Would it be helpful to understand what the original construction and rental/use agreements were for the Sebastopol library?
The original Sebastopol public library was funded by a $7500 Carnegie grant in 1916 and dedícated on June 4, 1917, operating under standard Carnegie municipal agreements requiring the town to provide the site free, public access, and an annual maintenance budget equal to 10% of the grant.
Original grant and construction:
The land designated on the original 1871 parcel map first housed a schoolhouse and later Lincoln Hall (a meeting place, early town hall, and community center). The original library was designed by Petaluma architect Brainerd Jones as a simple Classical Revival building.
Use and agreement terms:
* Carnegie mandate: Under the terms of the original 1916 Carnegie foundation agreement, the City of Sebastopol was (is?) legally bound to furnish the land for the building and pledge an annual tax or public maintenance fund of at least 10% of the value of the grant ($750 per year) to support ongoing operation, staffing and book purchases.
* Free public access: The agreement explicitly dictated that the building remain a free public library dedicated to the local community.
* Evolution of the site: After the original building was damaged and deemed too costly to repair after the 1969 earthquake, it was demolished in 1975. A new facility was constructed on the same historic civic-use parcel in 1974-1976.
I appreciate the work being done to remedy the problem. I love living in a town in which the community highly values and frequently utilizes the library!
This library serves a much larger area than just the town! Large numbers of West County resident users, like me in Bodega Bay, are very anxious for the return to full service. And appreciate the "to go" services currently available. Seems appropriate for the county library commission to contribute more towards maintenance of the current facility moving forward.
Would it be helpful to understand what the original construction and rental/use agreements were for the Sebastopol library?
The original Sebastopol public library was funded by a $7500 Carnegie grant in 1916 and dedícated on June 4, 1917, operating under standard Carnegie municipal agreements requiring the town to provide the site free, public access, and an annual maintenance budget equal to 10% of the grant.
Original grant and construction:
The land designated on the original 1871 parcel map first housed a schoolhouse and later Lincoln Hall (a meeting place, early town hall, and community center). The original library was designed by Petaluma architect Brainerd Jones as a simple Classical Revival building.
Use and agreement terms:
* Carnegie mandate: Under the terms of the original 1916 Carnegie foundation agreement, the City of Sebastopol was (is?) legally bound to furnish the land for the building and pledge an annual tax or public maintenance fund of at least 10% of the value of the grant ($750 per year) to support ongoing operation, staffing and book purchases.
* Free public access: The agreement explicitly dictated that the building remain a free public library dedicated to the local community.
* Evolution of the site: After the original building was damaged and deemed too costly to repair after the 1969 earthquake, it was demolished in 1975. A new facility was constructed on the same historic civic-use parcel in 1974-1976.
$750 in 1916 is ~$23,048 in 2026.
I appreciate the work being done to remedy the problem. I love living in a town in which the community highly values and frequently utilizes the library!
This library serves a much larger area than just the town! Large numbers of West County resident users, like me in Bodega Bay, are very anxious for the return to full service. And appreciate the "to go" services currently available. Seems appropriate for the county library commission to contribute more towards maintenance of the current facility moving forward.
Great article and restoration of the library is money well spent. Hopefully the source of the moisture can be found quickly. I miss the library.