In 1997 the Cayucos Library moved from the 350 sq. ft. space it occupied in the Cayucos Veterans Memorial Building to a 1700 sq. ft. store front on Ocean Ave. With 75% more space, the collection was expanded, circulation increased by almost 75%, and an ongoing sale of used books and magazines was established and flourished in "the back room".
Fast forward to 2010! In 2005, inspired by School Board member and Friends of the Library Board member Elaine Thompson, a remarkable alliance was formed. Moving forward at a slow but steady pace, the community passed two Bond issues and plans were developed for renovation of a 3000+ sq.ft. surplus school building to house the county library.
Cayucos School Principal George Erdelyi and Library Director Brian Reynolds and their respective staffs worked side by side from start to finish to retrofit the building to the county's specifications to meet the library's current and future needs. Under the leadership of Friends’ presidents Vera Wallen and Gretchen Ross, Cayucos Friends of the Library played a pivotal role in fundraising and supporting the acquisition and installation of furnishings, fixtures, and public art to make the new library at 310 B. Street the pride of the community. On April 16, 2010, the Friends hosted an Open House at the new library for the entire community.
Friends' president for 2010-11 Kate Throop says "We will build on the incredible success of past years and continue to ask the community to support us through memberships and attendance at special events in the coming year - our goal is to raise funds to support additional open hours for this busy branch, and to continue to add library materials to the Cayucos collection”.
Circulation has increased an average of 27% since the move to our new location. During the first half of the 2010-11 year, the Friends of Cayucos Library allocated funds to insure that the library would be open an additional two hours per week, currently on Wednesday evenings. A permanent exterior sign was purchases and installed with Friends’ funds, and an exterior bulletin board was placed on the outside wall for library notices. Purchases of library materials (books, DVDs, games, CDs) for the Cayucos collection is ongoing, with over $3500 spent from June to January 2010-11. Three benches were donated by the Cayucos Seniors and are now in place on the patio.
Your investment in the library is an investment in the future of Cayucos and our children and grandchildren. We have an amazing corps of volunteers who work closely with librarian Shera Hill to keep the library running smoothly. It's an exciting place to be!