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Chinatown Branch Library, the third San Francisco Public Library
branch to be established, was originally named the North Beach
Branch. It was built in 1921 by architect G. Albert Lansburgh with
$67,589 in Carnegie funds and features a façade of pressed brick
and terra cotta. Located in the Chinatown district, on Powell Street
between Washington and Jackson Streets, the branch name was changed
in 1958 to reflect more accurately the community it serves.
Community Block Development Grant funds were used to create a community
garden behind the branch in the early 1980s. In 1982, the children’s
collection was moved to a separate Children’s Room at street level.
In 1991, public and private funds were obtained for a major renovation
and expansion of the Chinatown Branch Library. The branch was seismically
retrofitted and expanded to twice its original size. During the 1994-1996
rebuilding period, Chinatown Branch was relocated to a temporary site at
445 Grant Avenue.
The Grand Reopening of the Chinatown Branch Library was held on June 15, 1996.
Chinatown Branch Library before the renovation
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