Friends of the Oakland Public Library

Originally appeared in the 12/96 issue of 'Off the Shelf'

Oakland had been in need of a new central library for many years when the present building at 14th and Oak opened in 1951.

The former main library was a Carnegie building, now known as the Greene Library, completed in 1902. By 1912, Oakland had outgrown the elegant building which had to be supplemented by rented office and storage space up to four miles away. The "New Main," as it was known when it was opened, filled many needs, as it has ever since.

A 1937 news article reported the several attempts to gain voter approval of a bond to build a "beautiful, commodious library building doing honor to the third city of the Golden State." In 1933 the voters rejected one measure for a new main library because of the Great Depression. Finally, on May 8, 1945, the Oakland voters approved by a wide margin a $1.763 million bond measure for a new main library and four branch libraries. The Library Director, Dr. Peter T. Conmy, announced in a memo to the staff two days later that this event "spells the beginning of a new era for the Oakland Public Library." While World War II, which continued in the Pacific, would delay the beginning of construction for an unknown period of time, Conmy declared with optimism that "the future with an adequate Main Library is assured."

Discussion and speculation about the location of the new main library began immediately. A library staff committee report submitted to the Board of Library Directors included extensive quotes of studies on the subject of the ideal location for a library. The report was reproduced and distributed to interested members of the public. In addition, members of the library staff signed a letter to the Board of Library Directors which enumerated eight attributes of a library building which would "serve the greatest number of people." Half of the points dealt with the location, and included two pointed suggestions about where the library should not be. Specifically, the library should not be located in the civic center or in a public park, unless it was within five minutes walking distance of the central business district. There was clearly a desire that the library be as accessible as possible.

On May 7, 1949, after a suitable site for the library had been chosen, the cornerstone of the new building was laid with great ceremony. A Cornerstone Committee appointed by the Library Director selected twenty-five items to place in a box designed by the architect for the cornerstone of the building. These items were chosen "being most truly representative of the history of the Library and of the work of its Directors, its Chief Librarians, and its Staff, in relation to the city which it serves." The cornerstone houses an Oakland Chronology, the 1925/26 Annual Report of the Library reviewing Charles Greene’s 27 years as librarian, and newspapers of the day. The committee also included two volumes of poetry about California by former Oakland librarians, Ina Coolbrith and Charles Greene.

A contemporary letter to the research secretary in the governor’s office reports the cost of the site was $385,000 and the building itself $1,375,000. More interesting is the letter’s description of the philosophy of the new library: "The public library movement grew out of the public school movement. The aims and objectives are the same as for the schools, to wit, an enlightened citizenship able to play its part in the affairs of a democracy."

The Oakland Tribune, in a December 29, 1950 article, says "Oaklanders...are going to be in for a real treat when they enter the main floor of the new building through the immense glass doors facing 14th Street. They'll see a symphony of polished wood paneling, pastel walls and matching linoleums softly lighted by fluorescent fixtures." A national publication on libraries, in a pictorial showcasing the new main library, stated that Oakland residents were fortunate to have one of the most modern public libraries in the country.

However, not everyone agreed. An Oakland resident sent a photo of the Boston Public Library along with a note which read: "Enclosed is a newspaper clipping - showing part of a beautiful library building - there are hundreds of them throughout the country - possibly these should be brought to the attention of whoever is responsible for the erection of the "warehouse" which is to serve as our new main library." A gracious reply indicated that a granite front would be desirable but was prohibited by the cost.

The exterior of the library’s main entrance was later brightened by a mural painted by artist Ed Cassel in 1978 as part of a public art program. The 36-by-14-foot panels, familiar to library visitors, were repainted in 1991 by the original artist.

As a frequent visitor to the Main Library on Sundays, I find that I am in good company with many others who are taking advantage of the main library’s Sunday hours, funded in part by Measure O, passed by 73.5% of Oakland voters in 1994.

(Contemporary sources courtesy of the Main Library’s Oakland History Room)
-- Winifred Walters  

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Last modified: Tuesday April 17, 2007