Templeton is a small but mighty town. Population runs in the high 8000s. In the town, they have a library. It's on S Main Street across the street from Templeton High School. Sure at first glance it looks like any other community library. It has books, free wifi, computer use, children's reading programs and community events, and book store with profits going back to the library.
But unlike most libraries, this one is 100% funded by donors. Staff is made up of volunteers. The community began fund raising and looking for land to construct a library in 2000. In 2020, the County has no funds to provide to the library project. So the community had to pivot to reduce their budget to get the library completed. And they did. In January 2023, the modular built library opened. What a community accomplishment! A nonprofit community organization maintains the funding to oversee the continuing maintenance and operations.
Plus the building is made of materials sourced and purchased in the United States, 70% of the materials are made from recycled content and are themselves 100% recyclable. How awesome is that?! Very awesome! (Builder: Enviroplex in Stockton, CA.. Luv the Stockton connection.)
This isn't Templeton's first library though. They had one that the women's civic club created back in 1915. But closed in 1979 due to lack of county funding. A lot of libraries closed that year, including some in my hometown. Super glad that Templeton has a library again.
The library's motto is ... "A place to gather and grow". Perfect. read more
