Yolo Branch Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Yolo Branch Library
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 Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | 200 Sacramento St., Yolo, California |
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| Built | 1918 |
| Architect | WH Weeks |
| Architectural style | Bungalow/Craftsman |
| MPS | California Carnegie Libraries MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 90001810 |
| Added to NRHP | December 10, 1990 |
The Yolo Branch Library is a special building in Yolo, California. It's a library that helps everyone in the community. This library is a type called a Carnegie library. It was built in 1918 and designed by WH Weeks. It's also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site. What's really cool is that it's one of the few Carnegie libraries still used as a library today!
Contents
History of the Yolo Branch Library
How the Library System Started
In 1910, Yolo County created its own library system. The town of Yolo was one of the first places to get a library branch. People wanted to get money from Andrew Carnegie to build a new library. He had recently given money for the Woodland Public Library nearby.
Getting Money from Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie was a very rich man. He gave a lot of money to build libraries across the country. One of his helpers, James Bertram, thought Yolo County had already received enough money. But the Yolo County librarian kept trying to get funding.
The Fight for Funding
The county librarian sent about 20 letters to James Bertram. Finally, in 1917, Carnegie offered $3,000 to build a new library branch. This was a big deal!
A New Challenge
Once Bertram found out the library would be in Yolo, he objected again. He thought Yolo was too close to the library that had already received money. But the people of Yolo defended their need. They explained that their current library was old. They also said it served many people in the countryside.
Building the New Library
Local residents worked together to raise money. They collected $300 to buy the land for the new library. William Henry Weeks was chosen as the architect. He had also designed the Woodland Public Library.
Opening Day and Beyond
The Yolo Branch Library officially opened in 1918. It has been open ever since! The designs for this library were so good, they were used again. A similar library was built in Santa Cruz, California. It was for the Santa Cruz Eastside branch library.
