Address:
230 East Chestnut
Exeter, CA 93221-1712
Phone : (559) 592-5361
Public Hours:
Monday : Noon - 5 pm, 6 pm - 8 pm.
Tuesday : 10 am - 1 pm; 2 pm - 6 pm.
Wednesday : Noon - 5 pm, 6 pm - 8 pm.
Thursday : 10 am - 1 pm; 2 pm - 6 pm.
Friday : 10 am - 1 pm; 2 pm - 5 pm.
Exeter Branch Library - The Second Tulare County Library Branch
In March 1909, even before the County Library System was established, the Exeter Women’s Club was the first local group to take advantage of a new State network to distribute books to rural areas. They set up a deposit station (a place where people could borrow and return State books) in the H. Miles & Co. Store. Then, when the Tulare County Library System was formed in 1910, the Women’s Club petitioned to become one of the first County stations. Exeter became County Deposit Station #2 in Nov., 1910. The first Exeter librarian was Mrs. C.E. Firebaugh. In 1911, the station was moved to a vacant building where there was also space for a public reading room.
Inside the Exeter Carnegie Library
Exeter Carnegie Library 1916—1975
Then, in 1914, Carnegie Foundation funds were available if the city could supply a suitable site and $500 per year for maintenance. After a long touchy debate over location, Exeter’s $5000 Carnegie Library was built and finally opened on Oct., 1916. It served as Exeter’s Library until the present branch was built in 1975. The old Carnegie building at 309 South E St. is listed on the historic register, and is presently used as a community center.
Sources for this article are; The Tulare County Library by Joseph L. Vicenti, History of Tulare County by Kathleen Edwards Small and articles from the Exeter Tribune 1911 & 1914, and the Exeter Sun 1914. All are available in the Annie Mitchell History Room at the Visalia Branch Library.