History Buffs
Monterey Home to California’s First
Public Library
California’s first public library was established in Monterey in 1849.
It was a subscription library housed in El Cuartel, a former barracks for
Mexican officers located on Munras Avenue near present-day Simoneau Plaza.
The Monterey Public Library Association’s founders’ mission was “to afford
amusement, entertainment, and profit to a large class who, without its aid,
would waste their time in the frivolities and questionable pastimes so
prevalent in our State.”
Nowadays, the mission statement alone affords amusement and entertainment,
but clearly the founders knew that libraries have the potential for helping
people to develop ideas, learn and improve their lives.
The Library’s early years were marked by the same upheaval and change
experienced by all of Monterey in the wake of the Gold Rush.
The Library languished for a period under lock and key in Colton Hall; was
later housed in a schoolhouse, which burned down in 1893; and was
reorganized at the turn-of-the-century by a Ladies’ Literary Society, which
operated a reading room and book-lending service in a series of storefronts
on lower Alvarado Street.
In 1906, the Library’s assets were turned over to the City. Five years
later, using funds from the Carnegie library building program, a new
residence for the Library was established at 425 Van Buren Street.
It was moved to its present location at the corner of Pacific and Madison
streets in 1952 when the Carnegie library was outgrown.
Over the years, the Monterey Public Library has perpetuated a long tradition
of affording “amusement, entertainment, and profit” by providing materials
and services which enrich the intellectual, recreational and cultural life
of the community.
The Library’s 150th anniversary will be celebrated throughout 1999 with
lectures, exhibits, special events, commemorative publications and, of
course, a gala party!
More information about the Library’s 150th anniversary will be announced as
plans develop. Stay tuned.
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