The Hercules Public Library was conceived to be landmark public building, a welcoming community-gathering place, and a functional, efficient vessel of knowledge and exploration in a fast growing and highly diverse community on the north end of San Francisco Bay. Sited on a raised plinth of land overlooking a strip ‘big box’ retail center on the edge od residential suburban sprawl, the library is a highly visible glazed beacon of glass and color visible from the freeway. The building’s variegated ‘ tapestry-like’ skin of vertical brick plate cladding is punctuated by a large fritted glass corner window that illuminates the reading room. This window offers long views and positions the library as a place of public pride in the grassy rolling hills that surround it. Architecturally inspired by the massive abode walled, tile roofed Spanish missions of 16^th Century California and the contemplative garden courtyard tradition of Asian homes, the library celebrates the diverse ethnic roots of the community. A large elliptically shaped garden courtyard, with its mounded moss and singular magnolia tree, is the visible and accessible from the heart of the building. This quiet seating area offers a wind sheltered oasis carefully calibrated to catch the winter sun. Computer labs, community meeting rooms, study hall spaces and a tall midnight blue ‘story cone’ provide an environment of welcome and discovery for users of all ages.