Bathtub full of books
While it now seems like a neighborhood institution, the Corona del Mar Branch of the Newport Beach Public Library struggled for many years to achieve brick-and-mortar permanence. The Library in Corona del Mar (or CDM) dates back to the mid-1940's. By 1947 the population of Corona del Mar was such that residents needed a library closer than Balboa, where the main City library was located. Working with the Corona del Mar Business Association, library officials organized and opened "a tiny library station" of the City library in a CDM storefront. 
The station was on the corner of Goldenrod and Pacific Coast Highway and monthly rent was $45.
Though it started small, by 1952 the Library already needed more space. During this same time period the City of Newport Beach was in the process of adding onto Ensign School. Planners offered space within the school addition to be used by the library.
While the Ensign addition was constructed, however, Library staff still had a space issue. After expanding the Balboa library, in 1953 the City focused on the Corona del Mar station. Unfortunately, officials were not quite ready to order the construction of a new building. So the 'library' was moved from the Goldenrod storefront to the home of
the Corona del Mar School custodian (histories would indicate that the custodian was not at home). At 501 Dahlia Street, across the street from Corona del Mar Elementary School, the new Corona del Mar library (below) was open Tuesday through Saturday from one in the afternoon until six in the evening.
However, the Library's space issue wasn't truly resolved. According to long-time City Librarian Dorothea Sheely, "It wasn't long before the bathtub was full of books, and extra space became paramount." The promised space at Ensign School finally became available in 1956 and the Corona del Mar library moved in. By then, a group of residents and library staff had become committed to the foundation of a permanent library building in the neighborhood of Corona del Mar. In June of 1957 this group started the Friends of the Newport Beach Public Library. Their goal: to raise awareness (and funds) for a new library in Corona del Mar.
Originally the Friends hoped to convince City residents to vote for a library bond issue. Unfortunately, 1958 was not the year to do so. So the Friends instead began a campaign of fundraising. They hosted tea parties, literary events, evenings of dance and music, guest speakers and even participated in corporate competitions to raise money. One such competition was sponsored by the Disney company and focused on community improvement.
In addition to fundraising events, the Friends relied on their own and members of the community. Many donated funds as well as talent and initiative. Some residents could give even more. Dorothy Furnace (nee Harry) donated two parcels of land on Narcissus Avenue. It was later decided that the parcels were not large enough to build on so they were sold--for $17,000--to raise money for the building of the new library. Of the $29,000 required to build the libra
ry, an estimated 90% was raised through donations.
Finally, on July 28th, 1959 the new Corona del Mar library opened. On hand for the dedication was Vice-Mayor Charles Hart, State Librarian Carma Leigh, City Librarian Dorothea Sheely, City Manager Robert Shelton, Library staff, Library trustees, the Friends of the Library who had made the dream a reality, and many invited guests from the community.
As wonderful as the new building was, it wasn't long before the library needed more space. In 1968, after many efforts by the Friends, staff, Board of Trustees 
and with the help of the City, 2,000 square feet were added to the building. The addition was facilitated by the purchase of on an adjacent lot (formerly the Annie Hughes garage lot) between the library and the fire station. Paid for by revenue from the Building Excise Tax Fund, the Board's main stipulation was that the addition be relocate-able and have a high resale value.
With the new addition in place the library could now house 25,000 books.While the size of the library has not changed since 1968, the look and equipment
certainly have. Customers may now visit the library to check their email and check out DVDs as well as to check out books and read the newspaper.
References:
Sheely, Dorothea Wilson. Brief history of the Newport Beach Library System (1976). In Stevenson, Shirley E., Dorothea Wilson Sheely: thirty years as City Librarian of Newport Beach (Appendix I) (1987).Fullerton, CA: California State University.
Stevenson, Shirley E. (1987). Dorothea Wilson Sheely: thirty years as City Librarian of Newport Beach.Fullerton, CA: California State University.
Black and white photos used with permission of the Sherman Library.
