History

Miss Sara Plummer established the City's first library on State Street in 1870. After Miss Plummer married, the library was sold to the Odd Fellows who moved it to their lodge at State and Haley Streets. The library finally became public and free when the Odd Fellows donated their collection of about 2,000 volumes to the City after the enactment of the California Municipal Library Law by the State Legislature in 1880.

In 1882, the City Council established, by ordinance, the first Library Board of Trustees. When the 1967 City Charter was adopted, the duties of the Board were expanded and its name changed to the Library Board.