The exterior of the San Francisco Public Library’s Chinatown branch.

A popular San Francisco Public Library branch is set to close for two and a half years while it undergoes a major renovation. 

The overhaul of the 105-year-old Him Mark Lai Branch in Chinatown will introduce a swath of improvements while preserving the building’s historic character, according to a recent news release from its nonprofit arm, the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library. Expected changes include the additions of a new community room with a capacity of 100 and a gallery honoring Chinese and Asian American history, as well as a restoration of its historic grand reading room. 

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The landmark Carnegie building, which first opened in 1921, is also slated to gain a dedicated teen space, study rooms and conference room as well as a new rooftop terrace with “panoramic city views,” the news release read. Additionally, the library will expand its existing children’s center, implement improved ADA accessibility in its bathrooms and elevators, create new laptop charging stations and build an air-respite........

© SFGate