History

The current Templeton Library began as an idea of boy scout Josh Gibson, who wanted to build a community library in Templeton as his Eagle Scout project. The Templeton Community Library Association (TCLA) formed in 2000 as a 501(c)(3) organization in order to make this dream come true. In collaboration with county officials, TCLA planned to partner 50-50 on the funds to build 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, to be used as a library building site. Over the years TCLA fundraised to match San Luis Obispo County funds to build a traditionally built structure on the site.

However, in March of 2020, the county had no funds for library facilities. TCLA chose to build a modular library on a reduced budget with the donated funds on hand. We opened Templeton Library on January 3, 2023, and operate with a volunteer team and one part-time coordinator. We plan to pursue sustainable funding from the county to operate the library.

The Original Templeton Library

Templeton had a library through most of the twentieth century. It was built in 1915 as a Reading Room by the Templeton Women’s Civic Club on a lot on Main Street that the Templeton Board of Trade donated.

This Reading Room eventually became a library, and it is listed in 1919 county records and noted in 2019’s SLO County centennial celebration of library services.

However, in 1979 the county closed Templeton Library along with four other branches after Proposition 13 was enacted. The county later re-opened the other four branches—but not Templeton’s library.

Design and Construction of the Current Library

With the help of 19six architect Allan Kroeker, we designed an Enviroplex modular on a concrete stem wall foundation for the library with estimated costs of $1.3 million, including the costs of site work, utilities, and inspections.

The Enviroplex company, located in Stockton, California, has been in operation for over 40 years and provided most of the modular buildings for Templeton Unified School District.

All materials used in the construction of these buildings are sourced and purchased in the United States. Made of 70 percent recycled materials, all Enviroplex buildings are themselves 100 percent recyclable.

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

We completed construction with the help of contractors like Mike and Ryan Peach of P-L Construction, and total costs came to $1.4 million.