Pop-Up Library Opens At Northgate Mall In San Rafael

SAN RAFAEL, CA – As a special holiday season treat, the Marin County Free Library and San Rafael Public Library have partnered to launch a temporary pop-up library at the Northgate Mall in San Rafael. The location opened at noon Friday, Dec. 7.

The pop-up library is located in an empty space in the mall. Merlone Geier Partners, the new mall owners, provided the space at no cost for the month of December, while the Marin County Free Library provided library materials from its distribution center and assisted with staffing the location.

Patrons can check out books and other media, pick up items on hold, drop off checked-out materials, use the 3D printer, and participate in other programming options.

The library is open from noon to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from noon to 5 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. The planned final day for the location is Sunday, Dec. 31, but organizers said they would pursue a longer stay if the pop-up library is deemed a success.

Photo 1: Jamie Poirier (left), San Rafael Public Library Circulation Supervisor, and Marin County Free Library Deputy Director Bonny White inspect children’s books during the soft opening of the Northgate mall library branch.

Photo 2: The library branch at Northgate mall will be open at least through the month of December (Photos provided by San Rafael Library)