Blog

A few years ago, when former Chess Director, John Donaldson, handed me the Chess Room Visitor’s Register to place into the archives, he pointed out several notable signatures of Mechanics’ Institute’s Chess Room visitors and players. Among these names was Norman T. Whitaker, whom Donaldson described as a “con man”  saying he “had something to do with exto...

As we all shelter at home during the pandemic, we are finding numerous ways to entertain ourselves whether it is by reading, watching DVDs, or listening to audiobooks. I know that I am reading about 3 books per week besides doing jigsaw puzzles, cooking, binge-watching baking shows, and cleaning out closets!

So far, my favorite book has been the new fantasy novel by Sarah J. Maas, House of Earth and Blood, the first book of her Crescent City trilogy. ...

San Francisco and California 20th-Century U.S. History, Part 1 of 4

The Mechanics’ Institute holds hundreds of titles in e-book format, including a wealth of history books. In fact, our digital history collection includes some forty sub-topics (mostly geographical). In this, the first of four lists we’ll be posting, you’ll find a sample of our e-book offerings on local and state history.

Click on any title below to learn more abou...

Do you have fond memories of a library you’ve visited? If so, you’ll relate to the following recollections from Mechanics’ Institute staff about libraries they’ve loved—and never, ever forgotten. (Scroll to the end for info on how to share your own story.)

From Pit Stop to Passion

My first real love for a library was by accident. Riding my bi...