SJLibrary.org, a collaboration of San Jose State University and San Jose Public Library system.

Early Years of San José Public Library, 1849-1970

The Old Post Office building, site of the library from 1937 - 1970.

Knox Block Location

The residents of San José have supported a tradition of library service for well over 100 years. Library service in San José began 89 days before the city was incorporated. On December 29, 1849, the State Librarian in the first senate meeting in San José was authorized to buy a case for books donated by generous California citizens. It wasn't until July 12, 1872 that a membership library became incorporated by the San José Library Association. The facilities were located in an upstairs room at the corner of First and Santa Clara Streets (Knox Block). Donated funds and the service of volunteers were instrumental in those early days. Adolph Pfister, then Mayor of San José, led the way by example when he donated his salary for four years to build the fledgling collection.

City Hall and the Carnegie Library

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The extension of the railroad into San José following the Civil War caused a population explosion and an economic boom creating the need for a more robust library system. The Rodgers Act of 1878 enabled cities and counties to create tax-supported library systems until its expiration on midnight of April 30, 1880. The voters of San José turned down the establishment of a free public library three times before ardent supporters finally persuaded the City Council to create the institution by resolution. The resolution passed with only ninety minutes left in the life of the Rodgers Act.

The library was originally located on the south side of Santa Clara Street between Market and First. The first city librarian was William Redding who held the position from 1880 to 1887. In May of 1889 the library moved to the second of the newly completed City Hall. An arduous climb up two flights of stairs made it an unpopular location. In 1901, Andrew Carnegie gave the City of San José a $50,000 grant for a new library building. That building was located on the southeast corner of Fourth and San Fernando Streets and opened in 1903. It would later house the Student Union of San José State College.

Into the Post Office

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While war, depression, and epidemics took their toll on the library and its services, its collections of books continued to grow and by the 1930's was too large for the Carnegie building. In July 1937, the library “temporarily” relocated to the old Post Office building on the southeast corner of Market and San Fernando Streets. That building now forms one wing of the San José Museum of Art. Decades passed before a 1961 bond issue and a 1965 federal grant provided $4,470,000 for the construction of a 105,000 square foot Main Library building.

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Historical Photos - San Jose Public Library 1849-1970

Early Locations 1872 - 1937
Knox Block - 1872	City Hall - 1889	City Hall - 1889	City Hall - 1889	Carnegie Library - 1903
Old Post Office 1937 - 1970
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People
San José Library Association Trustees - 1873	Edith Daley City Librarian - 1923 to 1943	Geraldine Nurney City Librarian - 1943 to 1970	Geraldine Nurney with patrons

More Historical Photos

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