History

Templeton Community Library Association (TCLA) formed in 2000 as a 501(c)3 corporation to continue a young Boy Scout Josh Gibson's idea to build a community library in Templeton as his Eagle Scout project. In collaboration with SLO County Officials, the plan was to partner 50-50 on the funds needed with SLO County to build Templeton 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, Templeton, as a library building site. Over the years TCLA fundraised to match with the County for a traditional stick-built building on the site.

In March 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 in December, 2022, and operate with an all volunteers team and one part time Coordinator. We plan to pursue sustainable funding from the County to operate the library.

Templeton Library 1919

Templeton used to have a Library. 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.

The Reading Room eventually became a library, 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 4 other branches after Proposition 13 was enacted. The County later re-opened the other 4 branches, but not Templeton.

Mission Statement

The purpose of this corporation is to maintain an association of persons in support of the establishment, operation and maintenance of library services in the Templeton area of San Luis Obispo County. Revised 3/13/23