Libraries became popular in the 1880’s with reading rooms, some free and some private that charged a fee. In 1906 the city of Auburn approved the funding for a city library and in 1908 received a grant to build a Carnegie Library on Almond Street. In 1936 the County Library system was born. It was housed in the basement of the Carnegie building.
As usage increased the County Library moved to a new building on High Street in 1958. By 1961 talks began that considered combining the two libraries. It was not an easy yes for the Auburn City Library to agree to be taken over by the County. The merge finally took place in 1968, creating the Auburn-Placer County Library. There was a need for a new building. Land was chosen in North Auburn, on the edge of town, next to the County offices on Fulweiler St. After securing federal and state funds, the new library, which took 2 years to build, was ready to open on February 13, 1973. The grand opening had more than 1,000 in attendance along with Jane Mispley who was hired by the County Library in 1962.
What are some of your memories of your library?
Library’s Historical Mural
Be sure to check pictures from library photo albums taken over the past 50 years!
The mural is located by the entrance doors.