San José Public Library's Oldest Branch Celebrates 100th Anniversary
September
10, 2007 -
San José Public Library hosts a community celebration on Saturday, October 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. honoring the 100th year anniversary of East San José Carnegie Branch Library (1102 E. Santa Clara St.), the oldest branch in the San José library system and the oldest public library in service in Santa Clara County. The celebration will also mark the next phase in the library's history, its closure for renovation and expansion later this year. The event will include Folkoric dancing, music, historical displays, and neighborhood remembrances, along with a community resource faire are FREE for all to enjoy. Face painting and balloons will keep the youngest entertained.
East San José Carnegie's. story began when the East San José community applied for and received a $7,000 Carnegie grant. Prominent San José architect Jacob Lenzen designed the small, temple style Classical building, which is constructed of plaster with wood columns and trim. The builder was M.D. Green. The historical 3,600 square foot Carnegie Library opened in 1907.
When San José annexed the City of East San José in 1911, it acquired the Carnegie Library, renaming it the East San José Carnegie Branch Library thereby making it the first branch of the San José Public Library system. East San José Carnegie Branch Library has been designated a San Jose City Historical Building and in 1990 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1974, it was determined that East Carnegie was too small to continue serving the rapidly growing East Side community. It was scheduled to close. Faced with the loss of their small library, the neighborhood rallied and the library was saved, renovated and expanded. The addition - undertaken to create a larger facility while preserving the original structure - was completed in 1981. The renovation included installation of a passive solar energy system in the new section to aid heating and cooling, thereby reducing utility costs.
Over the years, the East San José neighborhood has become home to a succession of populations from early Portuguese dairymen, an African American and Hispanic population of long standing, and more recently Southeast Asian arrivals. This rich cultural diversity is reflected in the library's community-oriented collection.
As the community grows and evolves, so too does the library. Towards the end of 2007, the venerable landmark will close for yet another transformation, this time funded by the branch development bond measure passed by San José voters in November 2000. The 7,281 square foot structure will expand to nearly 12,000 square feet, allowing more room for computers and library materials, as well as group study areas, ensuring that East San José Carnegie Branch Library continues to serve visitors' needs. The design for the new expansion respects the integrity of the original historical structure, all of which is retained. For information on the upcoming celebration, call (408) 998-2069. To stay on top of branch development news, visit: www.newsanjoselibraries.com.
For more information, contact:
• Lorraine Oback, San José Public Library, at (408)
808-2176
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