Before 2006, Hercules was the only city in West Contra Costa without a public library.
Development and funding of the Hercules Library, which opened Nov. 11, 2006, was a joint effort by the City of Hercules, Contra Costa County and the State of California.
Local individuals and nonprofits like the Friends of the Hercules Library also helped fund the 21,500 sq. ft. building, which has won multiple architectural awards, including one from the International Interior Design Association and the American Institute of Architects San Francisco and East Bay chapters.
Most of the 62,400+ collection is shared with other Contra Costa Public libraries. New books, audio and video rotate through the library daily. Books donated to the library through Friends of the Hercules Library stay at the Hercules site.
Hercules Public Library includes a Teen Homework Center and several reading and storytelling areas for young children. It also holds a Friends of Hercules Bookstore and a reading area equipped with seating around a fireplace. A small courtyard garden and walkway separates the adult side of the library from the children side.
It has 50 computers for public use.
Some of the programs the library offers include an afternoon screening of G-rated movies called Monday Movie Madness, Toddler Story Time, Homework Help and Thursday Afternoon Videogames.
Senior Community Library Manager Allison McKee started working for the library in January 2009.