The public grand opening of the brand-new Pleasant Hill Library is set for 10 a.m. July 30.

The $24 million project at 2 Monticello Ave. sits on five acres that was donated by Contra Costa County. Construction was paid for by public funds approved by voters in 2016 via Measure K.

There will be opening remarks, followed by the big ribbon cutting at 10:30. Then the public can see what city officials have been bragging about.

Visitors will be able to tour the new state-of-the-art facility, check out demonstrations of the amenities, and enjoy light refreshments, crafts and music.

Due to fire and COVID safety standards, the number of people allowed inside at any one time will be limited. The parking lot will be closed during the grand opening event. Information on parking accommodations for the event will be posted to the city’s website.

After the festivities, the library will remain open to the public until its normal closing time of 5 p.m., then will resume its normal weekly schedule moving forward.

Construction work continues at the site of the new Pleasant Hill Library in this image from video taken June 30, 2022. Crews are putting finishing touches on the library ahead of its July 30 grand opening. Viewers can track the project’s progress via a livecam on the city’s website. (Image courtesy of city of Pleasant Hill)

The 25,000 square feet of library will have an activity yard for children with play sculptures and a magnetic play wall, a “messy maker” space designed to keep sound in and a retreat room to keep sound out.

There will be an early literacy area for youngsters and parents, a Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library store, study rooms and an outdoor hangout area for kids.

Next to Pleasant Hill Middle School, the new library will have a tech zone space with a kiosk for checking out laptops and a dedicated area for printing. The east side of the building will feature big windows with views of Grayson Creek and a path near the Contra Costa Canal Trail.

The library’s power comes from state-of-the-art Tesla solar panels as a Net Zero Energy building, meaning it won’t produce more greenhouse gases than it takes from the environment.

Hundreds of feet of piping for hot and cool water run under the main floor to help regulate indoor temperature, and skylights overhead can stay open on hot summer nights to make sure the place isn’t too stuffy the next morning.

More information on the Pleasant Hill Library project can be found online.