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A local newspaper chronicled the Los Gatos library in 1889 with an article titled "The Free Reading Room." About 16 years later, the addition of a children's corner in the library was captured through photographic lenses.
The library, and the town of Los Gatos in general, has a rich history to its name and some priceless documents on the subject to boot.
For years, these documents have been kept out of reach of the public, locked up in a storage room at the library. Now, in hopes of resurrecting these treasures, the library has embarked on a project to put the documents and photographs online.
Peggy Conaway, director at the library, said the original documents are yellowed from age, which is why the library wants to put the materials online.
In order to do so, the library needs to secure $18,000 for the first six months to digitize and index more than 23,500 newspaper clippings, 1,200 photographs, 195 microfilm rolls of local newspapers since 1881, 357 maps and 19 audiotapes.
"We're just running across all kinds of things," said librarian Paul Kobach. "I'm noticing lots of different pageants." Evidently the town used to hold festivals to recognize the Chinese in the community, pioneers and even the Three Graces from ancient mythology.
Other notable artifacts are two photographs from the 1880s of a Santa Cruz woodchopper who made his own guillotine. The library is hoping to find out who the photographer was, Kobach said.
Other historical photos and postcards show the El Monte Hotel and the burning of the hotel, the train depot, and orchards and a winery in the area.
With his team of three volunteers, Kobach has been scanning documents and photographs this summer.
"I didn't think it would be this interesting," said volunteer Io Berreitter.
But, he said, this goes to show that the documents he is coming across might pique the curiosity of anyone, even "someone who might not think he'd be interested."
According to Kopach, once the materials are put online, everyone can benefit from their use--"researchers, students or just the curious who want to explore local history," he said.
The advantage of the online program is that people will be able to access the database from the comfort of home.
For now, the library is using money from its trust fund to finance the project, but it hopes to raise money through tax-deductible donations. According to Conaway, the library has received a $1,200 scanner from the Lions Club, $1,000 from the Los Gatos History Club and $300 from an anonymous donor.
For information about how to
contribute, call 408.354.6800 or email
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