Features

The temporary Berkeley Public Library at 2121 Allston Way will be closing for good this evening, as library staffers begin to move back into  

the newly renovated and expanded central library on nearby Kittredge Street. 

The Allston Way location has served as home to library employees and collections during the three-year renovation of the city's main library, which will remain closed for five more weeks while materials are set up. 

The city of Berkeley will hold a celebration on April 6 to show off the facelift. 

The renovated library includes double the floor space from its previous incarnation.  

Patrons will see entire levels for the “Art and Music” section, as well as for the “Children’s Services” section. There will also be a so-called “Popular Library,” and a new Berkeley history room. 

If placed end-to-end, the library's shelves would spread out seven miles, and library officials say those shelves will be stocked with books, videos, CDs, cassettes and DVDs. 

Much of the original furniture at the 1931 building has also been restored. 

Other Berkeley Library branches will be open for regular business while the downtown library remains closed.