On March 26, the Delano Branch Library held its Grand Re-Opening, which aimed to offer more space and resources to better serve its residents. For the residents of Delano, the Delano Branch Library, established in 1912, has been a staple, fostering generations of memories.
It was first owned by the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), with Mary Woodstock serving as the branch’s first librarian. Between 1912 and 1917, the library branch moved from various locations, starting at the WCTU building, to City Hall, Delano Hotel, a house, and the First National Bank. On September 19, 1919, members of both the WCTU and the Women’s Club raised funds and secured a building contract, and the facility officially opened in 1920.
Mayor of Delano, Salvador Solorio-Ruiz, who attended the grand opening, recognised the importance of investing in the community’s future.
“When we invest in learning, I believe that we invest in the possibilities of our young people, and when we invest in spaces like this library, we invest in the future of this city,” said Solorio-Ruiz.
Currently, the library hosts Supper and Snacks, a partnership with KCSOS, which offers free meals, a space where youth can read, work on homework, or participate in crafts. In addition, the facility also offers S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities that guide them into a path of critical thinking, learning, and collaboration.
The branch previously helped residents by assisting them in learning English and helping them study for their citizenship exam. Ceremonies were held in recognition of these accomplishments
for individuals, according to Fahra Daredia, marketing and promotions associate for Kern County Library.
Krisha Mendoza, a teacher at Albany Park Elementary School, shared that her family has used the library’s resources for generations, noting that she came across a Delano record clipping featuring her mother and siblings.
Mendoza went on to explain that though her family couldn’t purchase books, her grandmother always made sure to bring her children and even grandchildren to the library.
“Every summer, my grandma would sign up my sister and I for the summer reading program. I still have among the keepsakes my grandmother kept for me two Polaroid pictures,” said Mendoza. “As an adult, when I look at the list of books that I read in 1991, I’m still filled with a sense of pride.”
Through her love and passion for literature, Mendoza aims to instill those similar qualities in her students. She added that through a partnership with the Delano Branch Library, Albany Park has been able to host a summer reading kickoff, in which students can enroll in the summer reading program.
Rovia Eublera, a classified staff member at the Delano Union School District who previously worked at the Delano Branch Library, described the impact that reading and libraries can have on individuals.
“A library can spark imagination for a student, and a quiet corner can inspire success. For an adult, access to information can open new opportunities. These are the seeds libraries plant,” Eublera said.
