Home > California > Berkeley > Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge Street, Berkeley, Alameda County, CA
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Item Title
Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge Street, Berkeley, Alameda County, CA
Location2090 Kittredge Street,
Berkeley, CA
Find maps of Berkeley, CA
Created/Published
Documentation compiled after 1933.
Notes
Survey number HABS CA-2697
Building/structure dates:
1931 initial construction
Building/structure dates:
1963 subsequent work
Significance: As a major civic work designed by distinguished local architect James Plachek, the Berkeley Public Library is both architecturally and culturally significant. The building, which is sited prominently on the corner of Kittredge Street and Shattuck Avenue in downtown Berkeley, exhibits Moderne formal characteristics which were popular during the 1920s and 1930s. Construction of the building began in 1929 and continued through the Great Depression through the support of the local community and came to symbolize the city's progress and commitment to public education. The Berkeley Public Library is significant as a civic monument which was highly regarded by the public at its opening and has gained prestige over its long history. The Library continues to serve as an anchor in its urban and social context. On April 19, 1982 the library was designated a Berkeley City Landmark and on June 25 of the same year the building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Related Names
Plachek, James
Porter, William, Photographer
Collection
Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress)
Contents
Photograph caption(s):
CONTEXTUAL VIEW FROM NORTHEAST
CONTEXTUAL VIEW FROM NORTHWEST
NORTH FRONT
NORTH FRONT CENTER
DETAIL OF FRONT ENTRY
CENTRAL STAIR
EAST SIDE
7. WEST SIDE
DETAIL OF CORNER PYLON
DETAIL OF WINDOW HEAD
DETAIL OF SGRAFFITO PANEL
CORNER DETAIL AT TOP OF PYLONS
VESTIBULE, LOOKING SOUTHEAST
VESTIBULE, LOOKING NORTHWEST
LOBBY, LOOKING SOUTH
LOBBY, LOOKING NORTHEAST
LOBBY CEILING, LOOKING SOUTH
LOBBY BALCONY, LOOKING EAST
DETAIL OF MARBLE TRIM AT SOUTH WALL OF LOBBY
MAIN READING ROOM, LOOKING NORTHEAST
MAIN READING ROOM, LOOKING NORTHWEST
MAIN READING ROOM, LOOKING SOUTH
MAIN READING ROOM CEILING, LOOKING EAST
DETAIL OF BOOKCASE IN MAIN READING ROOM
DETAIL OF FURNITURE IN MAIN READING ROOM
PERIODICAL ROOM, LOOKING SOUTHEAST
PERIODICAL ROOM, LOOKING NORTHWEST
PERIODICAL ROOM, LOOKING SOUTH
REFERENCE ROOM, LOOKING NORTHEAST
REFERENCE ROOM, LOOKING SOUTHWEST
REFERENCE ROOM, SOUTHEAST CORNER
DETAIL OF WOOD DOOR AND TRIM IN REFERENCE ROOM
DETAIL OF REFERENCE DESK IN REFERENCE ROOM
CHILDREN'S ROOM, LOOKING NORTHEAST
CHILDREN'S ROOM, LOOKING WEST
CHILDREN'S ROOM, LOOKING SOUTHEAST
DETAIL OF NORTHWEST CORNER OF CHILDREN'S ROOM
DETAIL OF LIBRARIAN'S DESK IN CHILDREN'S ROOM
DETAIL OF FURNITURE IN CHILDREN'S ROOM
MITCHELL ROOM, LOOKING SOUTHEAST
MITCHELL ROOM, LOOKING SOUTHWEST
MITCHELL ROOM, LOOKING SOUTH
STACKS, LOOKING WEST
STACKS, LOOKING NORTH
DETAIL OF STACK SHELVING UNIT
EAST STAIR, BOTTOM LANDING
EAST STAIR, TOP PORTION
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