Oakland Carnegie Libraries: Melrose Branch

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Oakland Carnegie Libraries: Melrose Branch

The Melrose Branch opened at 4805 Foothill Boulevard in 1916. The Classical Revival style building was designed by architect William H. Weeks and constructed by builder C. Chistensen. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In the early 20th Century Andrew Carnegie donated funds for the construction of 1,681 library buildings throughout the United States. The Melrose Branch is one of five "Carnegie Libraries" constructed as part of the Oakland Public Library system. In 1900, Carnegie gave $50,000 to fund construction of a new Main Library, which opened at 659 14th Street in 1902. This building served as the city's Main Library until a new Main opened at 125 14th Street in 1951. From 1951-1989 it served as the Charles S. Greene Branch, but was closed because of damage from the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake. The building was retrofitted and reopened as the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO) in 2002. In 1916, Carnegie gave an additional $140,000 to fund new buildings for four branch libraries in Oakland: Melrose, 23rd Avenue, Golden Gate, and Alden (renamed Temescal in the 1940s). Construction began first on the Melrose Branch, as a site was secured rapidly, and the library opened in 1916. The three other branches opened in 1918: Golden Gate at 5606 San Pablo Avenue, Alden/Temescal at 5205 Telegraph Avenue, and 23rd Avenue at 1449 Miller Avenue. The Golden Gate, Melrose, and Temescal Branch Libraries have been continually in use as branch libraries since they opened. The 23rd Avenue Branch was used as branch library until 1976. It was destroyed by a fire and razed in 2018.

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Oakland Carnegie Libraries: Melrose Branch

Trees at front entrance of Melrose Branch, Oakland Public Library.

Front doors of Melrose Branch, Oakland Public Library.

Group of people on the stairs at front entrance of Melrose Branch, Oakland Public Library.

Exterior of Melrose Branch, Oakland Public Library.

Group of children in costumes outside of Melrose Branch, Oakland Public Library.

Exterior of Melrose Branch, Oakland Public Library, from the corner of Foothill and 48th Avenue.

Children reading at tables inside of Melrose Branch, Oakland Public Library.

Trees at front entrance of Melrose Branch, Oakland Public Library.

Interior of Melrose Branch showing empty tables.

Exterior of Melrose Branch, Oakland Public Library.

Interior lobby of Melrose Branch, Oakland Public Library, showing stairs leading up to a staffed reference desk.

Exterior of Melrose Branch, Oakland Public Library.

People reading at tables inside of Melrose Branch, Oakland Public Library.