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About Almaden Branch Library

The New Library/Community Center | History and Culture of Almaden Valley

The New Library/Community Center

View a Photo Slideshow of our Grand Opening by the San Jose Mercury News (Flash required)

The library is an integral part of the community and provides resources for not only the residents of the Almaden Valley but also surrounding neighborhoods.

The original Almaden Branch opened in 1971. Along with the adjacent Almaden Community Center, it closed in December 2003, reopening as San Jose's first large joint library and community center on May 13, 2006 and expanding the library to twice its former size.

Funded by two local bond measures, this remarkable facility combines a community center and public library in an existing city park setting. Key uses include the library; a large, divisible community room, that may be reserved through the Community Center; gymnasium and fitness center; child care center; and dedicated classroom/activity areas for all age groups. The library's program room is available to nonprofit groups during open hours. The two-story, 65,000-square-foot building was carefully sited to preserve mature trees, take advantage of solar orientation, and frame dramatic views to nearby hills and shared courtyard.

The Library portion of the massive complex has over 20,000 sq. ft. and includes many family-oriented services, large media and book collections and many language materials (especially Chinese, Persian and Vietnamese). Materials checked out from any San José Public Library branch may be returned to Almaden. The Almaden Branch Library seeks to serve its large and culturally diverse community with the literary services and educational resources designed to enhance the quality of life.

History and Culture of Almaden Valley

The Almaden Valley is a neighborhood of about 40,000 in the southern portion of San José. The valley takes its name after the historic New Almaden Mines of the California Gold Rush. The New Almaden Mines are named after the legendary mine in Almaden, Spain.

The wealth of this south bay community was historically based on the quicksilver mining industry. Quicksilver, or mercury, was extensively used during the California Gold Rush to facilitate gold extraction from various rock deposits. The rich history of this mining community is reflected in collections of local history titles and historic photographs on display in the library and community center.

All of the mines have since been abandoned and the surrounding lands been transformed into the popular Almaden Quicksilver County Park.

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