Santa Clara County Library District Celebrates 100 Years With Lots of Events

News from the Santa Clara County Library District:

The year was 1914. Babe Ruth made his legendary Boston Red Sox debut, daily wages were set at $5/day, the first steamboat revolutionized world trade with its inaugural trip through the Panama Canal, and the world became immersed in its first global war. Amidst all this turmoil, Santa Clara County Library quietly opened its collection of books to the public for the very first time.

Housed in several rooms of San Jose’s Hall of Justice, Santa Clara County Library’s first County Librarian, Miss Stella Huntington (1914- 1925), opened the library with one typewriter, a dictionary, two chairs and a library collection of just 6,127 books. As societal needs changed, so did the library. What was once contained in a few rooms grew over the decades into the Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) of today, a network of eight libraries and two bookmobiles offering over 1.9 million items to the more than 400,000 residents residing within SCCLD’s service area.

Over the past 100 years many changes have taken place in the world, the country, and in Santa Clara County. Most notably, Santa Clara County has experienced enormous shifts in population growth and technological developments. To address these fluctuating needs, SCCLD continuously upgrades and integrates new technology into SCCLD services and programs. Initial high-tech advances in the libraries included automatic charging machines, fax machines, coin operated photo copiers, and personal computers. Today, patrons have access to electronic readers, MP3s and iPads as well as free wi-fi connections and 24/7 access to the library’s catalog, databases and Ebooks.

“We are looking forward to the next 100 years,” commented Jason Baker, Campbell City Council Member and Chair of the Santa Clara County Library District Joint Powers Authority (JPA) Board, “SCCLD remains committed to meeting the needs of the residents it serves and growing and evolving with the community. Who knows what type of technology will be available in the year 2114, but our priorities will continue to focus on early literacy and youth education; public access to information and technology; personal recreation and quality of life; lifelong learning and personal growth; and the building and bridging of diverse communities,” Baker continued.

In celebration of 100 years of service, SCCLD is hosting numerous events throughout the county. Library patrons are encouraged to check the SCCLD website (http://www.sccl.org/) for a complete listing of events.

Each Library will host its own 100th Anniversary Celebration:

Los Altos Library: Saturday, October 11 (10 am – 4 pm)

Saratoga Library, Saturday, October 11 (12 pm – 4 pm)

Cupertino Library, Saturday, October 18 (12 p m-4 pm)

Milpitas Library, Saturday, October 18 (11 am-4 pm)

Additional Anniversary Events include:

· Special Fundraiser at Hakone Gardens for dinner and music

Friday, September 26, 6:45 – 9:30 p.m./Net Proceeds to benefit Bookmobile Services

Contact Tracy Ellenberger for ticket information: telenberger@sccl.org

· Family Games and Crafts through the Decades Woodland Branch Library on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 4 pm.

· Centennial Faire at the Los Altos Library on Saturday, October 11 at 10 a.m.

· Thomas Edison brings history to life with a look back 100 years at the Campbell Library on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 3:30 pm