At 5,000 square feet, supporters of the Leo Politi library branch in Fresno have been searching for a new home. Photo by Ben Hensley

The Fresno County Library is celebrating a new start for the beloved Politi Branch with the approval Tuesday of a nearly $8 million lease that will quadruple the current footprint.

The Politi Branch Library, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, hoped to move into the former 21,440 square-foot Rite Aid location at Bullard Avenue and First Street last year. But the move was challenged by the 99 Cents Only Store in the same shopping center based on lease restrictions for non-commercial uses.

Negotiations with the Los Angeles-based retailer to allow the library branch had been ongoing since at least October 2023 up until April of this year, when 99 Cents Only Stores announced it would immediately close all 371 of its outlets. The retailer cited the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in consumer demand, inflation and product “shrink” — loss from theft and other factors — as its reasons for closing after 42 years.

The additional space for the branch, named for Fresno-born children’s author and illustrator Leo Politi, will mean more space for a growing collection of books, digital media and other resources, in addition to room for community events, library programs and study areas, according to a library new release.

Expansions are planned for the children’s and young adult sections, as well as more public computers, meeting rooms, study space and a multi-use community room.

“We are incredibly excited about this move,” said Sally Gomez, Fresno County Public Library director. “The new space will not only allow us to expand our offerings but also create a more welcoming and functional environment for our patrons. We envision this new location as a hub for learning, creativity, and community engagements.”

The owner is working to complete the renovations within a year and the lease will not commence until Fresno County Public Library can move in after the renovations.

Renovations are expected to cost nearly $1.3 million. 

Once the new Politi branch is completed it will be the 3^rd largest of the current library branches.

The 10-year lease agreement was signed with the Jeff & Velvet Jue Family Trust.