Exeter Library, Carnegie library building in Exeter, California, USA
The Exeter Public Library at 309 S. E St. is a Mission Revival Carnegie library designed by A. Merrill Bowser. It has a low hip roof, a gabled parapet, and a wide entrance flanked by glass panels. A Union Jack motif appears in the windows and in the transom above the front door.
The library was built in 1916 with funds from the Carnegie Foundation and was one of the first institutions of its kind in the region. It replaced an earlier book-lending system founded in 1910 by women's groups to provide access to literature for the community.
The library carries the name of a small California town and reflects the community bonds that have grown over generations. It was founded by women's groups who valued education and shared knowledge, shaping the place's identity to this day.
The building is located on E Street in downtown Exeter and is easily accessible on foot. The place no longer operates as an active library but is used as a community center and historic site, making it a quiet spot to visit.
A. Merrill Bowser's plans were chosen from three designs submitted to James Bertram, the Carnegie Foundation's secretary who reviewed library proposals. The Union Jack motif appears in the windows and in the transom above the front door. The building served as Exeter's library until 1976, when it became a community center.
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