History of Kings County Branch Libraries
Avenal Branch Library
The Avenal Branch started in a cupboard at the home of Mrs. Lillian Evans in
1923. The cupboard is now in the home of Mrs. Evans' daughter, Mrs. Boyd Morris,
but the library now fills an entire building. When Avenal became a township,
the "library" was moved to a store and post office building on Skyline
Blvd. Next it was moved to an upstairs building on "Main Street" (Kings
St.) next to Dr. M.O. Wilen's then dentist office. The next time the library
moved it was across the alley to another old post office building on Fresno
Street (1953). It was there for 28 years. On March 23, 1981, it was moved to
the new government building complex at 501 Kings Street. (Extracted from an
article in the Coalinga Courier August 28, 1985 by Sharon Miller) The Avenal
Branch Library was expanded in the summer of 1989.
Corcoran Branch Library
The Corcoran Branch was opened in February of 1913. It was located in the Storzbach
building on Whitley Avenue. The branch was moved to the old school building
in the City Park, which was next to the Veteran's building, then known as the
Legion Hall. After that building was condemned, the branch was moved back to
Whitley Avenue and was housed in the Neeb building until that building was razed.
It was not until 1959, 46 years later, that a permanent home became a reality
for the library upon completion of the county building. (Extracted from an article
in the Corcoran Journal, November 15, 1962)
The Corcoran Library was remodeled in the Spring of 1997. The construction was partially funded with a Library Services and Construction Act, Title II Grant. The Corcoran Library reopened for public service on June 16, 1997.
Kettleman City Branch Library
The Kettleman City Branch was established on December 4, 1930. It was located
in the store of Ennis T. Shankland. On August 15, 1938 the library moved to
a building donated by the Standard Oil Co., for the use of the Boy Scouts. On
February 11, 1959, the library moved to its first permanent building. The building
cost $9,000, was constructed of cement blocks, and had 1,200 square feet of
floor space. In January, 1991 the library moved to its present location in the
Kings Government Complex. The new building has 3,500 square feet and was partially
financed by the Library Services and Construction Act.
Lemoore Branch Library
The Lemoore Branch of the Kings County Library was first opened in March of
1912. The original library was so small it was later used as a chicken house.
Having quickly outgrown this home, the library was moved into the First National
Bank Building on the corner of "D" Street and Fox Street. The library
remained in this building until 1960 when the current building was opened at
the Corner of "C" Street and Hill Street. The building was remodeled
and expanded in 1981 when the patio was enclosed. (For more details see: Lemoore
Women and the Lemoore Library).
Stratford Branch Library
The first Stratford Library was completed April 30, 1913. The second library
was completed May 16, 1952. The present building was dedicated December 22,
1990. The second library building was demolished to make room for the new building.
Stratford and Corcoran are the two oldest established branches outside of the
county seat of Hanford. This library was partially funded with a Library Services
and Construction Act, Title II Grant.
Armona Community Library
The Armona Library operated as a branch of the Kings County Library until 1984.
Under a joint powers agreement between the Armona Community Services District,
the Armona Union Elementary School District, and the County of Kings, the Armona
Branch Library became the Armona Community Library. The Armona Community Library
is operated by the Armona Union Elementary School District and the Kings County
Library.