To celebrate the 10 year Anniversary of the Grand Opening of the Gilroy Library on 350 W. Sixth St., join us for the following free activities, no registration required:
Grab & Go Craft for All Ages- starting Friday, September 23 while supplies last. For ages 12 and under, go to the Children's Information Desk on the ground floor for a grab and go craft kit. Teens and adults can pick up a grab and go craft at the Information Desk on the 2nd floor.
Library Tips & Tricks Workshop- Friday, September 23 at 11am on the 2nd floor in Quiet Study B-Learn secret library tips and how to get the most out of the Santa Clara County Library District's collection, services, and website. Online resources are free to access with your Library card and PIN. Afterward, join us for a short behind the scenes tour of the Gilroy Library.
Performer Germar the Magician- Saturday, September 24 at noon-Bring the whole family to see Germar's amazing tricks!
Presentation by Local History Author, Kevin Akers- Saturday, September 24 at 2pm in the 2nd floor Community Room- Join us for a presentation by Kevin Akers, author of The Dunnes of Brittas: An Irish Family’s Saga of Endurance. Akers was intrigued when he read a batch of old letters from his Irish ancestors. Researching the genealogy and visiting their ancestral home inspired his writing. The Gilroy Historical Society is co-sponsoring this local history event about Aker's research into the Dunne family history shared by Gilroy, Morgan Hill, and Hollister.
Gilroy Library Timeline- Visit the lobby of the Gilroy library and go back in time to see the progression of libraries in Gilroy. Explore photos and newspaper articles on locations and advancements.
Make family memories by visiting our photo opportunity with 10th anniversary props and backdrop (Friday, September 23 and Saturday, September 24).
What has been happening at the Gilroy Library over the past 10 years? Here are some numbers for you!
6,410,082 Items borrowed including eBooks and audiobooks
2,876,155 Gate count of the number of people entering the library
94,384 Items added to the collection
48,876 Library cards issued
41,000+ Volunteer hours
30,000+ Meals served for the California State Library's Lunch in the Library project
8,375 Library events
5,000+ COVID-19 tests and masks distributed
1,400+ Outreach events in the community
120+ Big book sale events organized by the Friends of the Gilroy Library
14 staff positions added (doubling the number of staff over ten years)
What are some Grand Opening day stats from April 28, 2012?
5,615 Items checked-out that day (75% using self-check machines)
5,504 Gate count of the number of people entering the library
145 Library cards issued
What are some highlights in the history of Gilroy libraries?
1910 Carnegie Library building on Fifth St. built.
July 1968 Gilroy Library joined the Santa Clara County Free Library system.
1975 Gilroy Library moved to a new building on Rosanna St.
2012 The new Gilroy Library replaced the 1975 building. The new Library is a green Leadership in Energy and Environmental Designed (LEED) Certified building equipped with the newest in technological advances and energy-saving systems resulting in reduced operation costs.
January 2015 Gilroy Library expanded service from five days to six days a week.
March 2019 Gilroy Library expanded service from six days to seven days a week.
The outside mural was painted by Sheryl Cathers in 2015.
A bike fix-it station was installed outside the Gilroy Library in 2017.
Gilroy Library owns the largest Spanish language collection in the Santa Clara County Library District.
Gilroy Library is home to a unique phonograph record collection from the former KFAT radio station.
Gilroy Library held two Mental Health Resource Fairs and a mini-Maker Fair.
Winner of Innovative Project of the Year and Challenge Award in Administration of Justice & Public Safety for the 2019 Rise Up At-Risk Youth Program.
See you at the celebration!
