HomeMy WebLinkAboutSLO What FEB 2016
HISTORY of SAN LUIS OBISPO
History of San Luis Obispo 34
Joseph A. Carotenuti
City Historian/Archivist
With the completion of the imposing Andrews Banking Company building on the corner of Osos and Monterey Streets,
the ultimate icon of an “enlightened” community – a library – had a home. So enthusiastic…and confident…of its
success, the library supporters leased the upper floor for 20 years! With an annual rent of $125, the 800 square foot room
provided “commodious and elegant quarters.” All too familiar in the saga of local libraries, the space proved inadequate
and the first library will move half way through its lease.
On June 15, 1894, a reception was held to celebrate the generosity of book donors and to solicit subscriptions (fifty cents
monthly but only from those of “good character”). For $50, a life membership was possible with over 30 subscribers
including Phoebe Hearst, mother of William Randolph - who would build his own library (and them some!) further north
on the Enchanted Hill.
The Rev. Robert W. Summers was appointed the first librarian for the 768-book collection that more than doubled by the
end of the year. Today, some of his and his wife’s collections of native artifacts are housed in the British Museum. The
Episcopal priest is an interesting stud y for another time but, for now, he also used the library to display some of his
discoveries among the books. Open daily in the afternoons and evenings for six hours (only afternoons on Sunday),
business for the first year was quite brisk. When funds becam e scarce (an on-going issue for libraries), evening hours
were eliminated to save on electricity. True to their civic determination, after the New Year, an “entertainment” was held
and $223 netted for book purchases.
Not to be mistaken as simply a place to go for free books, the library as stated in its Constitution was also “a museum
and reading room” – a cultural center - for the small city. An evening of Shakespeare included prizes for
characterizations, a guitar duet, singing and refreshments. Larger community events (admission: 25 cents) for the
library’s benefit provided a program of local talent performing songs, “comic recitations” and violin and coronet solos as
well as selections by the mandolin and guitar.
A most interesting fund-raiser was held in the summer of 1896 with an excursion to the Sycamore Hot Springs. Besides
dancing, clam chowder and coffee were provided with the proviso: “The ladies (Trustees) will furnish cups…but each
participant is expected to furnish his own spoon.” The community affair - many merchants agreed to close their shops
early on the day of the excursion – allowed once again keeping the library open during some evenings. The Tribune
complimented the ladies from rescuing the library from a “condition of collapse.”
Possibly…..
While the collection, patrons and enthusiasm grew, the semi-private collection became the City and County’s first free
library the next year. It lasted for three quarters of a century.
Contact: jacarotenuti@gmail.com 2/2016