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Anaheim Library History Timeline
It All Started in a Candy Store...
- 1872 - P.A. Clark and H.S. Austin plan to establish a circulating library in Anaheim.
- August 1873 - Formal opening takes place.
- April 1884 - Reverend H.J. Sheridan proposed to organize a Young Men's Social Club and establish a reading room stocked with the best newspapers and books, in a building on Los Angeles Street (now Anaheim Boulevard) south of the Masonic Hall.
- March 1886 - The Town Trustees (now City Council) began to discuss the need for a place "where young people can pass an evening among refining influences and in adding to their store of knowledge."
- February 1901 - Cornelius Bruce offered room in his Candy Store between Los Angeles and Claudina streets on Center Street, to establish a library and act as librarian for a salary of $12 a month.
- August 1902 - The Board of Trustees established the municipally supported Anaheim Public Library and accepted an offer to transfer all 672 books and other property (a set of bookshelves, a reading table and 2 rocking chairs) from the Free Library to the City library.
- September 1902 - Fees were $1 per year, 60 cents for 6 months, 25 cents for 1 month or less.
- July 1906 - President and secretary of Library Board appointed to visit Fullerton Library to inquire of the method of securing a Carnegie Library.
- September 1906 - City Clerk authorized to write Andrew Carnegie requesting information about securing a library building for Anaheim.
- November 1906 - Library expands to rooms in new Candy Kitchen.
- February 1907 - City Clerk receives confirmation from Andrew Carnegie's secretary, James Bertram, that $10,000 would be provided if the city agrees to terms of the grant.
- July 1907 - Site Committee collected $2,652.59 from residents to buy Building Lot #45, paying William and Adelheid Konig $2,400.
- December 1907 - Richard Fischle advised Library Board that he had rented the library premises to a barber when the library lease expires on January 1, 1908. Library collection to be moved to Anaheim Chamber of Commerce rooms until new library building is ready for occupancy.
Carnegie Library (Now the Anaheim Museum)
- December 1907 - Library Board accepts architectural plans of John Austin of Los Angeles. City trustees reject plan and advertise for additional architects.
- January 1908 - Library Board again loses Austin after reviewing 4 resubmitted plans. Miss Jean Adams appointed librarian of the new location.
- February 1908 - Austin plans approved by City Trustees.
- June 1908 - Kuechel and Rowley of Orange chosen contractors when their bid is revised to $9,589, below the 10,000 limit of the grant.
- November 1908 - Cornerstone was laid at dedication of the building.
- January 1, 1909 - Anaheim Public Library's Carnegie Building was opened to the public for the first time.
- September 1911 - Library benefit held at the Opera House.
- July 1917 - Flag pole is installed.
- August 1925 - A juvenile department included in next year's expenses. Elva Haskett is hired as the first Children's Librarian.
- November 1925 - 21,405 books are in the library.
- 1929 - Elva Haskett introduces Pinocchio to the children.
- February 1932 - Plans completed move the "Junior Library" to the basement.
- March 1933 - Earthquake causes damage to roof tiles and chimney.
- March 1938 - Floods damage the city and library and Pinocchio is lost in the flood waters.
- July 1940 - Using a cart equipped with book racks, librarian Calnon takes books to the park.
- July 1951 - Restless young boys start a fire in the restroom, prompting Fire Chief, Ed Stringer to begin the first Junior Fire Prevention Program.
- 1951-1952 - Phonograph Record Library is established. Only long playing records in the collection. Circulation reports show 121,105 materials circulated (adults), 49,097 (Junior).
- May 1956 - City authorizes purchase of new site for Central Library (Vineyard Lot F6).
- 1957 - The Library held the initial celebration of Anaheim's Centennial 1857-1957). A reception, sponsored the Anaheim Doll Club, honored pioneer families.
- August 1, 1957 - William J. Griffith is appointed City Librarian.
- February 1958 - Funds are obtained for acquisition of a bookmobile.
- February 1959 - The Bookmobile celebrates its first year of service. Circulation reaches 54,505.
Central Library & the Branches
- April 1960 - Voters approved Library Bond Issue, Proposition L, authorizing construction of a new Central library and also a branch library.
- November 1960 - City Council designates the northerly 300 feet of land at Broadway and Harbor Boulevard the site for the new Central Library. Thomas J. Russell selected as architect for branch library to be built on Mattie Lou Maxwell Park in the vicinity of Broadway and Magnolia streets.
- July 1961 - Joe Jordan, A.I.A. Burbank, was formally selected by the Library Board as the architect for the new million dollar Central Library facility.
- November 1, 1961 Formal ground-breaking ceremony for West Anaheim branch.
- March 1962 - Elizabeth J. Schultz designated to formulate plans for a Friends of the Library.
- May 21, 1962 - Official ground-breaking ceremony for both the library and police facilities.
- August 27, 1962 - Opening day for Elva L. Haskett Branch Library.
- May 1963 - Library designated a U.S. Government Depository.
- December 5, 1963 - Central Library opens to the public; officially Dedicated on February 23, 1964.
- November 1964 - Grand piano from the Symphony Guild received; program and presentation held on December 13.
- January 1965 - Anaheim becomes a charter city, changing library board from administrative to advisory body.
- January 1966 - Arrangements are completed for naming APL a selective depository for state publications.
- Mar 2, 1967 - Mother Colony History Room officially opened.
- February 1968 - 10th anniversary Bookmobile service; 688,473 books have been checked out during this period.
- April 1970 - Proposition L which would have provided funds for library expansion defeated.
- May 1971 - Parks and Recreation Commission officially approved placing a library on the south end of Juarez Park.
- June 1971 - Library designated a Disney Depository, with an emphasis on Disneyland.
- May 1972 - Anaheim City School District superintendent asks the Library Board to create a library for the Mexican-American community at the George Washington School, soon to be a Community Center.
- February 1973 - George Washington Community Library opens. (Library discontinues staffing in December 1976.)
- June 1972 - A Resolution authorized purchase of land at 1344 Euclid and 3 acres at Nohl Ranch Road and Imperial Highway for future library sites.
- July 24, 1975 - Ground-breaking ceremonies for Euclid and Sunkist Branch Libraries.
- June 16, 1976 - Dedication and opening of Sunkist and Euclid "twin" branches.
- August 26, 1980 - Ground-breaking Ceremony of the Canyon Hills Branch.
- July 11, 1981 - Dedication of Canyon Hills Branch. Official opening July 13.
- December 20, 1988 - Formal presentation of $9,000 from the Friends of the Library for the purpose of establishing a videocassette rental program.
- September 30, 1992 - Library begins the Adopt-A-Magazine campaign to replace subscriptions lost to budget cuts.
- April 1995 - Reception held to honor patron benefactors, featuring Dr. Kevin Starr, noted author and California State Librarian.
- June 1995 - Anaheim grapples with the effects of the Orange County bankruptcy. City Manager answers questions about the effects of the financial crisis on the Libraries in Anaheim Magazine article.
- July 1995 - Branch Libraries are reopened on Mondays with new hours.
- Summer 1995 - Theodore Taylor is featured speaker for the 17th Annual Michael L. Roston Creative Writing Contest. Credit card equipment is installed on coin-operated machines. (First public library installation).
- 1996 - Adopt-a-Magazine Campaign is underway. Library becomes a division of Community Services. Anaheim Public Library Foundation holds its first Mystery Authors Luncheon with the theme, 'Crime a la Carte'.
- April 1997 - 2nd Annual Authors Luncheon is sponsored by Anaheim Public Library Foundation, "South by Southwest".
Central Library & the Branches
- April 1960 - Voters approved Library Bond Issue, Proposition L, authorizing construction of a new Central library and also a branch library.
- November 1960 - City Council designates the northerly 300 feet of land at Broadway and Harbor Boulevard the site for the new Central Library. Thomas J. Russell selected as architect for branch library to be built on Mattie Lou Maxwell Park in the vicinity of Broadway and Magnolia streets.
- July 1961 - Joe Jordan, A.I.A. Burbank, was formally selected by the Library Board as the architect for the new million dollar Central Library facility.
- November 1, 1961 - Formal ground-breaking ceremony for West Anaheim branch.
- March 1962 - Elizabeth J. Schultz designated to formulate plans for a Friends of the Library.
- May 21, 1962 - Official ground-breaking ceremony for both the library and police facilities.
- August 27, 1962 - Opening day for Elva L. Haskett Branch Library.
- May 1963 - Library designated a U.S. Government Depository.
- December 5, 1963 - Central Library opens to the public; officially Dedicated on February 23, 1964.
- November 1964 - Grand piano from the Symphony Guild received; program and presentation held on December 13.
- January 1965 - Anaheim becomes a charter city, changing library board from administrative to advisory body.
- January 1966 - Arrangements are completed for naming APL a selective depository for state publications.
- Mar 2, 1967 - Mother Colony History Room officially opened.
- February 1968 - 10th anniversary Bookmobile service; 688,473 books have been checked out during this period.
- April 1970 - Proposition L which would have provided funds for library expansion defeated.
- May 1971 - Parks and Recreation Commission officially approved placing a library on the south end of Juarez Park.
- June 1971 - Library designated a Disney Depository, with an emphasis on Disneyland.
- May 1972 - Anaheim City School District superintendent asks the Library Board to create a library for the Mexican-American community at the George Washington School, soon to be a Community Center.
- February 1973 - George Washington Community Library opens. (Library discontinues staffing in December 1976.)
- June 1972 - A Resolution authorized purchase of land at 1344 Euclid and 3 acres at Nohl Ranch Road and Imperial Highway for future library sites.
- July 24, 1975 - Ground-breaking ceremonies for Euclid and Sunkist Branch Libraries.
- June 16, 1976 - Dedication and opening of Sunkist and Euclid "twin" branches.
- August 26, 1980 - Ground-breaking Ceremony of the Canyon Hills Branch.
- July 11, 1981 - Dedication of Canyon Hills Branch. Official opening July 13.
- December 20, 1988 - Formal presentation of $9,000 from the Friends of the Library for the purpose of establishing a videocassette rental program.
- Sep 30, 1992 - Library begins the Adopt-A-Magazine Campaign to replace subscriptions lost to budget cuts.
- April 1995 - Reception held to honor patron benefactors, featuring Dr. Kevin Starr, noted author and California State Librarian.
- June 1995 - Anaheim grapples with the effects of the Orange County bankruptcy. City Manager answers questions about the effects of the financial crisis on the Libraries in Anaheim Magazine article.
- July 1995 - Branch Libraries are reopened on Mondays with new hours.
- Summer 1995 - Theodore Taylor is featured speaker for the 17th Annual Michael L. Roston Creative Writing Contest. Credit card equipment is installed on coin-operated machines (first public library installation).
- 1996 - Adopt-a-Magazine campaign underway. Library becomes a division of Community Services. Anaheim Public Library Foundation holds its first Mystery Authors Luncheon with the theme, 'Crime a la Carte'.
- April 1997 - 2nd Annual Authors Luncheon sponsored by Anaheim Public Library Foundation, "South by Southwest".