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The Commons Foundation

Fund, Build and Sustain the New Larkspur Library and Community Gathering Space

Dear Friends,

Welcome to The Commons Foundation website! We are a nonprofit organization that was formed in 2018 to raise funds for a new Larkspur library. We are proud to be the official fundraising partner for the City of Larkspur, and we have exceeded our initial $5M goal thanks to the incredible generosity of visionary donors, organizations, and individuals. With a California State Library matching grant, we will be able to build a new modern library at The Commons, located on the corner of Doherty Drive and Rose Lane.

The new library is scheduled to open in 2025 and will offer easy access with ample parking, an ADA ramp, indoor and outdoor spaces, a public square, and much more. As we move forward, TCF will focus our fundraising efforts on the areas around the new library, including a $1 million campaign for landscaping, hardscaping, and vegetation. Our goal is to make The Commons a welcoming and joyful place for everyone to hang out with friends, read a book, or enjoy the iconic view of Mt. Tam.

We are excited to provide a website that will keep you well-informed of our progress and how you can get involved.

Sincerely,

The Commons Foundation

See What's New

New Library drawing concept

Landscaping Campaign

After raising $5.2M in private funds in 2022, which was matched by a state grant, we were able to reach our initial goal of funding a new Larkspur library building. However, library grants cannot be used for exterior elements such as landscaping and outdoor meeting spaces. To raise critical funds for these outdoor areas, we are currently embarking on a new fundraising campaign to raise $1M in private contributions, to be used to enhance the exterior spaces surrounding the new library, including features such as patios, walkways, raised beds, arbors, vegetation, amenities for cyclists and pedestrians, inviting seated areas, benches, water features, lighting, and a public square.

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Updates

Newsletters

TCF Newsletter September 2024

We’re excited to share that the story poles for the new Larkspur Library are going up on The Commons parcel. The design development plans of...
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New Modern Library

A nexus of community resources and partnerships, a 21st Century library goes beyond books to provide programs and materials that meet the needs of all in a community. It’s a hub where individuals of all ages can engage in collaborative learning, explore new technologies, and participate in enriching cultural experiences.

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Landscaping Campaign

Our Landscaping Campaign aims to enhance the exterior spaces surrounding the new Larkspur library with features such as patios, walkways, raised beds, arbors, vegetation, amenities for cyclists and pedestrians, inviting seated areas, benches, water features, lighting, and a public square.
Landscaping Campaign

Who We Serve

TCF serves all members of the community in Larkspur and beyond. Our mission is to create a new library and its surrounding grounds that will benefit everyone, including school-age children, teens, older adults, empty nesters, and those who commute to Marin for work.
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About The Commons Foundation

The Commons Foundation is citizen-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose purpose is to raise private funds from Larkspur and neighboring communities to fund, build and sustain a new, modern Larkspur public library.
About Us

Our Vision

Our vision is to build a beautiful, vibrant and inclusive community gathering space that fosters lifelong learning, literacy, cultural enrichment and meaningful connection for all members of our community.

Why I Give

"I like to give to the library because libraries change lives for the better. Whether introducing libraries to little ones, providing a safe place for students, nurturing learners of all ages, or reaching out to the community online, the Larkspur Library is the center of our reading community with high quality resources available to all without cost. It's a revolutionary concept that makes our society and we as individuals better.”
Barbara Friday
Friends of the Larkspur Library
“A public library is a place for introducing children to language and literacy and also for lifelong learning, skill building, teaching, quiet study spaces, intergenerational sharing, mind expansion, and access to the world beyond. The new Larkspur Library will be a treasured resource for our community to gather, and to share ideas and companionship.”
Sharon Staley
Donor
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to create a new library and community center that will be a vibrant gathering place and cultural hub for generations to come.”
Catherine Way
Larkspur City Council Member and Former Mayor
“We strongly believe in the importance of funding and building the best new modern library possible.”
Lori Lerner and Terry Berkemeier
Donors
“Libraries are one of the most essential functions in our communities. They serve both as a learning and job resources center, as well as living rooms for so many people in our communities.”
Marc Levine
U.S. Assembly Member

Landscaping Campaign –
Funds Raised to Date

Thank you to all of our supporters for helping us make our new library and its surrounding grounds a welcoming and joyful space for the community!
$ 0

Amount Needed: $1M