Rockridge Branch: A Reality at Last . . .
Originally appeared in the 06/95 issue of "Off the Shelf"
Temescal Branch Library was built in 1918 with a grant from millionaire philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Oakland received $140,000 to build the Temescal, Golden Gate, Melrose, and 23rd Ave. Branch Libraries. Temescal Branch was originally called the Alden Branch Free Library. The area was known as the Alden District after an early settler who had owned much of the land.
At the time the library was built the Alden District was a working class neighborhood with many Italian immigrants. The Oakland History Room file on the Temescal Branch contains an Italian language flyer about the library. Carnegie libraries were intended to help working class people, like those in the Alden District, better themselves through self-education. These residents worked at local truck farms, the Lusk Cannery (now the DMV Office), and Oakland Scavenger (whose headquarters were on Claremont between Cavour and Clifton). After World War II the library was renamed Temescal Branch Library. According to a letter from the Temescal Merchants Association, this name change was intended to honor the "veterans who lost their lives in World War II".
The file on the Temescal Branch at the Oakland History Room reflects the neighborhood in different periods. One theme that was current throughout was the importance of children's programs. They’re mentioned frequently in reports from the branch librarians from the 1910s to the 1970s.
The Temescal Branch has often been involved in development issues. A series of letters in 1964 chronicles efforts of local officials, including the Library Commission, and community leaders to develop the district into a "North Beach" of the East Bay. Then, as now, there was concern over the decline of the neighborhood.
The Temescal District today is a more diverse population both ethnically and in terms of social and educational background. It still has a substantial population of working class home owners, but college educated families have been moving in slowly over the last decade. While there are some pressures from this modest gentrification, this mix has gone well. The neighborhood has found common cause in local issues such as the development of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza (the Old Merritt College site).
The library continues to be an important community resource. Children's services are an important part of the library. Currently the branch is a site for the PASS after school homework program. With Measure O funding, the branch now has a full-time children's librarian and provides a pre-school story hour, and lap-sit reading program for infant/toddlers and parents in evening. The Temescal branch continues to help its working-class patrons by providing career and educational development materials. Second Start Literacy tutors meet with students. There is a collection of videos on home repairs/improvement, which are popular with patrons, who have a little "fixer upper" in the neighborhood. The meeting room in the basement, long the site of many community events, continues to be a site for cultural events and meetings. Currently groups as diverse as 12 Step programs and a Capoiera (Brazilian dance/martial art) Group meet there. Councilmember Sheila Jordan's office is located in the basement, and council sub-committee meetings are often held in the meeting room.
The Temescal Branch has had several recent brushes with extinction. In 1993, it was one of several branches slated for closure due to budget cuts. Currently, the branch is being scrutinized because of concerns over seismic safety. The branch is an unreinforced masonry structure (or URM) and is subject to city guidelines on seismic safety. URMs are considered risky in earthquakes because they are at a high risk of catastrophically failing during earthquakes. The Library studied the safety of Temescal and other URM branches and is meeting with the public about the findings (see article on page 1).
Whatever Temescal's future fate, its history as an important part of the local community, down to the present day, can't be denied.
Thanks to Annalee Allen of the Montclarion, Martha Bergman, Temescal Branch Librarian and Bill Sturm of the Oakland History Room for providing information and material used in this article. Annalee's article on the history of the Temescal Branch appeared in the July 20, 1993 edition of the Montclarion.
- Alice Mercer
(Please note that this story may not reflect current staff assignments at this branch.)