Libraries Named After Women: Elva L. Haskett Branch of the Anaheim Public Library

Elva L. Haskett [c. 1940] 

Anaheim Public Library/Digital Anaheim

Celebrating Elva Lavera Haskett (1899-1980), the first children's librarian at the Anaheim Public Library where she worked from 1925 until 1962. Anaheim's first branch library was named after her and opened in August 1962 (the current building dates to 2006). Miss Haskett was born in London, Ontario, Canada on August 30, 1899. She attended Ontario Ladies College, including coursework in expression and library science, and worked with children at the London Public Library. In 1923 she moved to Los Angeles with her parents and began working in a bookstore. It was while working at the bookstore that she met J. Elizabeth Calnon, head of the Anaheim Public Library. Miss Calnon hired her as librarian, and Miss Haskett created the Junior Library (aka the library's children's department) which drew more children into the library.

Anaheim Public Library staff in front of Carnegie Library 

(now Anaheim Heritage Center), Elva Haskett is 2nd from left in front row with hands in her lap, J. Elizabeth Calnon is far right in the front row [c. 1926] Anaheim Public Library/Digital Anaheim

Miss Haskett was a beloved librarian and is often remembered for her connection with the library's mascot, a Pinocchio puppet that survived both the 1933 Long Beach earthquake and the 1938 floods. In 1957 she even wrote a wonderful narrative of the life of the puppet whom she called the "head of the public relations department of the Junior Library." Per her narrative, Pinocchio was "born" in 1929, one of five hundred puppets that Macmillan Publishing made to accompany a new edition (and based on Attilio Mussino's illustrations) of Adventures of Pinocchio by C. Collodi. During the earthquake of 1933, Pinocchio fell off his perch on a shelf of the library and was buried under books. He suffered a broken nose and a cracked head. He was sent to a doll hospital in 1938 for repairs only to be whisked away during a large rainstorm by the hospital's proprietors, David and Lenora Swanson. Sadly the floodwaters overcame their car, smashing it into a building. Pinocchio lost a leg in the crash but was returned to the library. He was fixed up quickly and sent to Ogden, Utah where he had been invited to participate in a doll show, where newspapers said he was a big hit. Over the years he's visited children in hospitals, hosted kids in the library, and been the recipient of many birthday parties. You can visit Pinocchio today in the Children's Room at the Anaheim Central Library.

Anaheim Public Library's Ruth Wirths shows off Pinocchio after he returned from Utah

Los Angeles Times, May 9, 1938

Pinocchio still entertains in the 

Children's Library at the Anaheim Central Library [2023]

Photo by Tiffney Sanford

Another stellar achievement by Miss Haskett was Anaheim's bookmobile service which she instituted during the five months that she was Acting Library Director in 1957. Upon retirement, Miss Haskett spoke of her satisfaction with her library career and to her co-workers she said , "I hope to retain your friendship and will welcome your knock on my door, 327 South Helena Street. The back door will be closer to the new Central Library, but I will gladly meet you at either door. Come and share my new life in the sun."

Elva L. Haskett Branch, Anaheim Public Library

opened August 1962.

Long Beach Independent Press-Telegram

August 26, 1962 

[Architect Thomas J. Russell was based in Long Beach, he also designed the Palos Verdes Miraleste Branch and 

co-designed the 1964-65 Santa Monica Public Library]

Haskett Branch, Anaheim Public Library [2023]

2650 W. Broadway

Note the 'book spine' at the entrance reads, 

"City's First Children's Librarian Elva L. Haskett"

Photo by Tiffney Sanford