Dome

Large main courtyard, with surrounding adult section of library (looking south towards entrance facade); Sited near the mission church, the library repeats elements of the Spanish Colonial architecture in simplified, blocky forms. Grave's distinctive $1.6 million design was chosen over 140 others in an international competition. At the time that he received the contract for the library, it was his first public building commission. A dozen towers with pyramid-shaped tile roofs surround a courtyard that has a reflecting pool, lattice garden gazebos and Cypress trees. The library is divided into four major parts: the courtyard, the adult section, which surrounds the courtyard, a children's wing and an auditorium (named La Sala). A long narrow corridor with access to small rooms and reading nooks runs along the book stacks. It won Graves an award from the American Institute of Architects in 1985.