HomeMy WebLinkAboutSLO What March 2016
HISTORY of SAN LUIS OBISPO
History of San Luis Obispo
Joseph A. Carotenuti
City Historian/Archivist
Over the past few months, the library has been the center of attention in the history of SLO in the last years of the
nineteenth century. As the century drew to a close, on September 21, 1897, the City Council assumed responsibility
for the small 2000 volume collection. It was a momentous step in the community’s life. Now, the library was
integrated into the city’s official consciousness requiring taxpayers to contribute to the collection and personnel. In
other words, along with streets and sanitation, public safety and public education, the advancement of literacy was
a municipal value. The City took its new role seriously as within a few months as Ordinance 99 made it a
misdemeanor punishable with fines up to $100 for anyone violating library rules.
Nonetheless, this focus shouldn’t eclipse the evolution of the larger community as family life, business, education
and civic changes and improvements all existed then (and now) side by side and often intersecting as life isn’t lived
in convenient paragraphs of progress.
Any library – more accurately, its concept and development – reflects its community. Yes, there were even
wrongdoers (exceeded the due date) who are required to pay a penalty. Admittedly, two cents a day was not
excessively punitive, but offenders with continual, blatant abuse of library “privileges” could be barred from its
services! Unlike more intense criminal activity (a discussion later), inside a library was a civic sanctuary from the
noise and irritation on the outside.
To oversee the operation of the now free public library, the City Council appointed a Library Board of
Trustees…all women who would stand for election the next year. Considering the ladies were not eligible to vote
for themselves - or anyone else - after the first election, the Library Trustees were appointed. It would be over 10
years before there was a male appointment. There is much to say about the decision to appoint only women to the
task but it is doubtful the men fully comprehended what the ladies would do in addition to being faithful guardians
of the growing collection. They were also involved in the suffrage and temperance movement. We’ll look at some
of the extra-curricular political activities at a later date.
The Rev. Robert Summers continued as librarian until 1898. Upon his demise, a most famous lady assumed
guardianship of the collection. Francis Margaret Milne began her ten year tenure but today is most noted for her
poetry. Still in print, she wrote for a different generation and era, but as with all quality poetry, is ageless. Included
in her duties, she compiled a yearly report for City officials. These documents from 1901 to 1934 are part of the
City Clerk Archives and provide an invaluable insight into the library as it struggled to meet patron needs as well as
budget restraints.
In addition to funding requests, the Trustees requested such mundane items as a step-ladder and swivel chair.
However, Then, as now, space was a continuing concern as second floor of the Andrews Building soon became an
issue. The answer came not from the City fathers but from a Scottish immigrant.
Contact: jacarotenuti@gmail.com
3/2016