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Oakland Carnegie Libraries: Temescal Branch

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Oakland Carnegie Libraries: Temescal Branch

The Alden Branch Library opened at 5205 Telegraph Avenue in 1918. It was renamed the Temescal Branch in 1949. The Tudor Revival style building was designed by architects Charles W. Dickey and John J. Donovan and constructed by builder R.W. Littlefield. 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 Temescal 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. 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). The Melrose Branch opened at 4805 Foothill Boulevard 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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Better Books Club members outside the Alden [Temescal] Branch, Oakland Public Library, 1935.

7/9/24, 8:45 PM

People admiring the newly dedicated water fountain and bench on the lawn of the Alden [Temescal] Branch, Oakland Public Library. The fountain and bench were dedicated in memory of E.L. Vander Naillen by the Alden Library and Improvement Club, of which he served as the first President.

7/9/24, 8:45 PM

Front entrance of Alden [Temescal] Branch, Oakland Public Library, with hours posted on the door.

7/9/24, 8:45 PM

Ivy covering the exterior of Alden [Temescal] Branch, Oakland Public Library.

7/9/24, 8:45 PM

Mrs. Sanchez and some members of the Alden Vacation Reading Club outside the Alden [Temescal] Branch, Oakland Public Library

7/9/24, 8:45 PM

Exterior view of the Temescal Branch, Oakland Public Library.

7/9/24, 8:45 PM

Mrs. Sanchez with a group of children outside the Alden [Temescal] Branch, Oakland Public Library

7/9/24, 8:45 PM

Dedication ceremony for a new water fountain and bench on the lawn of the Alden [Temescal] Branch, Oakland Public Library, with audience members in background. The fountain and bench were dedicated in memory of E.L. Vander Naillen by the Alden Library and Improvement Club, of which he served as the first President.

7/9/24, 8:45 PM

Oakland Carnegie Libraries: Temescal Branch

Better Books Club members outside the Alden [Temescal] Branch, Oakland Public Library, 1935.

People admiring the newly dedicated water fountain and bench on the lawn of the Alden [Temescal] Branch, Oakland Public Library. The fountain and bench were dedicated in memory of E.L. Vander Naillen by the Alden Library and Improvement Club, of which he served as the first President.

Front entrance of Alden [Temescal] Branch, Oakland Public Library, with hours posted on the door.

Ivy covering the exterior of Alden [Temescal] Branch, Oakland Public Library.

Mrs. Sanchez and some members of the Alden Vacation Reading Club outside the Alden [Temescal] Branch, Oakland Public Library

Exterior view of the Temescal Branch, Oakland Public Library.

Mrs. Sanchez with a group of children outside the Alden [Temescal] Branch, Oakland Public Library

Model of Alden [Temescal] Branch created from book and magazine pages, by Major Luckhart.

Exterior view of the Alden [Temescal] Branch, Oakland Public Library, with building covered in ivy.

Interior of Alden [Temescal] Branch showing empty lobby, service desk, and adult reading room.

Ivy covering the exterior of Alden [Temescal] Branch, Oakland Public Library.

Worker mowing lawn outside Temescal Branch, Oakland Public Library

Mrs. Sanchez with a group of children outside the Alden [Temescal] Branch, Oakland Public Library

Mrs. Sanchez with a group of children outside the Alden [Temescal] Branch, Oakland Public Library.

Exterior of Temescal Branch, Oakland Public Library, 1994

Interior of Alden [Temescal] Branch showing children and teenagers reading and browsing shelves.

Group of children outside the Alden [Temescal] Branch, Oakland Public Library.