"CANASTA DE FLORES"
BY ALFRED RAMOS MARTINEZ
|
CORONADO PUBLIC LIBRARY |
The grounds are beautifully landscaped with huge old trees, including a rare Torrey pine and colorful blooming roses. The whimsical 14-foot-high sculpture of a sea dragon called “Imagine” is located near the front sidewalk and is on loan from Lemon Grove artist, Ken Kraber. It is one of many pieces of artwork that can be enjoyed here.
"IMAGINE" BY KEN KRABER |
The building, as
well as the spacious block of surrounding park area, was a gift to
the citizens of Coronado by sugar and shipping magnate John D. Spreckels in 1909. The library is directly across the street from
Spreckels Park, also donated by Spreckels, who owned much of Coronado
in the early 1900s, including the Hotel Del Coronado. The John D.
Spreckels Center, which replaces the former Senior Center, is currently under construction
to the west of the library.
"EL DIA DEL MERCADO"
BY ALFRED RAMOS MARTINEZ
|
A second
painting by Martinez, “Canasta de Flores,” is attractively
installed in the main section of the library. This colorful floral
mural, which was covered by wallpaper and paint in the old cafe's
cocktail lounge, was discovered by accident because it was covered with wallpaper. It was also restored, and
then purchased by the Friends of the Library when the
library was renovated.
SPRECKELS READING ROOM |
Also of interest to
visitors are the rotating exhibits to view in the gallery as you
enter the main library. They change every six to eight weeks;
currently on display is The Art of Album Covers. Recent exhibits have
included: Designed by Edith Head, the Art of Folk Costume; and World
War II in Words and Pictures.
The Coronado Public
Library is open every day of the week, including four weekday
evenings until 9 p.m. It offers a wide range of services, databases,
lectures, and special programs that are provided free of charge.
Information can be found on its website.
The annual Friends
of the Library Book Sale is held annually on the third weekend of April; raising $33,000 for the library in 2016. It is
one of the largest in the country with thousands of books, CDs, and
DVDs for sale. It is held in tents located directly across the street
from the library in Spreckels Park on the same weekend as the popular Coronado Flower Show.
“The only thing
that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library.”
-Albert Einstein