Public Library

A branch of the San Mateo Public Library opened in the new Central School in 1916.

Three branches of the library were temporarily established in Camp Fremont (1917-1918).

Image 26:1597

The library moved to the Menlo Park (Kuck) hotel in 1926 (1-yr prior to the City's incorporation) and moved again in 1935 to the City Administrative building on Doyle St.

In the period 1939-48, when City Hall was at 1090 El Camino ("BBC" bldg), the library was on the mezzanine floor (mezzanine recently demolished).

In 1948, following the city’s purchase of xx acres of the recently-closed Dibble Hospital site to create a new civic center, the city hall and administrative functions moved into former Dibble Hospital buildings on the site, while the library moved into its own building (rented) at 631 Menlo Ave (see online photo 35:1574), across from today's Chef Kwan's (original Little House site). The library, which formerly had been staffed only by volunteers, was given its first professional librarian at this location.

Image 35:1574 Menlo Park Library 631 Menlo Avenue (1948-1957)

In 1956, Menlo Park residents approved a bond issue for the construction of a library building at the new civic center. A one-story ranch style building was designed by Kingsford Jones, a Menlo Park architect. The position of city librarian was created and the salary paid from city funds. The library was to be jointly administered with the county, but in 1961 the municipal library took over full administration by assuming the salaries of all employees.

Image 35:1575 Menlo Park Library 800 Alma Street (1957) - the entrance was on the SE side as it is today (2016)

The new library building (5,500 square feet) was opened in the newly acquired civic center in 1957. In 1964 the Menlo Park Public Library became an independent municipal library with the county continuing to provide certain services.

A new bond issue was approved in 1966, resulting in an increase of the library’s size to about 18,000(?) square feet when construction was completed in 1968. A second expansion of the main library to about 34,000 square feet was completed in 1992, and a branch of about 3,800 square feet was opened on the campus of the Belle Haven Community School in 1999.

2016 is the centennial of the Menlo Park Library

References:

1) At 100 Menlo Park Library pivots to face 21st century, Kate Bradshaw, The Almanac Online (June 15, 2016).