History

The current Templeton Library grew out of an Eagle Scout project. In 2000, Boy Scout Josh Gibson proposed building a community library in Templeton, and the Templeton Community Library Association (TCLA) formed that same year as a 501(c)(3) to make it happen. Working with county officials, TCLA planned a 50-50 funding partnership to construct a public library.

In 2001, TCLA signed a lease with Templeton Unified School District (TUSD) for a portion of the high school parking lot at the corner of Main Street and Templeton Road. For years, TCLA fundraised to match San Luis Obispo County funds for a traditionally built structure on the site.

By March 2020, however, the county had no funds available for library facilities. TCLA pivoted, using donated funds on hand to build a modular library on a reduced budget. Templeton Library opened on January 3, 2023, and today operates with a volunteer team and one part-time coordinator. TCLA continues to pursue sustainable county funding to support ongoing operations.

The Original Templeton Library

Templeton had a library for most of the twentieth century. In 1915, the Templeton Women's Civic Club built a Reading Room on a Main Street lot donated by the Templeton Board of Trade. That Reading Room eventually became a full library — one documented in 1919 county records and recognized in 2019 during SLO County's centennial celebration of library services.

In 1979, following the passage of Proposition 13, the county closed Templeton Library along with four other branches. The other four eventually reopened. Templeton's did not.

Design and Construction of the Current Library

Working with architect Allan Kroeker of 19six, TCLA designed an Enviroplex modular building on a concrete stem wall foundation, with estimated costs of $1.3 million — including site work, utilities, and inspections.

Enviroplex, based in Stockton, California, has operated for over 40 years and supplied most of the modular buildings for Templeton Unified School District. Their buildings are constructed entirely from materials sourced and purchased in the United States, made with 70 percent recycled content, and are themselves 100 percent recyclable.

Enviroplex modular buildings carry pre-approval from the Division of the State Architect (DSA) and meet building and code standards stricter than those required by SLO County. All finishes, HVAC systems, fire sprinklers, plumbing fixtures, cabinetry, flooring, windows, doors, and locks were selected from a DSA pre-approved list and included in the projected cost.

Construction was completed with the help of contractors Mike and Ryan Peach of P-L Construction. Total costs came to $1.4 million.