Expect 'Big Surprise' at New Los Gatos Library Grand Opening Saturday

Make sure you don't miss

If you sleep in or go elsewhere this Feb. 11, you'll be really, really sorry, ceremony organizers say.

"I can't emphasize enough how important it is for everyone to be there at 10 o'clock for the opening program," said Los Gatos Councilwoman Diane McNutt.

This library unveiling is not going to be your typical grand opening of boring speeches and ribbon cutting, she said. "We've got something really special planned that we won't reveal until the day of," McNutt said. "It's something that will really make a memory."

What is it? What will make this grand opening different than others?

"It's a secret," McNutt said. "It's something unique. To really experience the significance of the joy of the day, they should try and be there."

Los Gatos Assistant Town Manager Pamela Jacobs, the lead town official on the Los Gatos Library project, said Monday evening that the ceremony would include "some not-to-be missed" surprises.

Los Gatos Vice Mayor Barbara Spector said the new library will stimulate patrons' intellect and imagination and will creatively serve children, parents and seniors. She added the new $18.4 million, two-story, 30,000-square-foot building was built on time and on budget in spite of the challenging economic times in which it was constructed.

Expect to see in front of the library's entrance bright and early Saturday morning. They'll be standing with the five members of the Los Gatos Town Council. After a banner is cut, they'll be allowed to enter the, followed by the Council and the hundreds expected to swarm the entrance. The parking lot will be closed for security reasons.

Meanwhile, the sparkling new facility continued to receive oohs, ahhs and gasps of amazement from those who attended a VIP preview soft opening reception Thursday evening.

Three of the red-carpet attendees last night were winners of a benefit fundraising auction held last year at Los Gatos Luxury Cars, 66 E. Main St. for the

Neelima Das, Kristin Bottenberg and Michele Chavez, with the Iron&Court Engagement Concierge company, bid and won a chauffered ride in a while Rolls Royce to the Library VIP soft opening. They were then treated to dinner and drinks at , said Los Gatos Councilman Steven Leonardis.

"It's going to be a fantastic community gathering place," Leonardis said about the new library. "It's going to be something we're all proud of."

The said he's most excited about town residents being able to use it. "I just can't wait for them to open the doors and let everyone in," he said.

Leonardis said he didn't know what the surprise will be Saturday morning. "I want to be surprised by it, too," he mused.

Leonardis will be attending the ceremony with wife and two daughters, who are at the right age to begin using the facility heavily, he said.

"We've used the kids' programs in the past, but now they're reading and doing reports and all those things that are important to do at the library."

Leonardis said he was excited to get his girls new library cards.

To see the complete list of library grand-opening weekend events,

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