The histories of San José Public Library and San José
State University Library leading up to the opening of the new
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library:
1903: Carnegie Library opened as the city's main
public library at Fourth & San Fernando
1937: San José Public Library moved to
Market Street location
1942: San José State University's Wahlquist
Library South opened
1956: San José State University's Wahlquist
Library Central opened
1961: San José State University's Wahlquist
Library North opened
1970: San José Main Public Library opened
at W. San Carlos St. site
1982: San José State University's Clark
Library opened
1990: San José Main Public Library rededicated
as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Main Library
1993: Plan developed to expand Clark Library while
City grappled with main library at 100% capacity
1997, February: University President and Mayor
announced intent to collaborate and build a new library that will
serve both communities
1997, February: Committees formed to research
locations, structure and operational issues
1998, May: Memorandum of Understanding between
the City and University approved
1998, December: Separate Operating and Development
agreements approved by the City and University
• Download
the Operating
Agreement (183K PDF, Adobe Acrobat Reader required)
1999, March: Architectural design drawings completed
1999, December: Construction documents completed
2000, April: Demolition of Wahlquist Library to
clear the building site
2000, July: Library construction began
2003, August: The new Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. Library opens at Fourth & San Fernando
