. . . By Cynthia Pustejovsky, Librarian

In 1914, recognizing that Gridley needed a suitable building to house its library, the Ladies Improvement Club began the process to build a Carnegie Library. The club advertised for plans for a building "to be constructed of concrete or pressed brick. Not to exceed $7,000." The Board of Trustees of the City of Gridley adopted the plans of architect Chester Cole and invited proposals for construction. Welsh Bros. & Hannamann of Grass Valley had the winning bid of $6,239 without a heating plant, $6,683 with heating.

With construction nearing completion in January 1916, the Trustees appointed Emma Sligar librarian and janitor, with a salary of thirty dollars a month. On March 15, 1916 the Carnegie Library was dedicated. By 1923, Ms. Sligar's salary had risen to sixty dollars a month, and a janitor was hired, evidence that the community valued the services offered by the library.

In the first years of operation, the Carnegie Library had 1,585 volumes, plus 240 Butte County books. There were 347 cardholders. Today, the Library has 18,951 volumes and 5,581 cardholders.

By 1970, increasing library usage and the expanding collection illustrated that space in the Carnegie building would soon be insufficient to meet the needs of the Gridley community. It would take more than ten years of work by concerned citizens before the new library would be built.

A committee was formed to draw up site proposals and cost estimates. Avis Cowan headed the committee, which included Reanna Correa, Dr. James Hill, Floyd Jensen, Willard Johnson, Vayne Linn, Doris Long, Robert Lynch, Tommiana Lynch, Joe McGie, Edythe Osborne, Leonard Phillips, Dorothy Russell, Bud Spurgeon, and Nora Wiley.

Many setbacks, including court challenges and budget cuts caused by Proposition 13, had to be faced before the committee would realize the fruits of their labors and construction began. Once the building was complete a group of dedicated volunteers worked to move to and set up the new library, and to landscape the grounds. A dedication ceremony marked the opening of the new library on March 5, 1983.

To formalize support for the library, a number of interested citizens met in August 1982 to discuss the establishment of an official Friends of the Library group. On September 16, 1982, the Friends of the Library, Gridley became an official group, and elected Nora Wiley president. The major function of the group is to aid the library in any way possible by raising money, procuring donations, volunteer work, educational projects, and community outreach.

Countless community members have generously contributed their time and resources to the Carnegie and Gridley Branch Libraries over the past near century, and the Gridley Friends of the Library would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation for their service and contributions. And a special, heartfelt tribute to Donald and Nora Wiley.  Without their dedication, perseverance, and generosity over the past forty years, the Gridley Library would not be the wonderful institution that the community enjoys today.  Nora was our first GFOL President, and Donald is our Vice President Emeritus and first webmaster.  We dedicate this new site to the Wileys with much love and gratitude.