This former Rite Aid building in Northwest Fresno housed a Spirit Halloween store in 2023, but a library branch is seeking to move in. Photo by Ben Hensley

Updated: Friday, Oct. 13

A local library branch was hoping to move into a new home this year, but a dispute with a neighboring retail store could derail those plans.

The Politi Branch Library, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, has been hoping to relocate for quite some time. The library’s current building, located at 5771 N. First St. in Fresno, is limited on space.

Library officials saw opportunity across the corner at Bullard Avenue and First Street when in 2022 the Rite Aid pharmacy closed its doors permanently, leaving nearly 17,000 square feet of unoccupied space available.

“We have a space right now that’s 5,000 square feet,” said Janet Claassen, a member of Friends of Leo Politi Library, a community group that supports the library branch. “Yet, somehow that little library has managed to have the fifth-largest circulation of the [34] branches.”

Additionally, the current location has just six computers available to patrons. It also lacks space for community events such as meetings and book sales.

“There’s no room,” she said.

 

During the Fresno County Public Library’s inquiry into the space, it came to light that tenants in the shopping center have power to restrict non-commercial uses on the property. Any nonprofit or non-revenue-generating organization could be denied a lease with just a single “nay” vote.

The 99 Cents Only Store was the lone naysayer, opposing the library’s move. Claassen said the decision was based on parking availability.

That motive was echoed in a statement received Friday from 99 Cents Only Stores that reads:

“The 99 is committed to creating a vibrant and dynamic retail environment for our customers, associates and the communities we serve. As part of this commitment, we work to ensure sufficient, convenient parking is available for all our customers. We appreciate the concerns of community members who are seeking to relocate the Fresno County Library to the First Street shopping center. We have reached out to our landlord and library representatives and hope to meet with them soon to discuss potential solutions that work for all parties.”

As a compromise, store representatives agreed to allow the move provided the library limits entry and exit access to the backside of the building,  said a library official.

“If we did move into that building, they would want us to put the entrance on the backside of the building,” said Susan Renfro, Fresno County Public Library marketing and community relations officer . “Why they want that I’m not sure. I just know that that is what they requested.”

The backside of the building, located at 6074 N. First Street, is accessed by an alley-style service road also used for loading and unloading by tenants. The compromise is not only unappealing, but potentially unsafe, branch supporters say.

Renfro said that if the 99 Cents Only Store does not change its mind, the Politi Library will not be able to go through with the move.

“Unfortunately for us, doing that isn’t really conducive to the safety of our patrons. It’s not efficient,” she said. “It’s just not something we can do.”

Claassen and the Friends of the Leo Politi Library say the move by the 99 Cents Only Store is especially disappointing because the store’s founder Dave Gold was friends with Leo Politi himself.

Fresno-born Politi, who died in 1996, illustrated and authored children’s books. In 1950, he was honored with the Caldecott Medal for “the nation’s most distinguished children’s picture book” for “Song of the Swallows.”

 

During Politi’s 100th birthday celebration in 2008, 99 Cents Only Stores provided support for the celebration, helping construct “99 Thanks for making it possible” — a compilation of 99 events and celebrations of Leo Politi’s life, works of art and service.

A move to the former Rite Aid store would also allow the library to host student programs for nearby Ahwahnee Middle School and Hoover High School.

Politi Library Supervising Assistant Alan Greenshaw said the move would also allow the library to change its status. Currently, the library operates as a community library. In a larger space, the library would operate as a regional library and be granted extended hours and opportunities.

“We’re in the center of the city,” he said. “It’s a great place to have a regional.”

Greenshaw also pointed out the opportunities that having a nearby library could bring local retailers, with additional foot traffic.

The long-awaited quest to find a new home for the library is seemingly at a standstill. However, the Friends of Leo Politi Library hope store officials will reconsider their decision and give the library more visibility, access and opportunity.

“It’s close to the schools, it’s in the neighborhood, it’s easy to get to,” Claassen said.