San Diego Public Library

The San Diego Public Library was established on May 19, 1882, by an elected board of library trustees, one of whom was civic leader and philanthropist George Marston. The first location was rented space in the Commercial Bank building at Fifth and G streets, and the new library opened its doors to the public for the first time on July 15, 1882. San Diego was the first city west of the Mississippi River to receive a Carnegie Library grant. The grant was received in 1899 and the library built in 1902. The library moved to Eighth and E streets where the new Carnegie Library was constructed.[1]

A notable librarian during this period was Clara Estelle Breed (1906–1994), who served as children's librarian at the downtown branch and was appointed City Librarian in 1945, a post she held for 25 years. She founded numerous branch libraries and established the Serra Cooperative Library System, which allows users to borrow books from other libraries in San Diego and Imperial counties. She maintained contact with many Japanese American children when they were interned with their families during World War II; her correspondence with those children is now on display at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles.[2]

Over the years, many branch libraries have also been opened throughout the City.

The San Diego Public Library system currently consists of the Central Library, 35 branch libraries, and an adult literacy program office (READ/San Diego). Library cards are free to applicants who reside within the state of California or own property in the city of San Diego, and to men and women serving in the armed forces who are stationed within San Diego County. Library cards are permanent and must be renewed every two years. There is a $30 annual fee for a non-resident library card.

In October 2023, in honor of Banned Books Week, the San Diego Public Library partnered with Library Foundation SD and Books Unbanned to provide free digital library cards to anyone aged 12-26 in the United States, becoming the fifth library to do so.[10] Unlike other programs, this collection focuses on banned and restricted books, as opposed to the entire collection.[11]

On the third floor of the Central Library is the new Innovation Lab that was originally funded by a state Library Services and Technology Act grant in 2013, when the Central Library opened. Since then, thanks to donations from the community, the lab has expanded and added additional machines. The new space was funded in part by the California State Library. Available equipment and resources from the Innovation Lab include:

• 3D Printing & Scanning
• Silhouette Cameos/Vinyl Cutter
• Sewing & Embroidery Machines
• Milling Machine
• Laser Cutter
• Computers
• Maker Classes & Workshop

In fiscal year 2006, the Library system had a circulation of more than 7 million and more than 6 million visits by patrons.[12] The San Diego Public Library was one of the first major library systems in the United States to offer free wireless Internet access at all of its locations, including the Central Library and branch libraries.

While testing the Spirit of St. Louis airplane in San Diego, Charles Lindbergh used the resources at the San Diego Public Library to plot the course for his historic solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean.[13]

Renowned American sculptor Donal Hord bequeathed to the San Diego Public Library his lifelong collection of books and several sculptures in appreciation for the assistance he had received from library's staff over the years.[14]

Aside from the Central Library, the system includes the following 35 branches:[15][16]

• Althea Warren, head librarian, 1916–26

• Official website
• Carnegie Libraries in California
• Sullivan Family Baseball Research Center