List of Carnegie libraries in California facts for kids

Andrew Carnegie was a very rich businessman who believed in helping people learn and grow. He spent a lot of his money building libraries all over the world! These libraries are called Carnegie libraries.

In California, Andrew Carnegie helped build 142 public libraries. He gave money for these libraries between 1899 and 1917. He also helped build two libraries at colleges. This list tells you about these special buildings in California.

What the Colors Mean

To help you understand what happened to these libraries, we use different colors:       Building still operating as a library
      Building standing, but now serving another purpose
      Building no longer standing
      Building listed on the National Register of Historic Places
      Building contributes to a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places

Public Libraries

	Library	City or town	Picture	Year Built	Money Given	Location	What Happened to It
1	Alameda	Alameda		Oct 3, 1899	$35,000	2264 Santa Clara Ave, Alameda, CA 94105 37°45′57″N 122°14′37″W / 37.76583°N 122.24361°W / 37.76583; -122.24361 (Alameda Free Library)	This beautiful building opened in 1903. It was a public library until 1998. It has been empty since then.
2	Alturas	Alturas		Nov 20, 1908	$10,000	201 S. Court St, Alturas, CA 96101 41°29′3″N 120°32′27″W / 41.48417°N 120.54083°W / 41.48417; -120.54083 (Alturas Carnegie Library)	This building opened in 1918. It was a library until 1947 and now holds law offices.
3	Anaheim	Anaheim		Feb 6, 1907	$10,000	241 S. Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92805 33°50′3″N 117°54′49″W / 33.83417°N 117.91361°W / 33.83417; -117.91361 (Anaheim Carnegie Library)	This building opened in 1909. It was a library until 1963 and has been the Anaheim Museum since 1987.
6	Azusa	Azusa		Dec 24, 1908	$10,000	213 E Foothill Blvd, Azusa, CA 91702 34°8′6″N 117°54′20″W / 34.13500°N 117.90556°W / 34.13500; -117.90556 (Azusa Carnegie Library)	This building was the library from 1910 to 1959. It was torn down in 1959 to build a new City Hall.
7	Bayliss District	Bayliss		Jan 5, 1916	$4,000	7830 County Rd 39, Glenn, CA 95943 39°34′58″N 122°2′48″W / 39.58278°N 122.04667°W / 39.58278; -122.04667 (Bayliss District Library)	This library opened in 1917 and is still a library today. It's one of the most rural Carnegie libraries in the country.
8	Beaumont	Beaumont		Apr 28, 1913	$10,000	125 E 8th St, Beamont, CA 92223 33°55′56″N 116°58′52″W / 33.93222°N 116.98111°W / 33.93222; -116.98111 (Beaumont District Library)	Opened in 1914, this building has always been a library for the Beaumont area. It had additions in 1966 and 1981.
9	Berkeley	Berkeley		Feb 12, 1903	$40,000	Shattuck Ave. and Kittridge St. 37°52′5″N 122°16′7″W / 37.86806°N 122.26861°W / 37.86806; -122.26861 (Berkeley Carnegie Library)	This library opened in 1905 but was torn down in 1929. It was the first Carnegie library in California to be demolished.
11	Calexico	Calexico		Mar 16, 1915	$10,000	420 Heber Ave, Calexico, CA 92231 32°40′10″N 115°29′33″W / 32.66944°N 115.49250°W / 32.66944; -115.49250 (Calexico Library)	After being empty for some years, this library was fully restored. It is now part of the Calexico Public Library system and is used as a computer lab.
12	Chico	Chico		Jan 7, 1904	$10,000	141 Salem St, Chico, CA 95928 39°43′45″N 121°50′32″W / 39.72917°N 121.84222°W / 39.72917; -121.84222 (Chico Library)	This building now houses the Chico Museum.
16	Colton	Colton		Apr 10, 1906	$10,000	380 N La Cadena Dr, Colton, CA 92324 34°4′7″N 117°19′25″W / 34.06861°N 117.32361°W / 34.06861; -117.32361 (Colton Library)	This building is now the Colton Museum. It was carefully restored in 1982.
17	Colusa	Colusa		Jan 19, 1905	$10,000	260 6th St, Colusa, CA 95932 39°12′49″N 122°0′35″W / 39.21361°N 122.00972°W / 39.21361; -122.00972 (Colusa Library)	This building now houses the Colusa Police Department.
23	Dixon	Dixon		Nov 21, 1911	$10,000	135 E B St, Dixon, CA 95620 38°26′48″N 121°49′19″W / 38.44667°N 121.82194°W / 38.44667; -121.82194 (Dixon Library)	This building is now the Dixon Unified School District Library. It's one of only three Carnegie libraries in California built for a high school district.
24	Eagle Rock	Eagle Rock		Mar 11, 1914	$7,500	2225 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041 34°8′22″N 118°12′53″W / 34.13944°N 118.21472°W / 34.13944; -118.21472 (Eagle Rock Library)	This building opened in 1915. It is now the Center for the Arts Eagle Rock.
28	Eureka	Eureka		Oct 3, 1901	$20,000	636 F St, Eureka, CA 95501 40°48′2″N 124°9′52″W / 40.80056°N 124.16444°W / 40.80056; -124.16444 (Eureka)	This building was restored and is now The Morris Graves Museum of Art.
30	Ferndale	Ferndale		Mar 21, 1908	$8,000	807 Main St, Ferndale, CA 95536 40°34′47″N 124°15′35″W / 40.57972°N 124.25972°W / 40.57972; -124.25972 (Ferndale)	This is the only Carnegie Library in northwestern California that is still used as a library today.
31	Fresno	Fresno		Feb 14, 1901	$30,000	1330 Broadway Street, Fresno CA 93721	This was one of the earliest and most expensive Carnegie libraries. It was torn down in 1959.
33	Gilroy	Gilroy		Mar 12, 1906	$10,000	195 5th St, Gilroy, CA 95020 37°0′28″N 121°34′18″W / 37.00778°N 121.57167°W / 37.00778; -121.57167 (Gilroy Library)	This building used to be the Gilroy Free Library. It is now the Gilroy Historical Museum and looks almost the same as it did originally.
35	Grass Valley	Grass Valley		Jan 6, 1915	$15,000	207 Mill St, Grass Valley, CA 95945 39°13′0″N 121°3′47″W / 39.21667°N 121.06306°W / 39.21667; -121.06306 (Grass Valley Library)	This library has a red brick front with white columns.
37	Hanford	Hanford		Mar 20, 1903	$12,500	109 East Eighth St, Hanford, CA 93230 36°19′39″N 119°38′43″W / 36.32750°N 119.64528°W / 36.32750; -119.64528 (Hanford Library)	This building has been the Hanford Carnegie Museum since 1974.
39	Healdsburg	Healdsburg		Aug 31, 1909	$10,000	221 Matheson St, Healdsburg, CA 95448 38°36′40″N 122°52′2″W / 38.61111°N 122.86722°W / 38.61111; -122.86722 (Healdsburg Library)	A new library was built in 1988. This old building now serves as the Healdsburg History Museum.
41	Hollister	Hollister		Apr 16, 1910	$10,000	375 Fifth St, Hollister, CA 95023 36°51′4″N 121°24′12″W / 36.85111°N 121.40333°W / 36.85111; -121.40333 (Hollister Library)	This building is now the Hollister City Hall.
45	Inglewood	Inglewood		Nov 9, 1916	$10,000	101 S Grevillea Ave 33°57′42″N 118°21′17″W / 33.96167°N 118.35472°W / 33.96167; -118.35472	This library was badly damaged in an earthquake in 1933. It was torn down in 1967 after a new library was built nearby.
46	Lakeport	Lakeport		Nov 17, 1914	$8,000	200 Park St, Lakeport, CA 95453 39°2′35″N 122°54′50″W / 39.04306°N 122.91389°W / 39.04306; -122.91389 (Lakeport Library)	This building now houses scientists from U.C. Davis who research Clear Lake.
47	Lincoln	Lincoln		Dec 13, 1907	$6,000	590 5th St, Lincoln, CA 95648 38°53′31″N 121°17′28″W / 38.89194°N 121.29111°W / 38.89194; -121.29111 (Lincoln Library)	This building is still the Lincoln Public Library. It was built with special bricks and tiles from a famous company called Gladding, McBean.
48	Livermore	Livermore		Aug 5, 1909	$10,000	2155 3rd St, Livermore, CA 94550 37°40′46″N 121°46′7″W / 37.67944°N 121.76861°W / 37.67944; -121.76861 (Livermore Library)	This building is now a museum, the Livermore Heritage Guild History Center. It's known for its "temple in the park" look and yellow bricks from a nearby factory.
50	Lompoc	Lompoc		Dec 13, 1909	$10,000	200 South H St, Lompoc, CA 93436 34°38′13″N 120°27′27″W / 34.63694°N 120.45750°W / 34.63694; -120.45750 (Lompoc Library)	This building is now the Lompoc Museum, which shows local history and old artifacts. It's a historical landmark in Lompoc.
54	Los Angeles Cahuenga Branch	Los Angeles		Jan 31, 1911	—	4591 W Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029 34°5′27″N 118°17′20″W / 34.09083°N 118.28889°W / 34.09083; -118.28889 (Los Angeles Cahuenga Branch Library)	This library is still open and serving the community.
55	Los Angeles Lincoln Heights	Los Angeles		Jan 31, 1911	—	2530 Workman St, Los Angeles, CA 90031 34°4′34″N 118°12′50″W / 34.07611°N 118.21389°W / 34.07611; -118.21389 (Los Angeles Lincoln Heights Library)	This library is still open and serving the community.
56	Los Angeles Vermont Square	Los Angeles		Jan 31, 1911	—	1201 W 48th St, Los Angeles, CA 90037 33°59′59″N 118°17′45″W / 33.99972°N 118.29583°W / 33.99972; -118.29583 (Los Angeles Vermont Square Library)	This library is still open and serving the community.
63	Nevada City	Nevada City		Mar 20, 1904	$10,000	211 N Pine St, Nevada City, CA 95959	This building is now the Doris Foley Library for Historical Research. It's part of the historic downtown area.
66	Oakland Main	Oakland		Aug 23, 1899	$190,000	659 14th St, Oakland, CA 94612	This was the main Oakland library from 1902 to 1951. It now houses the African American Museum and Library at Oakland.
67	Oakland Golden Gate	Oakland		Aug 23, 1899	—	5606 San Pablo Ave, Oakland, CA 94608	This library is still open and serving the community.
68	Oakland Melrose	Oakland		Aug 23, 1899	—	4805 Foothill Blvd, Oakland, CA 94601	This library is still open and serving the community.
70	Oakland Temescal	Oakland		Aug 23, 1899	—	5205 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609	This library is still open and serving the community.
74	Orosi	Orosi		Sep 14, 1917	$3,000	12646 Ave 416, Orosi, CA 93647	This was the very last Carnegie library finished in California. It is still the Orosi/Cutler Branch Library.
75	Oroville	Oroville		May 2, 1911	$10,000	1675 Montgomery St, Oroville, CA 95965	This building is now the Butte County Public Law Library.
76	Oxnard	Oxnard		Feb 13, 1906	$12,000	424 South C St, Oxnard, CA 93030	This building is now the Carnegie Art Museum. It was the first California Carnegie library to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
77	Pacific Grove	Pacific Grove		Mar 12, 1906	$10,000	550 Central Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950	This library officially opened in 1908 and is still a library today.
79	Paso Robles	Paso Robles		Dec 13, 1906	$10,000	Paso Robles City Park, 800 12th St, Paso Robles, CA 93446 35°37′34″N 120°41′24″W / 35.62611°N 120.69000°W / 35.62611; -120.69000 (Paso Robles Carnegie Library)	Since 1998, this building has housed the El Paso de Robles Area Historical Society Museum.
81	Petaluma	Petaluma		Jan 13, 1903	$12,500	20 4th St, Petaluma, CA 94952	This building now houses the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum.
82	Pomona	Pomona		Jan 23, 1902	$25,000	380 North Main Street, Pomona (former site)	This library opened in 1903 and was expanded twice. It was closed and torn down in 1965.
86	Richmond	Richmond		Jan 14, 1909	$17,500	400 Nevin Ave, Richmond, CA 94801	This building is now the Richmond Museum.
87	Riverbank	Riverbank		Jun 6, 1917	$3,000	3237 Santa Fe St, Riverbank, CA 95367	This building is now the Riverbank Historic Museum.
88	Riverside	Riverside		Aug 16, 1901	$52,500		This was California's first Carnegie library built in the Mission Revival style. It was torn down in 1964.
89	Roseville	Roseville		Apr 25, 1911	$10,000	557 Lincoln St, Roseville, CA 95678	This building is now a museum.
90	Sacramento	Sacramento		Feb 26, 1914	$100,000	828 I St, Sacramento, CA 95814	This building is still part of the Sacramento Public Library system.
94	San Diego	San Diego		Jul 7, 1899	$60,000		San Diego received the first Carnegie grant in California. This large library opened in 1902 but was torn down in 1952.
95	San Francisco Main	San Francisco		Jun 20, 1901	$375,000	Civic Center, 200 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94102	This library was open from 1917 to 1995. It now houses the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco.
96	San Francisco Chinatown	San Francisco		Jun 20, 1901	—	1135 Powell St, San Francisco, CA 94108	This library, originally called the North Beach branch, opened in 1921 and is still a library today.
97	San Francisco Golden Gate Valley	San Francisco		Jun 20, 1901	—	1801 Green St, San Francisco, CA 94123	This library opened in 1918 and is still a library today.
98	San Francisco Mission	San Francisco		Jun 20, 1901	—	3359 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110	This library opened in 1915 and is still a library today.
99	San Francisco Noe Valley	San Francisco		Jun 20, 1901	—	451 Jersey St, San Francisco, CA 94114	This library opened in 1916 and is still a library today.
100	San Francisco Presidio	San Francisco		Jun 20, 1901	—	3150 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94115	This library opened in 1921 and is still a library today. It also has the city's only Library for the Blind.
101	San Francisco Richmond	San Francisco		Jun 20, 1901	—	351 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94118	This was the first Carnegie branch library to open in San Francisco, in 1914. It is still a library today.
102	San Francisco Sunset	San Francisco		Jun 20, 1901	—	1305 18th Ave, San Francisco, 94122	This library opened in 1918 and is still a library today.
104	San Jose East	San Jose		Mar 8, 1901	—	1102 E Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95116	This library is still open and serving the community.
106	San Luis Obispo	San Luis Obispo		Feb 12, 1903	$10,000	696 Monterey St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401	This building is now the San Luis Obispo County History Center and Museum.
109	San Rafael	San Rafael		Dec 20, 1904	$25,000	1100 E St, San Rafael, CA 94901	This building is now a wing of the current San Rafael Public Library.
112	Santa Barbara	Santa Barbara		May 8, 1914	$50,000	40 E Anapamu St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101	This building is still the Santa Barbara Public Library.
113	Santa Cruz Main	Santa Cruz		Feb 15, 1902	$29,000	224 Church St	Andrew Carnegie himself visited this library in 1910! It was torn down in 1966 and replaced by the current building.
114	Santa Cruz East Cliff	Santa Cruz		Feb 15, 1902	—	1305 E Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95062	This building is now the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History.
116	Santa Cruz Garfield Park	Santa Cruz		Feb 15, 1902	—	705 Woodrow Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060	This building is still a Santa Cruz Library branch.
119	Santa Monica Ocean Park	Santa Monica		Apr 13, 1903	—	2601 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405	This building is still an active branch of the Santa Monica Public Library.
124	South Pasadena	South Pasadena		Dec 13, 1906	$18,600–1906, $6600–1916	1100 Oxley Str, South Pasadena, CA 91030	This is still the South Pasadena Public Library. It was one of the few libraries Andrew Carnegie visited on his trip to California in 1910.
125	South San Francisco	South San Francisco		May 8, 1914	$10,000	306 Walnut Ave, South San Francisco, CA 94080	This building is the Grand Avenue Branch of the South San Francisco Public Library.
126	St. Helena	St. Helena		Dec 13, 1906	$8,362	1360 Oak Avenue, St. Helena, CA 94574	This building was a public library from 1908 to 1978. It is now a community center.
128	Turlock	Turlock		Jun 1, 1915	$9,200	250 N Broadway Ave, Turlock, CA 95380	This historic building was damaged by fire, but its walls are still standing. It is being restored and will become the Carnegie Arts Center.
130	Upland	Upland		May 2, 1911	$10,000	123 East D St, Upland, CA 91786	This building is now a community center.
138	Willits	Willits		Dec 8, 1913	$8,000	85 E Commercial St, Willits, CA 95490	This building is now Willits Community Television.
139	Willows	Willows		Feb 12, 1910	$10,000	336 W Walnut St, Willows, CA 95988	This building is now the Willows Museum.
140	Woodland	Woodland		Feb 20, 1903	$22,000	250 First St., Woodland, CA 95695	This building housed two different libraries from 1915 to 1979. It is still a public library today.
141	Yolo	Yolo		Sep 14, 1917	$3,000	37750 Sacramento St, Yolo, CA 95697	This library is still open and serving the community.
142	Yreka	Yreka		Mar 14, 1913	$8,000	412 West Miner St, Yreka, CA 96097	This building is currently empty. It might be turned into public and office spaces in the future.

Academic Libraries

Andrew Carnegie also helped build libraries at colleges. Here are the two academic libraries he funded in California:

	Institution	City or town	Picture	Year Built	Money Given	Location	What Happened to It
1	Mills College Margaret Carnegie Library Building	Oakland		Apr 18, 1905	$20,000	The Oval, Mills College, Oakland, CA 94613	This building was a library from 1906 to 1989. It is now used for college offices and a reading room upstairs. It was named after Andrew Carnegie's daughter.
2	Claremont/Pomona College	Claremont		Mar 15, 1905	$40,000	Pomona College, Claremont, CA 91711	This building has housed Pomona College offices and classrooms since 1953. Carnegie gave money for this library if the college could raise the same amount to keep it running.