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Editor: 

Thanks for the article last Friday about the closure of the library ("Library Switch-over"). It’s important that your readers know why the downtown library will be closed for five weeks. Similarly, it’s important that they realize this is not a "facelift," as your article suggested. Think instead "major new construction." Like an entirely new library office building…like a five-story library addition extending 100 feet to the west…like two new public levels…like earthquake retrofitting that involved sinking concrete piers deep into the ground. These are not mere cosmetic changes—which is why we’re calling it "New Central" not "Made-over Central." 

Diane Davenport 

Reference Services Manager 

Berkeley Public Library