It is fitting that the colorful piece of art adorning the front entrance of the Oakland Public Library Main Branch is a mural by the late artist Ed Cassel titled “Gateway to Knowledge.” Inside the branch, which turns 75 this year, visitors can find over 350,000 books, as well as magazines, newspapers, maps, and historical archives.
The branch is also home to the Oakland History Center, and a teen zone, an area dedicated solely to teenagers — no grownups allowed — stocked with books, comics, video games, beanbags, and spots to do research.
In other words, the place is a bibliophile’s dream.
Top, the dedication of the Oakland Main Library on Jan. 7, 1951; bottom, the library today. Credit: top, courtesy Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Center; bottom, Amir Aziz/The Oaklandside
The original main branch opened in 1878 at 14th Street and San Pablo Avenue. Although, according to librarian Emily Foster, this was the year it became a taxpayer-funded institution open to all residents. Prior to that year, there were libraries in Oakland open only to dues-paying members. The main branch then moved to the spot where City Hall is now. In 1902, it was replaced by a Carnegie-funded library building on 14th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way, which is now home to the African American Museum & Library. That building was the main branch’s home until 1950.
On Jan. 7, 1951, then-California governor Earl Warren presided over the unveiling of the new building at its current location. On the day of the dedication, Warren said, “The library would serve through generations.”
Oakland public library main branch
Main Branch 75th Birthday Celebration
When: Saturday, Jan. 24, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: 125 14th St.
The Oaklandside asked the staff at the main branch what they are currently reading.
Tyler Gilmore: “Afterparties,” by Anthony Veasna So
Camille Peters: “The Book of Love,” by Kelly Link
Mana Tominaga: “Starry Field: A Memoir of Lost History,” by Margaret Juhae Lee (who’s giving an author talk at the Main Library on Thursday, May 14)
Amanda Lawrence: “Girls Girls Girls,” by Shoshana von Blanckensee
Miriam Medow: “Lord of the Butterflies,” by Andrea Gibson
Remy Timbrook: “Sociopath,” by Patric Gagne
Ian Hetzner: “A Song for Everyone: The Story of Creedence Clearwater Revival,” by John Lingan
Emily Foster: “The Food of a Younger Land: a Portrait of American Food Before the National Highway System, Before Chain Restaurants, and Before Frozen Food, When the Nation’s Food Was Seasonal, Regional, and Traditional — From the Lost WPA Files,” by Mark Kurlansky
The new building opened at a time when the United States had a booming economy — prosperity that wasn’t shared by all, sparking the fight for Civil Rights.
The new building cost $1.5 million, the equivalent of around $20 million today.
To celebrate this milestone, the library will host a birthday celebration on Saturday, Jan. 24, starting at 11 a.m. The staff is inviting community members to dress in their best 1950s attire and to share their personal memories of the branch.
The birthday celebration will include a ceremonial cake cutting and 1951 trivia and costume contests. Visitors will also have the opportunity to check out an exhibit on the history of the Main Library on the 2nd floor, which extends into the Oakland History Center.
In early 2024, the main branch raised $4.2 million from various sources, and the City of Oakland provided matching funds through Measures KK and U, to fund renovations of the building.
During a six-month closure in 2024, several repairs were completed, including infrastructure upgrades, a new roof, skylight repair, critical electrical system upgrades, lighting and flooring improvements, and more.
“*” indicates required fields