Nestled on a hill overlooking the Pacific, the Del Mar Branch San Diego County Library isn’t just a repository of books. It’s a testament to community spirit and a journey through time. The Del Mar Branch began humbly in 1914, just a year after the San Diego County Library system was established. It started in the home of Mrs. E.J. Hindle, the first librarian. Over the next sixty years, the library bounced around Del Mar. It occupied various locations, including a store, the home of writer Lee Shippey, a room in the Jefferson Arcade, a building on 14th Street, and a space in the old Del Mar Plaza. Imagine it, a library constantly on the move, its collection growing alongside the town itself. By 1977, the library found a temporary home, albeit an unconventional one: a trailer in the old City Hall parking lot. It remained there for 19 years, a testament to the community’s enduring love for literature.
The Del Mar Branch San Diego County Library wasn’t always destined for such a picturesque location. The building itself has a rich history. Originally built in 1914, it served as St. James Catholic Church, designed by the same architect who designed the old Del Mar Hotel, John Austin. The church’s Craftsman style, with its high-arched ceilings and large multi-paned windows, created a space of serenity and reflection. In 1966, the congregation moved to a larger location. The building then transitioned through various incarnations. It was a restaurant, an art school, and commercial offices.
The story of the Del Mar Branch San Diego County Library took a dramatic turn in the 1980s. A dedicated group of volunteers formed an association to advocate for a permanent library building. In the 1990s, a plan for a new library was initially rejected by voters. However, fate intervened when the old church building went up for sale. The Friends of the Del Mar Library launched a fundraising campaign, and the community rallied behind the cause. They raised over $350,000. This amount, combined with local development funds and a city bond, enabled the City of Del Mar to purchase the church building in 1993 for $1 million. The building underwent extensive renovations, overseen by architect Joe Nelle. In 1996, the Del Mar Branch San Diego County Library finally found its permanent home. The transformation was so remarkable that it received an Orchid Award for Historic Preservation from the San Diego Architectural Foundation a year later. The Del Mar Branch San Diego County Library today is more than just a library. It’s a community hub, hosting events, concerts, and story times in its main room. A dedicated children’s room, a teen area, and a quiet California Room offer spaces for all ages. The library also features a Community Room, added in 2009, thanks to the efforts of Supervisor Pam Slater-Price, the Friends of the Library, and the Del Mar Farmers Market.