Sherman and Ruth Weiss Community Library

"We hope you may live long to gladden the seekers after knowledge, by furnishing buildings to house books that all may read for recreation and the educating of the people." -- Letter of thanks from the Hayward Library Board to Andrew Carnegie, 1904.

Hayward's first informal library was established by Norwegian immigrants. They held a collection of books on American themes and classics, all in Norwegian language.  The library was located in Clapperton Hall over the Drug Store.

The Hayward Free Library was founded in 1887 on the second floor of what is now the Hayward Bakery. Then in 1904 funds from Andrew Carnegie and a commitment from the townspeople of Hayward built the handsome Carnegie Library at the corner of Main and Highway 63.

The Hayward Carnegie Library advertised that it contained 3,000 volumes and a reading room with 14 different newspapers and periodicals. It was a proud first step to making Hayward more than a rough and tumble logging town.

Surprisingly, it took more than a century later, for the library to become taxed beyond its intended use. Customers were limited. We had eight parking spaces that were almost always full. Senior citizens and customers with physical challenges were unable to use the stairs to reach the main floor.  

After years of research and community dialogue, the Hayward Library Board of Trustees announced plans to build a new library. Their goal was to provide a progressive, comfortable and accessible building.