The North Fair Oaks Library

Challenge

At a glance, the North Fair Oaks Library looks like a modest, under-resourced building, especially when compared to the larger civic structures nearby. In reality, the residents described it as a place where they feel seen and understood and they do not gravitate to any of the bigger, fancier, buildings. So the question is: What makes this library such a strong anchor for the people? What does this reveal about public space, trust, and belonging?

Approach:

We ran a participatory, observation-based study that looked at how physical and emotional boundaries intersect. We explored which spaces residents gravitated toward and which they avoided—and why. The research bridged multiple ongoing county initiatives, weaving in insights from previous quantitative work and aligning with evolving infrastructure projects while also adding clarity, depth, and usability.

Interesting Insight:

The physical layout of North Fair Oaks creates invisible boundaries: railways and arterial roads split the neighborhood into isolated pockets. These crossings aren’t just logistical; they’re psychological fault lines that prevent the population living in such tight quarters from starting a community. Amidst that fragmentation, the library stands out. It’s the only space that reliably bridges the divide, acting as the emotional and logistical de facto town center.

Impact:

Validated and colored results from a previous quant survey run by the County, resulted in funding allocated from the County to reconstruct parts of the NFO Library, and research helped inform the Middlefield Road Improvement Project to energize and improve the safety of this crucial corridor.