The Hayward Library & Community Learning Center opened in September to a crowd of eager patrons. The three-story, 58,000-square-foot building in the heart of downtown Hayward represents years of work on the part of City officials, library staff and the Friends of the Library, as well as the design and construction team. Principal in Charge Chris Noll said: “Key to the design is the central, sculptural atrium. It does so many things; it organizes interior spaces, it brings a tremendous amount of light into the building, it helps the building breathe spatially, and it becomes the signature element—it’s where everything happens.” The new library will operate as a Zero Net Energy facility, producing enough annual electricity through solar generation to offset its energy use. We are so excited to see the library welcoming so many enthusiastic visitors!