THE PASO ROBLES CARNEGIE LIBRARY

 by Noreen Santaluce

 

The Now Old Library

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  


The Bowered Athenaeum

PART THREE

Ann Martin, Librarian

One of the best things to happen to the Carnegie Library was when Ann Martin came here to assume the duties of librarian on January 9, 1978. She worked long and hard to build the book collection and to bring in innovative improvements to a facility that had outgrown its space. She led the Paso Robles library for 17 years and was one of the primary forces behind the development of the new library, but was too ill to attend its dedication. She died at the age of 52 in September 1995, without having been in the library she had helped plan.

By 1980 the Carnegie Library was being called "quaint," but inside it offered a variety of modern facilities, including a listening center, large print books, tape recorders and headphones for the children's library donated by the Friends of the Library. There were 5,000 card holders on file and 200 to 225 items were checked out each day. Computers were added in 1981. Ann Martin said, "We have met the short-term goals, but as for long-term goals, I really feel that the community needs a new library." She explained that it had been built for 6,000 books and was now housing 30,000 plus books.

In 1981 the Citizens Planning Commission was appointed to prepare a long-range plan for the future of the library. Members were Barbara Durand, Bob Hermanson, Pat Johnson, Virginia Peterson, Carol Smeltzer, Bob Weinstein and Ann Martin, serving ex officio.

Children's Library Early 1920's
THE CHILDREN'S LIBRARY IN THE 1920'S

The rest is modern history and should be covered in another story of the years between 1981 and 1995, when many civic leaders worked and planned to bring about the construction of the new $6.5 million dollar library that was necessary to meet the needs of the increased population of Paso Robles. The impressive 28,686 square foot structure, with the City Hall offices on the second floor, was completed in February of 1995, and the books were moved across the street to their new home, leaving the sturdy little brick library empty.

But not for long. Its future was decided when the El Paso de Robles Area Historical Society won their campaign to keep it as a possible facility for historical documents and genealogical documents.

An Update: In December 1997 the Carnegie Library became the home of the Paso Robles Historical Society. It is here that you will find one of the most complete Paderewski exhibits which contains original photos, letters, documents and memorabilia as presented by Christine Smith of San Francisco.

REFERENCES:
Paso Robles newspaper files of The Exponent, The Paso Robles Recorder,The Daily Press and The Country News.
Thanks to Barbara Davis of the reference department of the library.

 

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