Burlingame Public Library

The Burlingame Library was originally built in the 1920s. The library became the most popular building in town after the historic city hall was demolished and replaced by a modern edifice. When the library needed to expand residents were concerned that the southern Mediterranean character of the old place would be lost. Since the library needed to expand to twice its original size the residents had good reason to be skeptical. The City Librarian, Al Escoffier, should be credited for the success of the new library. His diligence, vision and good taste influenced every aspect of the library’s design.

The new building’s designer, Robin Chiang, recast the 40,000 library as a grander, fanciful extension of the eclectic original, working closely with the City Librarian to blend function with ambience within an old fashioned looking building.