Martha Bergmann 2009

Description:
Martha Bergmann at the Oakland History Room, Oakland Public Library. Martha was manager of the Temescal Branch Library from 1991 until she retired in 2001. During her tenure, she oversaw a major renovation of the building, the establishment of the city s only free tool lending library, and the development of what possibly was the nation s first special collection of books in the Tigrina and Amharic languages for Eritrean and Ethiopian speakers. After retirement, she continued to work part time at the Oakland Public Library s Oakland History Room.

Date of Document:
22-Apr-09

Document Author:
Jeff Norman

Geographic Location:
5205 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, Calif.

Context:
The Temescal Branch Library, completed in 1918, was originally named the Alden Branch after early Temescal pioneer and large landholder, Solomon Ellsworth Alden. The $35,000 cost of the 7,000 sq. ft. building was paid for by the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. Oakland s head librarian at the time, Charles Greene, had applied for funding totaling $140,000 from the Carnegie Corporation for four new branch library buildings. It was the Alden Branch s several moves over the years, forced by landlords unwillingness to renew leases, which convinced Greene of the need for Oakland to own its branch library buildings. His funding request, which was approved, aligned with Carnegie s philosophy of creating branch libraries in working-class neighborhoods where books would be more accessible to the public. The Temescal Branch was designed by the well known local firm of Donovan and Dickey. In 1947, the Temescal Merchants Association petitioned to change the name to Temescal Memorial Library. On January 1, 1949, the Board of Library Directors officially renamed the library the Temescal Branch Library. The branch was designated a city landmark in 1993, and listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. In 1997, the building closed for a major renovation and seismic and ADA upgrades, funded by Measure I passed by voters in 1996. The branch reopened May 1, 1999. On December 10, 2008, a celebration was held at the branch library to commemorate its 90th anniversary.