serve the growing City of Atascadero and nearby communities.    


Submitted by Eileen O'Grady 

Vice-President of FOL