After months of renovation, the Hayward Public Library’s Weekes Branch in South Hayward is ready to welcome the community back. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place Saturday, Aug. 16, from 3 to 5pm, kicking off an afternoon of festivities.
The upgrades were designed to breathe new life into the decades-old facility while working within a modest budget. Inside, visitors will notice fresh paint, new carpeting, updated furniture and shelving, and modernized technology in the Community Meeting Room, including a large display screen and advanced AV setup. Outside, improvements such as fencing, landscaping and safety features help create a more inviting and secure space.
City officials say two new features are likely to become community favorites: an art gallery developed in partnership with the Hayward Arts Council and Hayward Unified School District, which will showcase rotating exhibits from local artists, and a Friends of the Hayward Public Library bookstore, offering gently used books to help fund library programs.
Funding for the project came from a mix of sources, including Community Development Block Grants, Hayward Promise Neighborhoods, the Friends of the Hayward Library, and the Donna L. & Edward E. Martins Foundation.
The reopening celebration will feature live performances, donor acknowledgments and guided tours of the refreshed library. Doors officially reopen for regular hours on Monday, Aug. 18, at 10am.
