Characteristics

Prior to 1908 recipients of Carnegie grants had the freedom to build whatever kind of library structure they wanted. After that date, it was necessary for library plans to be submitted along with the application for funds. Part of the problem stemmed from the fact that libraries had not really been built very much before 1898. It was difficult to find an experienced architect in the field. To remedy this situation the Carnegie Foundation put together a "Notes on Library Buildings" and it was sent as a guide to communities requesting funds (Bobinski, p 58, 1969).

Suggestions in this leaflet included the preference in a small library for a rectangular structure, with a basement, and another floor. The ceilings should be 12 to 15 feet to better accommodate the bookstacks, a centrally located circulation desk and reading areas for adults and children were important too. In addition, fireplaces were discouraged because they took up valuable shelf space and no smoking area or room should be allowed.

Careful management of the Carnegie funds was necessary because requests for additional funds were often denied. In the case of the San Mateo Library the 1906 earthquake helped them receive additional funding.

The photo above shows a classic Carnegie Library with high ceilings and a centrally placed circulation desk. Their architectural advise seems to have been well chosen and, overall these libraries have aged well.

Library Donations - U.S.

Carnegie gave almost 90 percent of his fortune (about $350 million) to a number of different recipients. The amount he donated to libraries alone was $40 million between the years 1886 and 1919. A total of 2,500 libraries were funded around the world through his generosity. Distribution in the U.S. of Carnegie libraries can be seen in the map above.

In California the largest Carnegie grant went to San Francisco. They received $750,000, half of the money was to go towards branch libraries. The second largest recipient in the State was Los Angeles with $210,000 (also for branch libraries as well). Oakland was the third largest recipient in the state. They received $50,000 for their central library and an additional $140,000 for branches.

Andrew Carnegie

Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American industrialist turned philanthropist. He was one of the world's greatest advocates for public libraries. His advocacy did not end with his words, but a large portion of his fortune was spent on funding libraries all around the world. Without his generous donations the public libraries in America would not have been so widespread. He funded over 2,500 libraries spanning a period of almost 50 years. In America alone he funded 1,689 libraries. One of the reasons he was a strong supporter of libraries stemmed from his belief in self-improvement; he was a self-made man himself. This quote from Carnegie expresses his opinion well:

I choose free libraries as the best agencies for improving the masses of the people, because they give nothing for nothing. They only help those who help themselves. They never pauperize. They reach the aspiring and open to these treasures of the world--those stored up in books. A taste for reading drives out lower tastes.

His words echo the beliefs of that time period, including the woman's group that founded the San Mateo Public Library when they planned out their reading room in 1883.

In 1920 there were 142 Carnegie funded libraries in California. He might have been a somewhat controversial businessman, but he was generous with the profits he made. As a philanthropist he certainly deserves accolades. A final quote from Carnegie is evidence of this:

Surplus wealth is a sacred trust which its possessor is bound to administer in his lifetime for the good of the community.

He had risen up from humble origins in Scotland, where he was born in 1835. After immigrating to the U.S. he worked his way up with the help of a mentor. Thomas Scott was this mentor and an executive with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. His advise allowed Carnegie to eventually become owner of Carnegie Steel (late to become U.S. Steel). In today's dollars his total worth would be almost $300 billion. He died in 1919, but his legacy continues to benefit many, many people.

Adult Section

The adult sections of the library are quite impressive. There are comfortable chairs and good lighting throughout the different areas. Shelving is spaced well, providing the library with a spacious feel. When entering the main lobby on the right side there is an attractive hardwood and glass staircase leading to the mezzanine floor and the Periodical Reading Lounge. Other adult areas can be found on the second and third floors. There are various collections for specialized interests like the Business Center and the Biotech Center (see links in blog for additional information).

Some of the activities the Library sponsors are a book discussion group, Films@the Library, Biotechnology and Health lectures, and even concerts. There is also JobSeekers@Your Library. Volunteers are available to help patrons with job hunting and applying for jobs. These experienced volunteers have HR backgrounds.

As in most libraries, their website offers links to suggested reading lists. There is even a section on Staff Picks.

One of the great programs offered for both adults and their children is the Families for Literacy. By using group learning activities they improve the literacy of all members of a family. There is even a Bridges newsletter for this program and for the Project Read literacy program. Volunteers are welcome and tutor training workshops are available for interested individuals.

Children and Teen Section

The Children's section of the library is a spacious, light space. There are Booklists available for different age groups and Storytime for young children. For school age children there is an Infoseekers Resource Center. It is located on the Second Floor (the Children's section is on the First Floor) and offers assistance on researching assignments. Ten reserved computer stations are inside the Resource Center. They are not available for general use.


A separate section of the SMPL is reserved as a Teen Lounge. As in the rest of the library, there is natural light from large windows. An added convenience is its proximity to the library cafe. The website offers suggested reading lists for teens, but there is potential for greater teen outreach efforts overall.

Cafe

There is a cafe located on the fourth floor of the library. It offers coffee and other beverages, as well as sandwiches and pastries. The SMPL Main Branch has definitely followed the new trend in libraries, moving away from the traditional approach to a retail approach in attracting new customers.

Art Gallery Space

One of the unusual features of the library is the space it provides for displaying art. The first exhibit space is located on the first floor and is the hallway outside the main meeting room in the Library. There is a second space available along the cafe walls and the Teen Lounge. There is a Library Art Selection Committee (made up of members of the community and library staff) that meets twice a year. They select artwork that is representative of both the diversity of the community itself and offers different types of mediums. Artwork is exhibited for one month and can be available for sale if desired. The library website has a link providing guidelines and an application form.

The image above shows an Aragon High School photography exhibit in the Teen Lounge that was on display in February/March 2010.

101st Airborne

During the Vietnam War, the city of San Mateo adopted Alpha Company, 1-327 Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. The reason for this was to help with troop morale. Their support continued with San Mateo being the only city in the U.S. to hold a homecoming parade for returning veterans from the war. There is a permanent exhibit at the SMPL honoring them. In addition, there is some personal memorabilia on display from one of the troops who died in the war.

San Mateo

The city of San Mateo has a population of approximately 92,000. It is an affluent community located on the San Francisco Peninsula between San Francisco to the north and San Jose to the south. It was part of two original Spanish land grants, Rancho de las Pulgas and Rancho San Mateo. Changes came about when San Mateo became a stagecoach stop in 1849. There was a regular stagecoach run for many years between San Mateo and the coast. Further changes came with the advent of the railroad in 1861.

Beginning in the 1850s wealthy San Franciscans began seeking a warmer climate for summer retreats or even as a place to permanently relocate. This increased with the presence of the railroad. Neighboring cities like Hillsborough and Burlingame benefited from this exodus as well. One of the most famous former residents of San Mateo was the founder of the Bank of America, Amadeo Pietro Giannini.

Another important event in the City's history was the building of the Crystal Springs Dam in 1889. Not only did it provide employment opportunities, but it also provided a plentiful supply of safe drinking water. In this same year the Howard Estate was subdivided, this brought in the middle class. Two young entrepreneurs, Charles Kirkbride and Richard Jury, started the first successful newspaper "The Leader". With the increase in population the city became incorporated a few years later in 1894.

Demographics for the city, as of the 2000 census, are 66.2% White, 2.6% African American, 0.5% Native American, 15.1% Asian, 1.6% Pacific Islander, 20.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% from other races, and 5.0% from two or more races. There are programs and signage in Spanish, so the SMPL seems to do a decent job of serving this ethnic group. The annual household income is approximately $80,000 per year.