www.FullertonLibrary.org

Library History

Well before the city had paved streets, Fullerton had a library service. A small collection of books belonging to the William Starbucks was offered to the citizens in the form of a traveling library, which meant that the books could be borrowed. These items were shelved in the Gem Pharmacy operated by the Starbucks.

In 1900 the Deans, the local dentist, started a free reading room on the second floor of the Chadbourne building where he also had his dental office. This was done to give the community an alternative to the many saloons in town. The reading room absorbed the traveling library from the Gem Pharmacy with Starbucks' blessing.

In 1902 when the Deans relocating to Redlands, a group of local women felt the reading room should be continued, so they formed a Reading Room Association and began knocking on citizen’s doors, asking for donations of books, magazines and funds to keep the reading room open. People gave generously.

The city was incorporated in 1904, and by 1906 a library board had been appointed. With donated land and a grant from the Carnegie foundation, the city as able to build what was the first official Fullerton Public Library.

By 1926 the population soon outgrew the Carnegie library and an annex for the Children’s room was constructed next door to the Carnegie library. Those two buildings served until the opening of the WPA library building (now the museum) in 1942.

By the early 1970s the community had again outgrown the library and the current library building was constructed with major remodeling done in 1999.

Our library continues to be one the busiest in the state for the size of our population.

Administration

Implements the policies set by the Library Board of Trustees and oversees the operation of the Library system for the City. This includes planning, budgeting control, and coordination of programs and subprograms. Public information, personnel records, room reservations, and reports are handled by Administration.

Adult Services

Services

Adult Services and related collections are located on the third and fourth floor of the Library. The Information Desk is staffed by librarians and paraprofessionals to assist library users with their information needs. Ask for help in using the Catalog or finding the answer to a particular question.

Tours

Tours or class visits may be arranged with the adult reference staff by calling in advance to Reference at (714) 738-6327.

Volunteer Program

Volunteers help in many areas of the Library. In adult services an on-going commitment is desirable, as each volunteer will receive considerable training . For details, contact our volunteer coordinator at (714) 738-3344.

Literacy Tutoring

Fullerton Public Library has arranged with Placentia Public Library for literacy tutoring. Interested students may fill out a form at Fullerton or may telephone the Literacy Program at the Placentia Public Library at (714) 524-8408.

Homebound Service

Fullerton residents who are restricted to their living quarters, either temporarily or permanently, may receive delivery of reading materials to their homes on a monthly basis. Items are selected by library staff, based upon the individual's reading profile; the items are delivered and picked up by volunteers. For further information, contact the Homebound Service at (714) 738-3145.

Bookmobile

The Bookmobile had weekly stops at various locations throughout the City of Fullerton. Sites were selected to assure Library access to City residents who, otherwise, were unable to use the Main Library or Hunt Branch. Services provided included a fine selection of popular books, videos and audiocassettes for adults and children, and assistance matching patron interests to books.

Children's Services

The Carolyn Johnson Children's Library provides professional library services to children (infancy through junior high school age) and adults. Professional services include teaching computer skills, assisting patrons with homework and research questions, and presenting programs for children and adults that encourage and promote reading. The children's library provides teens with opportunities for volunteer and community service projects. The librarians have a strong background in children's literature and are happy to assist with book selection. The children's library houses The Mary Campbell Collection of Historic Children's Books. This is a teaching collection of rare children's books published from the 17th Century to the 1920's.

Circulation Services

The Circulation Department is responsible for the registration of borrowers, the checking out and the retrieval of materials, and the subsequent distribution and reshelving of those materials.

The staff will also assist you with other services such as renewals, reserves, fines and fees, long-overdue accounts and locating items you cannot find in the stacks.

Used Book Sales: The Friends of the Fullerton Public Library hold two book sales per year in Meeting Room "B" at the Fullerton Public Library. Book Sales are held on the 1st weekend in April and October.

Books and magazines are accepted at the Main Library Circulation Desk. Donated materials become the property of the library and may be added to the library's collection or given to the Friends of the Fullerton Public Library to be sold at their book sales. Receipts acknowledging donations are available at the Circulation Desk. The library does not assign a monetary value to the donation.

Hunt Branch

Technical Services

Servicing the entire Library and its staff, Technical Services is responsible for the day-to-day maintenance of the Integrated Library System, from the On-line Public Access system and on-line services to the circulation, acquisitions, cataloging, and serials software; ordering, invoicing, and receiving all materials; cataloging all formats and adding holdings information; maintaining periodical holding information; processing, discarding, and physical maintenance of all library materials, and deliveries.

For additional information, call Technical Services at (714) 738-6392.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Fullerton Public Library is to serve the diverse needs of our patrons, foster learning, provide resources, inspire creative thinking and bring the Fullerton community together. It is a place where information and items of recreational, educational and leisurely interest are collected, preserved and made available in print and electronic formats. Whatever connects the people to ideas and concepts, it’s here at the Fullerton Public Library.

In its selection of books and other materials, the Fullerton Public Library upholds the doctrines of “Freedom of Speech” and “Freedom of the Press” as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. The Library also subscribes to the principles adopted by the American Library Association in its Library Bill of Rights, the Freedom to Read statement, and the Freedom to View statement.

Reviewed and re-adopted by the Library Board of Trustees on February 28, 2019.

Vision Statement

The Fullerton Public Library will be integral to the City’s intellectual and cultural life, deeply rooted in and responsive to our diverse community. The Library will provide free and equal access to information, knowledge and ideas; promote personal enrichment and life-long learning; encourage literacy and the love of reading in all age groups; and foster cultural and educational programs and partnerships. The Library will ensure quality service through positive human connections and an inviting environment.

Reviewed and re-adopted by the Library Board of Trustees on February 28, 2019.