Renovation work will close another library in Stanislaus County. What to know
The Riverbank Library will close for a five-month renovation project.
Stanislaus County supervisors approved the temporary closure, effective April 13, through a routine consent item Tuesday. The library, at 3442 Santa Fe St., is expected to reopen in September.
According to a county staff report, the $650,000 renovation project will include American with Disabilities Act improvements, repair a problem with rainwater intrusion and replace floor tiles that contain asbestos.
The library’s collection of books and other materials will be stored away and won’t be available for checkout until the project is completed. A book drop will remain outside the library building.
The Riverbank project will take a third facility out of service in the Stanislaus County library system. In late November, the county’s main library in Modesto was closed for an $18.1 million renovation and modernization project. The county’s flagship library will be closed until summer 2026.
The Newman Library also is closed for construction work until May. It is undergoing many of the same renovations as the nearly 50-year-old Riverbank Library, because the two buildings are similar.
“We have been knowing for a while that a number of our facilities are in need of improvement to keep them functional and safe for the next 50 years,” said Laura Ferrell, a spokeswoman for county libraries.
County Librarian Sarah Dentan said in a news release Tuesday the renovations will improve access to the Riverbank library and enhance the safety and longevity of the building.
“As an essential community hub, our library should be a welcoming and accessible space for everyone,” Dentan said.
The county staff report did not provide a dollar estimate for the work. The Board of Supervisors is allocating community services investment funds to cover the costs.
Some library services will be offered at a nearby Teen Center, at 3600 Santa Fe St., through an agreement with the city of Riverbank. People will be able to pick up items placed on hold and return materials at the pop-up location, which may also have space for library programs, but it depends on terms of the agreement with the city, Ferrell said.
Hours for the pop-up center will be posted on the Stanislaus Library website. Community members can travel five and a half miles to visit the county’s Oakdale Library.
Stanislaus County has 13 library branches offering a collection of free materials, as well as computer and Wi-Fi access and programs for children and adults. Other branch libraries that are open include Ceres, Turlock, Salida, Empire, Hughson, Denair, Keyes, Patterson, Grayson and Waterford.
This story was originally published April 1, 2025 at 3:12 PM.
