Branch History

Library supporters took advantage of a 1911 state law that allowed the creation of unified high school and library districts, and formed what later became the Vacaville Unified School District/Library District. A five-cent property tax yielded $1,000 for book purchases and maintenance, which made Vacaville eligible for a Carnegie library. The Vacaville Public Library, with the distinctive pillars and pediment style of many Carnegie libraries, opened on Main Street in 1915. The building served the community for over fifty years, and many longtime residents have fond memories of the building that now houses the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce.

By 1970, the Library was outgrowing its 4,000 square foot Carnegie building and moved to a new 10,000 square foot building on Merchant Street. The passage of Proposition 13 in 1978 left the District without funds to operate independently and forced the library to close on June 13. It opened two weeks later, under a hastily developed agreement with Solano County Library. A formal contract for library services was established in 1979.

In November of 1988, the citizens of Vacaville passed Measure I, a proposition that funded a new cultural center that included a library. In March of 1993, the new Vacaville Public Library opened in a 25,186 square foot building.

After 12 years of intense usage, the Cultural Center library needed a facelift and some renovation. The library’s new carpeting and paint provide a welcome rejuvenation to the interior and give visual cues that orient users and help them find their way. The renovation features a 15-seat computer center offering a wide spectrum of classes. With the library’s wireless Internet access, anyone with a laptop, PDA, or Web-enabled cell phone can be online.

Vacaville residents have long understood the key role their library plays in the cultural, educational, and democratic well-being of their community. With improved access, convenience and up-to-date technology, the Vacaville Public Library-Cultural Center serves as a focal point of civic and social life in the community.