Historically Speaking
Historically Speaking
Gilroy ’ s First Public Library
By Elizabeth Barrett
Photos Courtesy of the Gilroy Museum
In an era where Free Public Libraries were uncommon , organizations in small towns often formed proprietary or subscription library collections . Either the members exchanged books as a private club ( proprietary ) or individuals paid a regular fee to borrow books ( subscription .) In Gilroy there was no public library for decades following the town ’ s incorporation . In 1878 the Blue Ribbon Club , a local temperance league , established a book club . Even though visitors were offered free coffee and ice cream as an enticement , the venture lasted only a year . The society then combined its collection with the Good Templars , forming one of Gilroy ’ s first book circulating libraries , located inside a member ’ s home at Fifth and Rosanna Streets . By
1880 , the members had moved to a back room at A . R . Moore ’ s Photographic Gallery at Sixth and Monterey Streets for their lending library . Several other social clubs in Gilroy maintained small proprietary libraries , such as a YMCA Reading Room , established in January 1883 .
In 1895 , Miss Emily Wilson founded a readers ’ book exchange called the Reading Circle . The women-only group , which lasted until the mid-1950s , met in members ’ homes on a regular basis to hold literary discussions . Miss Wilson founded another ladies ’ club , the F . R . F . G . Study Club in 1898 . The 116 year-old group continues to meet biweekly in members ’ homes .
But still , a free public library , supported by taxes and open to all , remained out of reach to locals for decades . Elections to vote for a public library failed in 1890 and 1894 and by 1903 , the Gilroy Advocate Editor scolded readers , stating , “ Gilroy still needs a reference or lending library .”
In January 1906 , the Gilroy City Council finally adopted a resolution to establish a public library . The council wrote to other California cities that had received grants from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie , to inquire about the success of the undertaking . Gilroy Mayor Dunlap wrote to Carnegie himself , and received a favorable response . Library Trustees then applied for a grant . In March 1906 , Gilroy ’ s petition for $ 10,000 for a library building was approved .
Andrew Carnegie founded 1,681 public libraries across the United States between 1889 and 1923 . There were only two conditions placed on any community
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