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Controversial downtown library building turns 55
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On June 28, 1954, the San Diego Public Library at 820 E Street opened its doors for the first time. Festivities attracted a polite crowd of about a hundred that spilled out into the street, mostly men in suits. It was a proud day for the city whose population had yet to reach the half-million mark.A half-century later, the exterior remains exactly the same down to the flowerpots on the sill of the third floor. While many aren’t as proud of the building today, it still serves the growing needs of a city that has tripled in size. An embarrassment to some, it’s a necessity to others, even in the digital age.
Whether it’s to use the computer, hear a lecture, or browse the new book releases, the location is still the literary and information hub of the city with almost 800,000 volumes of books, the largest of any library south of Los Angeles. Unfortunately, due to space limitations, 60% of the library’s books are held in storage located in the building basement.
The library receives 1,300 newspapers and magazines from around the world. It’s a repository for millions of government documents, and the holder of historical archives.
To many, the current building reached it’s maximum potential many years ago and should be replaced. Citing lack of space, no parking, and old plumbing, the call for a replacement library building goes back decades.
Currently the plan is for a 9-story edifice on Park Boulevard, a move that would place the library closer to Petco Park. The cost to build the new library is estimated at $185 million. The new building will more than double available space from 144,000 to 366,000 square feet. The book collection could double and be accessible at the same time. Seats to read the books will triple from 409 to 1200.
The number of computers will also quadruple, and literary services expanded. Areas will be provided for children and teens. The most recent talk is to have a charter school occupy several floors of the library. This would help defray the cost, which is split between state, city, and private donations. The city must have a viable plan in place by July 1 or loose $20 million from the state.
Perhaps the most welcomed feature of the new building will be the 500 parking spaces available. The current library has no parking spaces. Library users must use metered parking. A parking lot is provided for on weekends only.
Historically, the library has been a part of San Diego since the city’s inception. City founder Alonzo Horton donated half his personal collection of books to the San Diego Free Reading Room in the early 1870’s.
Later, in 1901, San Diego received a $50,000 donation from Andrew Carnegie and built a stand-alone granite structure on E Street between 8th and 9th Streets. The building served the community until the current building was erected in 1954.
Over a century since the Carnegie library was built and the crowds still come, waiting anxiously for the doors to open.
For Additional Information
Library Website
Pre-Carnegie history
New library statistical comparison to the old – in Adobe format
Information about new library
Photograph of grand opening
Questions or Suggestions? Please email Ken at brantingham1@earthlink.net
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