The Beaumont Library District - 1909- 2011 - Beaumont, CA
Posted by: 
saopaulo1
N 33° 55.919 W 116° 58.872
11S E 501737 N 3754614
A timeline for the Beaumont Library from 1911 to 2011.
Waymark Code: WMWKYB
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 09/16/2017
Views: 0
This metal plaque is located in the side of the library. It tells the history of the library from 1909 to 2011.
January 1909: The Beaumont Woman's Club votes to work the establishment of a library.
March 11, 1909. The club appoints a five member committee to investigate the matter of opening a reading room.
November 1909: The club raises 71.00 dollars and collects 81 books by holding a Tag Day and an evening book party where the guest dressed like the characters of well known books.
August 12, 1911: The Gateway Gazette reports the Beaumont township was made a library district by a two to one vote. The results being 59 for and 27 against."
August 30, 1911. The first library trustee meeting held.
October 1 1911: Informal opening of the Beaumont Library District located in the two rooms on the ground floor of the Beaumont Bank Building on 5th and Egan. The Bank of Beaumont will host the library initial construction of a permanent site is complete.
May 6 1913: A resolution of the library trustees to accept Andrew Carnegie;s gift of $10,000 for the building of a library. The Beaumont community agrees to provide the building site, cover operation costs and open the library to the community.
September 5, 1913. An overwhelming majority of voters select the southeast corner of 8th and California as the ideal location for the library.
February 12 1914. Construction officially begins with the laying of a cornerstone.
June 16, 1914. New Carnegie Library building opens.
Year 1928: The reading room has been thoroughly renovated and the ground improved. The Beaumont library has become known as one of the best equipped in the county with the quality of its accessions equal to any.
Year 1934: A Federal Works Progress Administration sponsored mural is placed at the top of the stairs.
Year 1966: An addition is made to the back of the library and houses the information desk, offices and adult collection.
Year 1978: The news facade for the roof is designed and erected to solve problems with water drainage.
Year 1981: The friends of the library is organized. This hard working group generated financial aid to the library through sales and other activities. In 1981, the friends purchased a computer which will aid greatly in record keeping. Also purchased were a TV and VCR for use in the children's sections.
Year 1981: The heritage room is added on to the library with a gift from Laura May Stewart Fund.
Year 1990: Board of Trustees appoints its first professional librarian in the districts history.
Year 1992. First electronic catalog is made available to the public.
Year 2008: An elevator is added to the library to meet ADA requirements and the second floor restored.
Year 2008: 1978 roof facade is removed and the original parapet roofline is restored.
Year 2009: First self check machines installed.
Year 2010: New drought tolerant landscaping installed.
August 12, 2011: The Beaumont Library District celebrated 100 years of service.
Visit Instructions:At least one good photo you have personally obtained and a brief story of your visit. Any additions or corrections to the information about the Waymark (for instance, have the hours open to the public changed) will be greatly appreciated.