Facts about the Carnegie Library
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The correct name is Carnegie Historic Library. We are not a museum. We are a repository for the archival records of the City of Paso Robles and the North County.
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Additionally, we make available to the public, exhibits and displays on the main floor which showcase the history of the area. Exhibits change on a quarterly basis.
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Because of our location in the City Park, we are members of the Downtown Main Street Program and whenever possible we try to promote its events.
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The Carnegie Historic Library is the official home of El Paso de Robles Area Historical Society, which assumed stewardship of the building in 1995. The Historical Society is the caretaker of the Library for the City of Paso Robles, the building’s owner.
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The Library was originally constructed in 1908 as a “Carnegie Library.” It is a one-story masonry structure with a raised basement. The entry pediment and large, fluted columns set against the red brick walls provide an excellent example of the Classical Revival style popular throughout the region at the turn of the century. A stair and door to the basement was added in the front of the building in 1918 when an area of the basement previously used for storage was changed to a children’s reading room. A southern addition was built in 1939, increasing floor space on the main floor as well as providing public restrooms and storage space at the basement level. After the 2003 earthquake, the Carnegie Historic Library was closed for 7 years during which time the city made repairs to the earthquake damage and reconfigured the layout of the library to accommodate an elevator, additional restrooms, and provide handicapped access.
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The physical address of the Carnegie Historic Library is 1100 Spring Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446; the mailing address of the El Paso de Robles Area Historical Society is P.O. Box 2875, Paso Robles, CA 93447. The telephone number of the Historical Society and Carnegie Library is (805) 238-4996.
Andrew Carnegie (1835 – 1919)
History of Carnegie Libraries
Nineteenth-century steel magnate Andrew Carnegie saw a dire need in America for access to free library facilities. He was of the opinion that men of wealth had a civic and moral responsibility to provide for those individuals of lesser means. As a result of these observations and beliefs, Carnegie founded the Carnegie Corporation, whose mission was to build a public library in any city or town that was willing to tax itself each year at a rate of 10 percent of the value of the original donation to operate the library. Between 1886 and 1917, a total of 1,679 public libraries were built under the program. Carnegie Libraries are one of the most common public building types in the United States. Of similar style, layout, and architectural program, these buildings were constructed by local architects throughout the country. The libraries were a mix of high-style architecture and local building traditions or vernacular influences. Together, these building demonstrate one man’s philanthropic wishes and singularly, they represent the civic pride of each community fortunate enough to gain a free public library.
Local historians relate that a desire for a public library in Paso Robles was evident before the turn of the century when the Ladies Auxiliary of the Paso Robles Improvement Club established a reading room. The ladies later became the Board of Library Trustees and began corresponding with Andrew Carnegie’s office. In 1906 they learned that a grant would be forthcoming if they could provide a suitable building site and would be willing to pledge $1,000 per year to maintain the library. Upon receipt of the Carnegie grant, the Paso Robles Library Board entered into an agreement with William H. Weeks to design the library building. Plans were finalized and construction by R.O. Summers began in late 1907. The cornerstone was laid and the library was dedicated with much fanfare on June 19, 1908.
The architect of the Paso Robles Carnegie Library, William H. Weeks (1864-1936) was a pioneer California architect, and was one of the most well-known and prolific architects in Northern California during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Weeks designed a number of Carnegie Libraries and completed the Paso Robles Library in 1908. Constructed of a dark brick, it is contrasted by lighter stone quoining and cornices. The building is reminiscent of the neoclassical designs of many Carnegie Libraries across the country.
To commemorate the Library’s being named to the National Register of Historic Places by the United Stated Department of the Interior, National Park Service; the Carnegie Historic Library was re-dedicated to the community on June 19, 1998. The official plaque with the National Register number is mounted on the left-hand side of the main entry to the building.