The
Del Mar Library
1309
Camino
Del Mar
Del
Mar,
CA 92014
858
755 1666
Library Hours
Monday Closed
Tuesday: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Thursday: 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
From
Church to Library
The
library was originally
built as St. James
Catholic Church
in
1914, then over
the years passed
through a series
of ownerships
and uses including
two restaurants,
an arts school,
and an office
building. In the
1930s, the church
was well attended
by several Hollywood
Movie stars who had taken up residence in Del Mar and vicinity: Bing Crosby and Pat O'Brien (who were church ushers), Jimmy Durante, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. After Sunday services, Bing, Pat, the priest and other members of the congregation would gather at La Tienda across the street.
In 1996, with the generous help of donations from local residents, the City bought the building and converted it into a library.
A retaining wall along the front of the library is beautifully decorated with a mosaic mural of mixed materials, designed by Del Mar artist and garden expert, Pat Welsh. Above the wall, a pillar-like lIhstract sculpture is by well-known local artist James Hubbell.
Some
New Features for
an Old Friend
Peak performance from the architect
Take a peek at photo to the right. Or rather add a peak. So cleverly did the architect Joe Nelle design the new community room that it is difficult to distinguish it from the rest of the building erected as St. Peter’s Catholic Church in 1914 and converted to a library in 1986.
The peak on the far right covers the 580 square-foot addition that will be dedicated April 16. Years in wishing and planning, the room was made possible through $200,000 in county funds, obtained by Supervisor Pam Slater-Price, and $50,000 from Friends of the Del Mar Library. The city of Del Mar, which owns the building, waived fees and the Del Mar Farmers’ Market contributed $7,000 for furnishings -- 14 Herman Miller chairs, five tables and cushions for the storage benches.
All
of the contributing
organizations
will be represented
at the dedication
ceremony which
will begin at
11 a.m. Light
refreshments will
be served.
Librarian Gretchen Schmidt said the community room would be used for such activities as children’s and adult programs, author talks, book clubs and other meetings. It also will provide study space and electrical outlets for laptop computers.
Library
will get a new
roof
 |
Thanks
to some inspired
scrambling, Del
Mar Library is about
to get a new roof.
With
$80,000 already
set aside, the
City Council had
planned to conform
to its municipal
code and replace
the present shake
roof by 2013.
By taking advantage of community room construction already underway, city officials were told they could save money by re-roofing now.
“It’s
an important project
for fire safety
and it is the
right thing to
do,” City Manager
Karen Brust told
council members.
So
the treasure hunt
began. Supervisor
Pam Slater-Price
kicked in $25,000
and got the county
to waive $8,100
in project management
costs. The city
scraped up $35,000
from its capital
reserves and the
Del Mar Farmers’
Market donated $10,000.
“We’re happy to help,” said Jacqueline Winterer, treasurer and former president.
The City Council unanimously approved the project and its cost of almost $160,000, including fees. Construction is imminent and will take about a month.
Board Members 2009-2010
Pat Freeman, President
Anne von Benckendorff, Vice President
Barbara Myers, Secretary
Bill Michalsky, Treasurer
Peter Kaye
Barbara Anderson
Marion Perlman
Kathy Finnell
H. Randall Stoke
Del Mar Library Staff 2009-2010
Gretchen Schmidt, Librarian
Patricia Selkowitz, Assistant Branch Manager
