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Some ideas for an independent library in Northwest Bakersfie
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Posted by lward Mon Nov 22, 2004 22:20:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments Since we've been toying with the notion of a free (independent) library for Northwest Bakersfield, I thought I'd do some special research on these types of libraries.

Interestingly enough, one of the most significant and well-known free libraries on the continent is located in California: the Huntington Library in San Marino.

This library was established in 1919 by railroad tycoon Henry E. Huntington and his wife, Arabella. Huntington was perhaps best known for building the Pacific Electric railroad, which linked hundreds of California towns. But then his interest turned to collecting books, especially rare books. He also built more than 150 acres of botanical gardens, which are famous the world over.

The Huntington Library now serves an impressive 20,000 school children in an average year. For information about a visit to this outstanding institution, go to http://www.hungtington.org/....

The Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore is one of the oldest independent libraries in the U.S.
On Jan. 21, 1882, Mr. Pratt offered a gift to the mayor and city council of Baltimore of a central library, four branches and an endowment of $833,333.33.

"My library," Pratt said, "shall be for all, rich and poor without distinction of race or color, who, when properly accredited, can take out the books if they will handle them carefully and return them."

Perhaps Mr. Pratt was ahead of his time. Information about the present library can be found at http://www.epfl.net/info/hi...

An interesting study is provided by the Brookhaven Free Library in New York, established on May 18, 1912, by a group of women from the hamlet of Brookhaven.

This library began as the Fireplace Literary Club with 16 charter members. The members acquired approximately 242 books from donations from private libraries.

By July of that year, there were anywhere from 400 to 500 books kept in the two-room schoolhouse that stood on the site where the present Brookhaven Elementary school building is located.

During the first World War, the collection was moved to the studio of Mr. Malcolm Fraser; in 1919, the collection was moved again, this time to the home of Mrs. Florence Gwynne.

Eventually, it was felt the library should have a permanent home, so Mr. and Mrs. James H. Post offered to give a plot of land and erect a library building. This offer was accepted and the main part of the present building was built.

From these humble beginnings was born a facility that now houses well over 30,000 items and describes itself as "a community-minded, family-oriented library that focuses on children's services and provides access to timely information technology and current materials for adults."

For more information about this library, go to http://www.suffolk.lib.ny.u...

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