Berkeley Public Library

The Berkeley Public Library opened in 1893 on Shattuck Avenue with 264 books. In 1905, the library moved to a new brick building on Shattuck Avenue at 2090 Kittredge Street. The new library was funded by Andrew Carnegie and built on land donated by Rosa M. Shattuck, the widow of Francis K. Shattuck. Immediately following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and the resulting population surge from across the San Francisco Bay, the library opened four other branches around Berkeley. In 1930, the library was demolished and a new design from architect James W. Plachek was approved.{{cite web|url=https://berkeleyplaques.org/plaque/berkeley-public-library/ |title=Berkeley Public Library, Main Branch |website=Berkeley Plaques |date=|accessdate=2020-10-20}} Construction of the new building began in 1930.{{cite web|url=http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/ca2559/ |title=Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge Street, Berkeley, Alameda County, CA |website=Library of Congress |date=|accessdate=2020-10-20}} The new central library opened in 1931, where it remains.{{cite web|url=https://www.oaklandmagazine.com/March-2018/Fun-and-Funky-Downtown-Berkeley/ |title=Fun and Funky Downtown Berkeley |website=Oakland Magazine |date=2018-03-22|accessdate=2020-10-20}} It was renovated and reopened in 2002.{{cite web|title=History of the Berkeley Public Library|publisher=Berkeley Public Library Foundation|url=http://www.bplf.org/aboutlibrary_history.html|accessdate=2007-02-22|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060714070014/http://www.bplf.org/aboutlibrary_history.html|archivedate=2006-07-14}}

In 2011, the Berkeley Public Library began a series of renovations and expansions of its four neighborhood branches. It completed renovation of the Claremont and North Branches in 2012, the South Branch and Tool Lending Library in May 2013, and the West Branch library in December 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.berkeleyside.com/2013/12/12/new-7-5-million-west-branch-library-to-open-saturday/ |title=New $7.5M Berkeley West Branch library to open Saturday |website=Berkeleyside |date=2013-12-12 |accessdate=2020-10-20}} During construction, a bookmobile called the Branch Van parked near each location to conduct basic transactions and provide access to library collections in the local neighborhoods.{{citation needed|date=June 2023}}

On July 1, 2018, the Berkeley Public Library eliminated overdue fines for non-children's media; children's books were already fine-free.{{Cite web|url=https://www.berkeleyside.com/2018/06/08/berkeley-public-library-to-end-late-fees-for-teen-and-adult-books|title=Berkeley Public Library to end late fees for teen and adult books |last=Dinkelspiel |first=Frances |author-link=Frances Dinkelspiel |date=2018-06-08 |website=Berkeleyside |language=en-US |access-date=2019-03-08}} The Tool Lending Library followed suit on October 3, 2022.{{cite web |last1=Kwok |first1=Iris |title=Berkeley Tool Lending Library will end late fees, go fully fine-free |url=https://www.berkeleyside.org/2022/09/08/berkeley-public-library-end-late-fees-tool |website=Berkeleyside |access-date=13 June 2023 |date=8 September 2022}}

Also in 2018, Berkeley Public Library instituted the Easy Access Card, a library card available to persons without a fixed address.{{Cite web|url=http://www.libraryjournal.com/?detailStory=Berkeley-PL-Launches-Cards-for-Patrons-Without-Fixed-Address|title=Berkeley PL Launches Cards for Patrons Without Fixed Address|last=Peet|first=Lisa|website=The Library Journal|access-date=2019-03-08}}

All Berkeley Public Library branches have self-checkout machines. Patrons can use these to check out materials themselves by scanning the items and their library card. This checkout method works for all media—books, CDs, DVDs, etc.—and provides the patron with a receipt for the items. All branches still also offer checkout from library staff at circulation desks.{{citation needed|date=June 2023}}

Patrons can also request and renew books over the Internet from their homes, or over the telephone.{{cite web

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The Tool Lending Library opened in 1979 and is one of the nation's first such libraries.One in Ohio opened in 1976. It is located at the South Branch. To borrow tools, patrons must be over the age of 18 and be residents or property owners of the city of Berkeley.{{cite web| title =Tool Lending Library - How To Use It| publisher =Berkeley Public Library| url =http://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/services_and_resources/tool_lending_library/rules.php| accessdate =2007-07-31| url-status =dead| archiveurl =https://web.archive.org/web/20070720201433/http://berkeleypubliclibrary.org/services_and_resources/tool_lending_library/rules.php| archivedate =2007-07-20}}

Tool Lending Library offerings include basic hand tools, light power tools, and equipment: screwdrivers, various hammers, drills, biscuit jointers, string trimmers ("weed wackers") shovels, ladders, concrete mixers—and free advice. Lending times are seven days for manual items, and two days for power tools.

The primary Berkeley Public Library stands as the architectural creation of [https://pcad.lib.washington.edu/person/622/ James W. Plachek] (c.1885-1948), a locally renowned and versatile architect who played a pivotal role in shaping downtown Berkeley and its civic center between the two World Wars. A prominent example of Zig Zag Moderne, the library showcases the style's distinctive features, including modern materials, construction efficiency, and artistic excellence. Its significance extends beyond architectural merit, encompassing its harmonious integration with stylistically similar structures, exceptional state of preservation, and the groundbreaking 1973 restoration.

Constructed during the Great Depression, the library's realization was made possible through community support, drawing widespread attention and reflecting Berkeley's longstanding tradition of backing libraries. This tradition dates back to the Shattuck family donations of 1893 and 1903 and culminated in the overwhelming voter approval of a special post-Prop.13 library tax in 1980.

Berkeley's initial public library building, funded by a Carnegie grant in 1903, was designed by John Galen Howard, the Beaux Arts architect of the University of California. The library's expansion requests in 1913 and the subsequent voter-approved library building tax in 1921 and 1925 foreshadowed its need for growth. Despite the challenges posed by the Depression, Berkeley remained committed to the construction of a new library. In 1930, work commenced with the demolition of the 25-year-old Howard building, perceived as too small and stylistically outdated by progressive Berkeleyans.

James Plachek, a local civic and professional leader, emerged as the chosen architect for the project. His extensive involvement in Berkeley's civic affairs, coupled with his experience as an architect, made him a natural fit for the role. Plachek had previously designed branch libraries, including Tudor Revival and Spanish Colonial styles, as well as various city buildings such as schools, firehouses, and police stations. Notably, he was one of the few architects of his time to transition from period revival designs to the modern style.

The library's opening in 1931 garnered attention, with a 10-page lead article in the January 1931 Architect & Engineer praising its responsiveness to community needs, modernity, meaningful artistry, and structural simplicity. Plachek's comprehensive approach extended to the design of light fixtures, furniture, and hardware, all locally constructed.

Beyond its architectural significance, the library played a key role in the development of downtown Berkeley. In 1932, two adjacent structures, the U.A. Theater and a tiled store building were added, enhancing its integration into the Main Street setting. Today, the library anchors a de facto civic center, aligned with other prominent structures such as the post office, municipal offices, Veterans' Memorial, City Hall, and Plachek's police station, creating a cohesive urban ensemble.{{cite journal |title=Berkeley Public Library |journal=National Register of Historic Places |url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/4792e754-ce1d-4c17-96e7-3aa858ea3dee |access-date=December 3, 2023}}

Image:Berkeley Public Library corner pylon detail.jpg|Incised lettering above a fanciful Mayan rosette

Image:Berkeley Public Library side view.jpg|The Central Branch of Berkeley Public Library, renovated and reopened in 2002

Image:Berkeley Public Library South Branch, 2013.jpg|The South Branch, renovated in 2013

Image:BPL Tool Lending Library.jpg|The tool lending library at the South Branch

{{reflist}}

{{commons category|Berkeley Public Library}}

• {{Official website|http://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060714070014/http://www.bplf.org/aboutlibrary_history.html History of the Berkeley Public Library]
• {{HABS |survey=CA-2697 |id=ca2559 |title=Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge Street, Berkeley, Alameda County, CA |photos=48}} by William Porter, 27 data pages by Page & Turnbull, 1998

{{National Register of Historic Places in California}}

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Category:Library buildings completed in 1930

Category:Education in Berkeley, California

Category:Libraries in Alameda County, California

Category:Public libraries in California

Category:Libraries on the National Register of Historic Places in California

Category:National Register of Historic Places in Berkeley, California

Category:1930 in California

Category:Link+ libraries

Category:Art Deco architecture in California

Category:Government of Berkeley, California

Category:Historic American Buildings Survey in California

Category:Berkeley landmarks in Berkeley, California