Burlingame Public Library (San Francisco)

MISSION STATEMENT: “The Burlingame Public Library serves all members of the community by providing and promoting free and equal access to resources and information in a professional, welcoming environment.” The Burlingame Public Library was established as a free public library by city ordinance October 11, 1909 by a group of public spirited citizens. The first books were supplied by the Burlingame Women’s Club, Burlingame Improvement Club, and the Burlingame Board of Trade. The Library opened in September 11, 1911 in a local Bank building. By July 1912, the library moved to the old Congregational Church, located at the corner of Bellevue and Primrose Avenues. The brown shingled building held almost 1,600 volumes, largely donated by residents, and served 785 card holders. By 1929, a larger space was needed. Following an unsuccessful attempt to build a Carnegie Library, and an unsuccessful bond issue in 1929 for $75,000, a successful bond issue was passed for $65,000 in 1930. The new building was designed in a unique Mission style, combining elements of Tuscan and Spanish architecture popular at the time. The design was completed by prominent San Francisco architect Col. E. L. Norberg, who was also a Burlingame resident. The new library building opened May 3, 1931. Following the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, the City again approved a bond issue to reconstruct a new main library. The original children’s room and reference room, including the original furnishings were restored and reused in the reconstructed library. The library grew from 27,000 square feet to 48,000 square feet and maintained much of its original charm and period appeal. On October 4, 1997, the library was rededicated on the Bellevue and Primrose Roads site. The library was opened to much acclaim by then California State Librarian Kevin Starr and seven term Congressman Tom Lantos. The awarding winning architecture was featured in Library Journal in December 1997 and was a cover story in American Libraries in April 1998.