Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

  • The LibraryUP campaign initiative is being led by the Friends of the Truckee Library.

  • We are aiming to break ground in 2027. Construction is expected to be 1-2 years, depending on the weather during construction.

  • Through a 2014 assessment led by Kathryn Page Associates, it was stated that a 20,000 square foot library is necessary to meet the standards of modern libraries today. Some of our sister mountain resort towns with smaller populations have spaces 4-5 times the size as our current library! Imagine what a 20,000 square foot space could provide the innovative, engaged community that is Truckee-Tahoe!

  • View the site map here!

  • The flat roof design for the new Truckee Regional Library is intentional and well-suited to our region’s unique climate. Our architecture team, led by local firm JKAE, has extensive experience designing buildings for Truckee’s extremely high snow loads.

    Reasons for a flat roof:

    • Designed to hold snow safely: The roof and structural framing have been engineered to support heavy snow loads, even in above-average snow years.

    • Energy efficiency: Allowing snow to accumulate on the roof helps with natural insulation, improving the building’s energy performance and sustainability.

    • Safety first: Unlike sloped roofs that can shed snow and create dangerous conditions below, a flat roof prevents snow from sliding off, keeping walkways safe. This is especially important for a public building frequently used by children and families.

    • Minimizes site impact: Holding snow on the roof reduces the need to store plowed snow in the parking lot or elsewhere on the property, preserving valuable space and limiting operational disruption.

    • Operational efficiency: Snow held on the roof generally requires less maintenance than ground storage and removal, keeping the site more accessible during winter.

    While it’s possible that in exceptionally heavy snow years, snow removal from the roof may be needed, the design accounts for more than standard snow levels, and such maintenance should be rare.

    This thoughtful design reflects our commitment to safety, sustainability, and smart planning for our mountain environment.

  • The new Truckee Regional Library will be funded through a combination of sources. Friends of the Truckee Library is leading a capital campaign to raise private philanthropic contributions, engaging individuals, families, and local businesses who believe in investing in our community’s future.

    In addition, the Truckee Library Joint Powers Authority (JPA) is expected to place a bond measure on the November 2025 ballot, which would fund a portion of the library’s construction costs. Information on the bond measure can be found here: votetruckeelibrary.com

    We also anticipate support from foundations, government agencies, and competitive grant programs. Together, this blend of public, private, and philanthropic funding will help bring this much-needed community space to life.

  • Following the completion of schematic designs, a cost analysis conducted by our architectural team in 2025 estimated the total cost to build the new Truckee Regional Library at approximately $33 million.

    This estimate reflects the cost of constructing a modern, flexible facility designed to meet our community’s current and future needs: including expanded library services, community meeting spaces, and emergency preparedness features.

  • We serve over 15,000 library card holders, 100,000 patrons per year and welcome an average of 200 visits per day. Visitor-ship numbers are increasing every year.

  • The Truckee Library is bursting at the seams and the lack of space is limiting what we can offer our community every single day.

    Our current building has a maximum capacity of just 54 people, yet we welcome over 200 visitors daily and serve more than 15,000 library cardholders in a growing community of over 20,000. We’ve outgrown this space many times over, and it’s affecting core library services in critical ways:

    • The children’s area reaches full capacity during popular story times, parents have chosen to not bring their kids to story time anymore because of the crowding. 

    • There’s only one table with four chairs dedicated to teens, leaving little to no space for studying, reading, or social connection.

    • The library has no quiet areas to read, study, or work; all activities must happen in the same shared, noisy space.

    • We’ve run out of storage for non-book materials like craft supplies, educational kits, and event equipment—limiting the kinds of programs we can offer.

    • There simply isn’t enough seating or work surfaces to meet the community’s everyday needs.

    This lack of space restricts access, discourages use, and keeps us from delivering the full range of services that modern libraries provide. We need a new, purpose-built facility that reflects Truckee’s vibrant, growing population and our shared commitment to literacy, connection, creativity, and community resilience.

  • The new Truckee Regional Library is being purposefully designed to serve as the Town of Truckee’s Emergency Resource Center, a critical function our community currently lacks.

    The building will include permanent backup power capable of supporting electricity and HVAC systems during power outages, public safety shutoffs, and natural disasters. This means the library can provide:

    • Reliable access to power for charging devices and staying connected

    • A warm space in winter and a cool refuge during summer heatwaves

    • A safe, ADA-accessible facility for all community members

    Currently, Truckee does not have any public building that offers 24/7 backup power and ADA accessibility in emergency situations. This new library will help fill that gap, serving not only as a place to gather, learn, and connect every day, but also as a lifeline during times of crisis.

  • JPA stands for Joint Powers Agreement—a legal entity formed when two or more government agencies collaborate to jointly plan, fund, and manage a public project or service.

    The Truckee Library JPA is a partnership between Nevada County, the Town of Truckee, and Placer County, created specifically to construct and maintain the new Truckee Regional Library.

    Why is the JPA necessary?

    Forming the JPA gives these agencies the legal structure and authority to:

    • Place a bond measure on the November 2025 ballot

    • Oversee the design, construction, and long-term maintenance of the new library

    • Share funding responsibilities and decision-making as equal partners

    While the Friends of the Truckee Library (FOTL) is not a formal member of the JPA, the organization partners closely with the JPA through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and plays a critical role in advocacy, fundraising, and community engagement.

  • The new Truckee Regional Library is being designed to serve a broad, multi-county community, including residents of both Nevada County and Placer County, from Donner Summit through Truckee, Martis Valley, and Northstar.

    While the library will continue to be operated by the Nevada County Library System, the inclusion of Placer County in the Truckee Library Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) reflects a shared commitment to building and funding a facility that meets the needs of our entire regional community.

    As part of this partnership, the JPA members have agreed to ongoing discussions about how to expand and improve regional library services. These plans are still in the early stages, and more details will be developed and shared as the library project progresses.

    The “regional” designation represents not just geography; it symbolizes a collaborative vision to create a library that serves the real-world ways our communities live, work, and connect across county lines.

  • Libraries today are so much more than shelves of books—they are essential public spaces that support learning, connection, creativity, and resilience for the entire community.

    The new Truckee Regional Library is being thoughtfully designed to meet the evolving needs of our region. In addition to expanding core library services, this new facility will serve as:

    - An emergency resource center, offering reliable power, HVAC clean air, and internet access during wildfires, storms, and other crises

    - A multi-purpose community meeting room for public use—supporting everything from business and nonprofit gatherings to arts, culture, classes, and social events

    - A flexible space for year-round community programming, lectures, workshops, youth activities, and more

    While it’s true that many resources are now online, the need for in-person library services remains strong—especially for families. In fact, 75% of all checkouts at the current Truckee Library are hard copy children’s books. Research shows that reading physical books supports early literacy, comprehension, and lifelong learning in ways that digital formats often can’t.

    Beyond books, libraries provide:

    • Free internet and computer access

    • Homework help, tutoring, and youth programs

    • Job search and career support

    • Language learning and literacy resources

    • Maker-spaces, technology access, and creative tools

    • A warm, safe, welcoming space for everyone—no purchase required