Courtesy of the San Benito County Free Library:
The San Benito County Free Library celebrated its first 100 years of service recently with an evening of food, fellowship and fun.
Founded in February of 1918, the library began humbly in the basement of the Old County Courthouse. In those days and for decades to follow, boxes fastened to trees served as book drop-offs in rural areas. In 1959, a decision was made to consolidate the county library with the Hollister City Library. Following this consolidation, the library moved into a newly constructed building in 1960. The library remains there today. In 1980, the Friends of the San Benito County Free Library formed and began providing invaluable support and resources to the library.
Shortly thereafter, the library acquired its first bookmobile to serve those unable to easily reach the collection. In 1983, thanks to a generous contribution from Mr. Poppic, the building expanded into the footprint it occupies today, including the Barbara Room, a meeting room named for Mr. Poppic’s late wife. Since 1983, the library has continued to serve the expanding community with increased technology offerings and evolving accessibility. As the evening’s festivities made clear, there is much to celebrate about the library’s 100 years.
On Friday, April 12, a celebration worthy of the event was held. The evening began with a potluck dinner provided by community members, Friends of the Library, library staff, and generous contributions from Hollister restaurants El Michoacano, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Mountain Mike’s Pizza, and Lighthouse 55 Bakery.
Nearly 100 people gathered to share and enjoy. The ceremony was officially begun by Supervisor Jaime De La Cruz, the Master of Ceremonies. Next, Supervisor Jim Gillio presented awards of recognition from Congressman Jimmy Panetta to local businesses and agencies that have contributed to Summer Reading and other library programs throughout the year.
These businesses and agencies include Lighthouse 55 Bakery, Ohana Shave Ice, Mountain Mike’s Pizza, San Benito Bakery, Balbas & Tiffany Law Firm, Parsons Tiffany Interiors, the Community Foundation for San Benito County, the Hollister School District Nutrition Department, and San Benito County Express.
Gillio presented Susan Logue, president of the Friends of the San Benito County Free Library and volunteer for the library’s Adult Literacy Program, with the library’s volunteer of the year award. Assemblyman Robert Rivas was in attendance and spoke about the importance of supporting libraries before presenting the San Benito County Free Library with an award of recognition for its first 100 years of service. A trio of speakers next presented perspectives of the library from the past (Ruth Erickson, Library Historian), present (Erin Baxter, Assistant to the County Librarian), and future (Tami Aviles, Co-Chair for a New Community Library & Resource Center). Finally, Nora Conte, the County Librarian closed the celebration with remarks about hope and gratitude.
One thing was clear: Even as the Library paused for an evening to celebrate its past, its collective eyes were focused on its future. One-hundred years is a long stretch of time but, at San Benito County Free Library, it is just a beginning.
