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

Libraries in Southern California Named After Women

Women's History Month seems like a fitting time to look at some of the local libraries named after women. In addition to the libraries listed below, the 7 1/2 Los Angeles Public Library branches named after women can be found here. More photos of all of these libraries can be found on Instagram.

AC Bilbrew Library

The AC Bilbrew branch of the Los Angeles County Library was dedicated in 1974. The architect, Vincent J. Proby, also designed the beautiful, colorful glass feature in the lobby.

I can't say enough good things about this library. The staff is friendly, the collection is unique, and don't miss that cloth lion in the children's section (near the patio). The Black Resource Center and the art (part of the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance art collection) are incredible--worth the drive from all over Southern California.

Madame AC Bilbrew was a radio personality, musician, composer and more. She deserves much more recognition, as does her namesake library.

Brewitt Neighborhood Library

The Brewitt Neighborhood Library, a branch of the Long Beach Public Library, was named after former Long Beach City Librarian Theodora R. Brewitt in 1955. There is an excellent branch history (and coloring book page!) online at: longbeach.gov/library/news/brewitt-anniversary/ Before her career at Long Beach (she started with LBPL in 1921, and was City Librarian from 1922 to 1950), Theodora Brewitt headed the Los Angeles Public Library training class, and worked at the Alhambra Public Library. She was an early adopter of adding films and vinyl records to libraries.

The brick and steel library, designed by Francis J. Heusel, features large windows that let in a lot of natural light. Newspaper articles at the time of its opening described the large front windows, likening the library's ambiance to that of an expensive store (I'm guessing the beached mahogany furniture helped that assessment).

The staff is incredibly helpful.

Ruth Bach Neighborhood Library

The Ruth Bach Branch of the Long Beach Public Library was named in honor of Long Beach's first female councilmember. Mrs. Bach was community oriented and active in many clubs and committees before she died in 1956 at the age of 50. [Interesting tidbit: Her son, Richard Bach, wrote the bestsellers Jonathan Livingston Seagull, and Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah.] The Long Beach Public Library has created a history of the Bach Branch, including a coloring page. https://www.longbeach.gov/library/news/bach-feature/

The library, designed by Louis Shoall Miller, opened in February 1958 and photos taken at the time look like they're straight out of Sunset magazine. When it was built, it was the largest branch in the Long Beach system. The library is still a mid-century beauty with large windows/walls of glass. I love the park setting, and when I was there, the place was buzzing with kids finding books to take home. Don't miss their Long Beach local history section, lots of unique items.

Gardena Mayme Dear Library

Mayme Dear was a library volunteer, Library Council member, and president of the Gardena Friends of the Library. Her interest in libraries was lifelong. She worked in her high school library growing up in Ohio, and after graduation worked at the Youngstown and Mahoning County Library (the building is still there). According to a family history, her intention was to major in library science but Youngstown University didn't offer that degree--she settled on a liberal arts degree instead. Following her death in 1990, community members asked that the library be named in her honor. This Los Angeles County Library was renamed the Gardena Mayme Dear Library in May 1992. Family members, including her eldest son Don Dear (former mayor of Gardena), were in attendance. A portrait of Mayme Dear by artist Betty Donahue hangs on a wall at the library.

Two more works of art grace the library. A 1964 mosaic by Livio Napoliltani, offering an interpretation of the evolution of man's culture, graces the front of the library. A beautiful and serene garden designed by Japanese landscape designer Paul Takuma Tono, was built by Gardena Valley Gardener's Association in 1964. The award-winning garden can be enjoyed on three sides from within the library. The staff is very helpful and the collection contained materials I haven't found at other libraries.

Mayme Dear [February 1990] as the first patron to use the new automated system. 

Image from library's scrapbook, photographer unknown.

Billie Jean King Main Library

The Long Beach Public Library named their new main location after tennis legend Billie Jean King, who was born and raised in Long Beach (and learned to play tennis on it's public tennis courts). The longtime advocate for gender equality is also the author of nine books, available at her namesake library.

The large glass, steel and wood structure was dedicated September 21, 2019. The library definitely feels huge when you walk in, thanks to high ceilings, light colors, and minimal bookcases on the first floor near the staircase. Don't miss the nautical themed children's section and The Studio (an all-ages makerspace with 3D printers, a Cricut, sewing machine, letterpress and more). There is a lot to explore, including the Special Collections available to look at by appointment in the Miller Room. The restored Suzanne Miller WPA murals, although high up on the wall, are pretty impressive.

Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library

The Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library, a branch of the Long Beach Public Library, was dedicated September 16, 2010. The library has sustainable features (including LEED and community garden) and I really appreciated the displays celebrating the businesses/buildings that were replaced by the library, as well as the history of the library (originally known as the North Library). You can't miss the refurbished spire from the Atlantic Theatre (1942-2014).

Claremont Helen Renwick Library

In 2019, the Claremont Library was renamed in honor of Helen Renwick, a local philanthropist who, in 1919, donated the land the library sits on. The current building, designed by architects Laurence Hutner Jr. and Richard Appel, was dedicated in 1975.

Ms. Renwick was the widow of a Davenport (IA) lumber mill owner who moved to Claremont following his death. In addition to donating the land for the library, she also funded buildings and donated land to Pomona College. Did I mention she also wrote poetry?

This branch has a great book collection, a robust Friends group and a shiny, modern public restroom. Shops, restaurants, a museum, and a Rhino Records store are all within walking distance.

There are more local libraries named after women that I hope to visit soon. Do you have a favorite one to share?