The Santee Branch Library celebrates 100 years of service with an ice cream social

It all started with local citizens who wanted greater access to books in their community.  In March 1915, a petition submitted by Mrs. Albert Greenleaf to the San Diego Board of Supervisors stated, “We promise to care for the books and house them without cost.”  Once approved, a station library with a few shelves of books was opened in the Greenleaf‘s Ice Cream Parlour on April 22, 1915.

In 1959, after years of moving between private homes and businesses, community organizers again petitioned the Board of Supervisors who approved leasing a portion of the Cameron Building on Magnolia Ave to house the library. In 1985, library staff and volunteers from the Friends of the Santee Library moved the branch to its current location on Carlton Hills Blvd.  In 2014, the Santee Library had over 218,000 visitors who enjoyed free access to books, music, movies, and Internet and Wi-Fi services.

In honor if its beginnings, the Santee Branch Library is having an ice cream social on April 22.  The Friends of the Santee Library will host a silent book auction from 1:00pm-2:30pm.  Local dignitaries will open the event at 2:30pm with the Sun Harbor Chorus performing at 3:00pm.  Ice cream will be served after 3:30pm with Expressions Dance and Movement Center performing at 4:15pm. All are invited to attend.

From a few book shelves in an ice cream parlor to a full service library with Internet and Wi-Fi access, the Santee Branch Library continues to grow with the community it serves.