Garrett Kuramoto was born and raised in Sunnyvale. This Santa Clara resident roots for the San Jose Sharks and the Oakland A’s. He plays recreational hockey and holds a black belt in Taekwondo. He serves on the advisory board for The Music School of Sunnyvale. Those who know Kuramoto remember he guest starred on Jeopardy back in 2020.
As of late September, Kuramoto started a new gig as the Superintendent of Libraries for the City of Sunnyvale.
“I oversee the operations of the Sunnyvale Public Library,” Kuramoto said. “I supervise all of the various departments like adult services, children and teen services, circulation and technical services.”
According to Kuramoto, right now, he is working with the City to build a second library in the Lakewood area in north Sunnyvale.
“The geography of Sunnyvale and the location of the Main Library has meant that residents of north Sunnyvale often live far away and have difficulty accessing the Main Library,” Kuramoto said. “That’s a primary reason why we decided to build a branch library in north Sunnyvale. We are expected to begin construction in 2024 with the completion of the construction in 2025. Right now, I’m working with the City’s Department of Public Works to prepare for construction bids.
“In addition to overseeing the various day-to-day operations of the library, I’m also engaged in a lot of strategic planning for the future and budgeting,” Kuramoto continued. “We are always looking to improve and grow our services. So, I play a role in helping to develop our plans. Another major project is that we’re also planning for the construction of a new Main Library. It would be in the City of Sunnyvale’s Civic Center in the proximity of where the current library is.”
In the New Year, Kuramoto looks forward to the opening of an early learning hub in the current Main Library.
“This will be a room in our children’s room that’s full of interactive play toys and tools that young kids 0 to 5 years old can interact with,” Kuramoto said. “All the toys and activities, such as a play kitchen and an interactive light display, are there to promote early learning and literacy.”
When Kuramoto isn’t busy with work or his many extracurricular activities, he is also a reader.
“On the fiction side, I really enjoy nautical stories,” he said. “I’ve been reading the ‘Master and Commander’ series by Patrick O’Brian. They are novels about the British Royal Navy during the Napoleonic wars. This year, I read a non-fiction book called ‘Wellbeing at Work’ by Jim Clifton and Jim Harter. This book is about building resilient workplaces, especially in the wake of the pandemic.”
When asked why he chose the library services profession, Kuramoto replied, “I’ve always been passionate about helping people and serving others. Being a librarian is all about helping people find the right kinds of books, tools and job skills. Being a librarian is about helping people enjoy and improve their lives and I get to do that every day.”
Welcome or something could change the attitude from the staff? Many are rude seldom listen to patrons former City Librarian was alienated. From patrons anyhow” Garrett shall enlarge various “subject matters” surroundings annoying? Patrons sitting on the floor whom intimidated from sitting next to others! File sharing messing up the networks, Garrett plenty of bigotry, assumption if your certain heritage your unclothed. I refuse to remain silent if have perception just placid realm. Looking at realty animosity due, continued presences of Homeless whom pick up daily to shelters! Garrett I support diversity neighborhood branches for future of Sunnyvale not obsolete “main building” Sunnyvale no longer. A township it’s a large city with village attitude of governmental policies. Anyhow best of success among partnership with region library district with no fees inter-library loans. Thanks
Not sure can new “City Librarian” change the negative attitude, Within the library I notice the continued “territorial” preference regarding. Sitting arrangements majority assume the public facility. Exclusive academic institution, yeah if not certain race. Your slighted “example” sitting business sector majority. Were Asian they detested my presents why assumption only. Exclusive few allow in segregated area a joke! Annoying how staff ignored safety factors, patrons refusing. Interact others sitting on floor in aisles. Plenty of discrimination within this library forgotten it’s Sunnyvale! Garrett your at the helm good luck majority also, infringing on copywriting…using photo to using high lighter. On tech material children room equivalent only certain nationalism. Is allow Asian community has indifference towards diversity my experience! Garrett why staff prejudging patrons due to color?
Garrett welcome abroad cancel the proposed “Main library” nonsense. Sunnyvale governed by village administration, believe waste of effort expenditure. Design totally inept only limited amount of sq ft along. Expense to construction rather I advocate, not to late Garrett. Neighborhood locations Sunnyvale tax payers would appreciate concept. We vote for empowerment not socialism Garrett. Recommend cancel the plans for central library we don’t need. It waste a burden I support locations shelves not e-books!
Finally there Sunnyvale” resident adamant upon obsolete. Design of Civic Center project so called “Green concepts”design by the
SmithGroup” doesn’t matter proposed. Main Library dismal is square footage wise, highly recommend Garrett. If approved redesigned larger scale, no longer small village of Sunnytown. We have presently I” support usage of improved streets and K-12 enhancements. Library concur: time for neighborhood brands forgotten. Budget okay for top bureaucrats to retain there “high compensations”, Civic Center unbeneficial future of Sunnyvale. Garrett what’s your plans for improved library system for Sunnyvale haaaa?
Wow, regarding Civic Center development I concur, a waste of effort. Garrett advocating for higher expenditure for library system? Demographically economically and social awareness, Sunnyvale governmental policies are vague neighborhood locations ideal going vote. Against Civic Center suppose main library only meager concepts have approved. Larger square footage city council derail any project of essential elements not there compensations. Garrett proposing larger library encompassing 160,000 sq.ft no exaggeration Sunnyvale is city not a village! Have the treasury to build economically viable building Garrett hold a meeting soon. City Libarian without voice to change decay of library system, Repugnant interior main library isolated attitude of some of residents exclusively. Homogenous rather acknowledging social diversity true Garrett sitting on the floors. Voting neighborhood locations Sunnyvale has the budget for new K-12 increase corporate taxes. Garrett going purchase books what subject matters? Mayor Klien, Linda Sell and Eileen Lee approve budget neighbor branches were a city not village!