Fresno County Public Library
Encyclopedia
The Fresno County Public Library provides books, ebooks, music, movies, magazines, newspapers, and services through its Central Resource Library and its 34 branches throughout Fresno County, California
Fresno County, California
Fresno County is a county located in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California, south of Stockton and north of Bakersfield. As of the 2010 census, it is the tenth most populous county in California with a population of 930,450, and the sixth largest in size with an area of . The county...

. The library system is headquartered in Fresno
Fresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...

.

The library is part of the San Joaquin Valley Library System (SJVLS); a cooperative network of 10 public library jurisdictions in the counties of Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera,Mariposa, Merced. and Tulare. The Fresno County Public Library provides free access to library services and materials to enhance the quality of lives and further lifelong learning through books, DVDs, CDs, technology, programs, and services that inform, enlighten and entertain people of all ages.

FCPL offers wireless Internet access at 11 of its branches (Cedar-Clinton, Clovis, Fig Garden, Fowler, Gillis, Mendota, Orange Cove, Parlier, Leo Politi, Reedley and Woodward Park) but not at the Central Library.

History of the Library

The Fresno County Public Library was founded in 1910 and housed at that time in the Fresno City Library building, which had been constructed in 1904 with a $30,000 donation from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American industrialist, businessman, and entrepreneur who led the enormous expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century...

. Subsequent gifts provided Carnegie libraries
Carnegie library
A Carnegie library is a library built with money donated by Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built between 1883 and 1929, including some belonging to public and university library systems...

 in Selma, Clovis and Sanger between 1906 and 1916.
Miss Sarah E. McCardle was the first County Librarian, developing the library into the then second largest county library in the state with 54 branches, 152 elementary and high school libraries and a circulation of 748,553 volumes. In 1917, the two organizations merged and the Fresno County Board of Supervisors became the governing body for the County Library system, with 12 communities, initially designated to have county branches.
By the late 1950s, the first Carnegie library building had outgrown its original quarters and the time had come to replace it with a new Central Library.
The present-day Central Library in downtown Fresno opened on April 13, 1959 and today serves as the Headquarters for the Fresno County Public Library and its 32 branch libraries, plus the Literacy Center, Senior Resource Center, the Talking Book Library for the Blind and the California History and Genealogy room with a budget of more than $24.7-million.

Collection size

All Fresno County Public Library branches combined contain approximately:

• 1,112,241 books

• 1,903 current periodical subscriptions

• 1,091,254 government publications

• 55,953 video materials

• 96,263 audio materials

Programs and Services

The Library offers Fresno County residents a wealth of information and materials, free of charge, in a variety of formats and languages. In addition to a diverse collection of books, ebooks, magazines, movies and video games, there are also a variety of Library programs.





















Branches

Central and Regional Services:
  • Central Library (Fresno
    Fresno, California
    Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...

    )
    • California History & Genealogy Room
    • Bookdrops
    • Meeting Room Reservations
    • Administration
  • Literacy Services Center (Fresno
    Fresno, California
    Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...

    )
  • Senior Resource Center Library (Fresno
    Fresno, California
    Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...

    )
  • Talking Book Library for the Blind (Fresno
    Fresno, California
    Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...

    )


Branches in the Fresno
Fresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...

-Clovis
Clovis, California
Clovis is a city in Fresno County, California, United States, northeast of Fresno. The population is estimated to be 97,218 as of September, 2011. Clovis is located northeast of downtown Fresno, at an elevation of 361 feet .-History:...

 Area:
  • Cedar-Clinton Branch Library (Fresno
    Fresno, California
    Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...

    )
  • Clovis Regional Library (Clovis
    Clovis, California
    Clovis is a city in Fresno County, California, United States, northeast of Fresno. The population is estimated to be 97,218 as of September, 2011. Clovis is located northeast of downtown Fresno, at an elevation of 361 feet .-History:...

    )
  • Fig Garden Regional Library (Fresno
    Fresno, California
    Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...

    )
  • Gillis Branch Library (Fresno
    Fresno, California
    Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...

    )
  • Leo Politi Branch Library (Fresno
    Fresno, California
    Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...

    )
  • Mosqueda Center Branch Library (Fresno
    Fresno, California
    Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...

    )
  • Pinedale Branch Library (Pinedale, Fresno
    Fresno, California
    Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...

    )
  • Sunnyside Regional Library (Fresno
    Fresno, California
    Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...

    )
  • West Fresno Branch Library (Fresno
    Fresno, California
    Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...

    )
  • Woodward Park Regional Library (Fresno
    Fresno, California
    Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...

    )


Branches East of California State Route 99
California State Route 99
California State Route 99 , commonly known as Highway 99 or, simply, as 99 , is a north–south state highway in the U.S. state of California, stretching almost the entire length of the Central Valley...

 Area:
  • Bear Mountain Branch Library (Squaw Valley, Unincorporated area
    Unincorporated area
    In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...

    )
  • Fowler Branch Library (Fowler
    Fowler, California
    Fowler is a city in Fresno County, California, United States. It is located within the San Joaquin Valley. It has a strong agricultural community, with lush grape vineyards and expansive farmland. Fowler is located southeast of downtown Fresno, at an elevation of 308 feet...

    )
  • Kingsburg Branch Library (Kingsburg
    Kingsburg, California
    Kingsburg is a city in Fresno County, California. Kingsburg is located southeast of Selma at an elevation of 302 feet , on the banks of the Kings River. The city is half an hour away from Fresno, and two hours away from the California Central Coast and Sierra Nevada Mountain Range...

    )
  • Orange Cove Branch Library (Orange Cove
    Orange Cove, California
    Orange Cove is a small city in Fresno County, California, United States. The population was 9,078 at the 2010 census, up from 7,722 at the 2000 census. Almost all of Orange Cove's residents are Hispanic, many of whom are farmers...

    )
  • Parlier Branch Library (Parlier
    Parlier, California
    Parlier is a city in Fresno County, California, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 9,494, down from 11,145 at the 2000 census. The city has one of the state's highest percentage of Latinos, a large majority of them are seasonal migrant laborers who arrive and...

    )
  • Piedra Branch Library (Unincorporated area
    Unincorporated area
    In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...

    )
  • Reedley Branch Library (Reedley
    Reedley, California
    Reedley is a city in Fresno County, California, United States. Reedley is located east-southeast of Fresno, at an elevation of 348 feet . The population at the 2010 census was 24,194. Its chief economic source is agriculture, particularly fruit and vegetable cultivation. The city is dubbed as...

    )
  • Sanger Branch Library (Sanger
    Sanger, California
    Sanger is a city in Fresno County, California, United States. The population was 24,270 at the 2010 census, up from 18,731 at the 2000 census. Sanger is located east-southeast of Fresno, at an elevation of 371 feet .- Geography :...

    )
  • Selma Branch Library (Selma
    Selma, California
    Selma is a city in Fresno County, California. The population was 23,219 at the 2010 census, up from 19,240 at the 2000 census. Selma is located southeast of Fresno, at an elevation of 308 feet .-Geography:...

    )


Mountain Branches of California State Route 168
California State Route 168
State Route 168 is a state highway in California, USA, which is separated into three distinct segments, in part by the Sierra Nevada mountains....

 Area:
  • Auberry Branch Library (Auberry
    Auberry, California
    Auberry is a census-designated place in Fresno County, California, United States. The population was 2,369 at the 2010 census, up from 2,053 at the 2000 census...

    , Unincorporated area
    Unincorporated area
    In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...

    )
  • Big Creek Branch Library (Big Creek
    Big Creek, California
    Big Creek is a small census-designated place in Fresno County, California located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the north bank of Big Creek. It lies at an elevation of 4984 feet . Its population is 175...

    , Unincorporated area
    Unincorporated area
    In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...

    )
  • Shaver Lake Branch Library (Shaver Lake
    Shaver Lake, California
    Shaver Lake is a census-designated place in Fresno County, California, United States. The population was 634 at the 2010 census, down from 705 at the 2000 census. Shaver Lake is on the southeast end of the lake of the same name, northeast of New Auberry, at an elevation of 5627 feet . The name...

    , Unincorporated area
    Unincorporated area
    In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...

    )


Branches West of California State Route 99
California State Route 99
California State Route 99 , commonly known as Highway 99 or, simply, as 99 , is a north–south state highway in the U.S. state of California, stretching almost the entire length of the Central Valley...

 Area:
  • Caruthers Branch Library (Caruthers
    Caruthers, California
    Caruthers is a census-designated place in Fresno County, California, United States. The population was 2,497 at the 2010 census, up from 2,103 at the 2000 census...

    )
  • Easton Branch Library (Easton
    Easton, California
    Easton is a census-designated place in Fresno County, California, United States. The population was 2,083 at the 2010 census, up from 1,966 at the 2000 census...

    )
  • Firebaugh Branch Library (Firebaugh
    Firebaugh, California
    Firebaugh is a city in Fresno County, California, United States. The population was 7,549 at the 2010 census, up from 5,743 as of the 2000 census. ZIP Code for the community is 93622 and the city is located inside area code 559. Firebaugh is located on the west side of the San Joaquin River west...

    )
  • Kerman Branch Library (Kerman
    Kerman, California
    Kerman is a city at the intersection of State Route 180 and State Route 145 in Fresno County, California, USA. The population was 13,544 at the 2010 census. Kerman is located west of Fresno, at an elevation of 220 feet ....

    )
  • Laton Branch Library (Laton
    Laton, California
    Laton is a census-designated place in Fresno County, California, United States. The population was 1,824 at the 2010 census, up from 1,236 at the 2000 census...

    )
  • Mendota Branch Library (Mendota
    Mendota, California
    Mendota is a city in Fresno County, California, United States. The population was 11,014 at the 2010 census. The State Routes 180 and 33 run through the agricultural city. Mendota is located south-southeast of Firebaugh, at an elevation of 174 feet ....

    )
  • Riverdale Branch Library (Riverdale
    Riverdale, California
    Riverdale is a census-designated place in Fresno County, California, United States. The population was 3,153 at the 2010 census, up from 2,416 at the 2000 census...

    )
  • San Joaquin Branch Library (San Joaquin
    San Joaquin, California
    San Joaquin is a city in Fresno County, California, United States. The population was 4,001 at the 2010 census, up from 3,270 at the 2000 census. The nearest high school in the area is Tranquillity High School in Tranquillity...

    )
  • Tranquillity Branch Library (Tranquillity
    Tranquillity, California
    Tranquillity is a census-designated place in Fresno County, California, United States. The population was 799 at the 2010 census, down from 813 at the 2000 census. Tranquillity High School is the only high school in Tranquillity...

    )

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
x
OK
Literacy Tutoring
Families for Literacy Program
Adult Programs
Grandparents/Grandreaders Program
Pre-School, Children and Teen Programs
Children and Teen Summer Reading Programs
Outreach to Schools
California History & Genealogy Room at the Central Library
Doris Gates Children’s Room at the Central Library
Dial-A-Story
Talking Book Library for the Blind
Community Bookmobile
Daycare Bookmobile
Aprendovan Literacy Bookmobile
Community Meeting Rooms
Study Rooms
Online Library Catalog
Interlibrary Loan
Public Internet Computers at Every Location
Free Computer Classes
Electronic Homework Resources
Electronic Databases
Professional Library Collection
Government Documents Repository
Recordings
Audio Cassettes and Music CDs
DVDs, Videocassettes and Films
Reference Assistance
Live Homework Help
Ask a Librarian
Business Resources
Career Development
Services to Seniors
Touchtone Service for the Deaf/Persons with Hearing Impairments