110-year-old Pacific Grove Public Library aims for a major restoration and upgrades.

In 1906, the citizens of Pacific Grove proved to Scottish philanthropist Andrew Carnegie that they were ready for a modern library by providing a donated building site and raising money to pay for construction above and beyond Carnegie’s $10,000 grant – an estimated $270,000 in today’s dollars. The townspeople opened a beautiful building in 1908, complete with a rotunda, wood-lined arches and pillars.

Over the years, a hodgepodge of expansions were tacked on, increasing the size from 2,800 to 12,500 square feet. The original beauty of the wood is gone thanks to dull beige paint and the wear and tear of 147,000 visits a year is taking its toll. Dings and dents in the walls are evident, like the one outside the original 1908 director’s office, where current director Scott Bauer resides. And don’t get Bauer started on the bathrooms.

“Forgive me for saying so – we have some of the worst bathrooms in history,” Bauer says.

He’s now overseeing the Pacific Grove Public Library renewal project, a $2.5 million capital campaign by the Friends of the Pacific Grove Public Library, the Library Foundation and the city, meant to restore and carry the building into the next 100 years – including new ADA-compliant bathrooms.

So far more than $2.2 million has been raised, including $738,000 raised in 2006 for an abandoned capital campaign. That leaves $300,000 left to raise. Library officials say if they don’t meet a deadline of Sept. 3, the project will still move forward, but may be scaled back.

If all goes to plan, Bauer says, the library will move to a temporary location – a search is underway – and construction could begin in early 2019 and take one year to complete.