The Mechanics' Institute Library and Chess Room is a historic membership library, cultural event center, and chess club located in the Financial District of San Francisco, California at 57 Post Street. Founded in 1854 to serve the vocational needs of out-of-work gold miners, the Institute today is a favorite of avid readers, writers, downtown employees, students, film lovers, chess players, and the 21st century nomadic worker who needs a quiet place to plug in a laptop and do research.
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Though initially a library dedicated to the mechanical arts, a merger with another institution, known as the Mercantile Library Association, in 1906 caused the Mechanics’ Institute Library’s collection to drop its technical focus. Its collection today covers all subjects with special strengths in literature, fine and performing arts, history, philosophy, business, finance, and periodicals that are hard-to-find in electronic format. The latest best-sellers and films are also available as is a rapidly growing audio-book, e-book, and music collection.
The Mechanics’ Institute prides itself on personal service and its dedication to the “intellectual growth of its members[1] ”. Members are encouraged to recommend materials for purchase, attend workshops, and participate in literature and film discussions groups. Currently there are five book discussion groups on a variety of genres, and three writers’ groups offering peer-to-peer support, advice, and camaraderie.
The Mechanics’ Institute Events department presents over fifty author events a year, offering a broad spectrum of authors and themes, including fiction and non-fiction, with an emphasis on American and world history, arts and architecture, biography, science and technology, social trends, economy, and culinary arts. Special Programs such as the San Francisco Noir Literary Night, World Poetry Reading, Bloomsday , and a Bastille Day Celebration are popular annual events.
The CinemaLit Film Series presents 35 films a year featuring classic American, Retro and foreign films. The evening begins with introductions by prominent film critics, writers and reviewers with a lively discussion after each film. CinemaLit draws an, eclectic, diverse audience with many film buffs dedicated to our Friday night film salon.
Author events, CinemaLit and Special Programs are open to members and the public. Free attendance at most Events and CinemaLit are a benefit of membership.
The Mechanics' Institute building houses the oldest continuously operating chess club in the United States. Many World Champions have visited the chess room from Emanuel Lasker in 1902 to Boris Spassky in 2006. In 2009 one of chess club’s young students, 12 year-old Daniel Naroditsky won the World Championship for his age group. Activities are offered for all levels of players from beginners to Grandmasters. Tournaments are the lifeblood of the Chess Room with weekend events and Tuesday Night Marathons the anchors.
Membership in the Mechanics’ Institute is open to the public. Each membership offers the full services of the Library and Chess Room, along with free admittance or special member rates to special events, lectures, book discussion groups, classes, and other activities.
In 1848, the discovery of gold lured people from all over the world to California. By 1853 most of the surface gold had disappeared causing the town of San Francisco to suffer major economic decline and a flood of former miners who had no jobs, no skills, and no prospects. In 1854 the Mechanics’ Institute started out with four books, a chess room and a mission to start a vocational school. At this time in California there were no public services such as libraries (not until 1879 would the San Francisco Public Library open ), colleges, or universities. Within a few years the Mechanics' was offering classes in such subjects as woodworking, mechanical drawing, industrial design, electrical science, applied mathematics, and ironwork. The Institute’s importance in California technical education reached its pinnacle in 1868 when the California Legislature granted a charter for the establishment of the University of California. The Institute participated in the fledgling University’s first years, hosting technical classes and presenting lectures on all topics, helping develop the curriculum, and sitting on the Board of Regents until 1974.
Aside from its educational endeavors, the Institute was also instrumental in the promotion of industry within the San Francisco Bay Area. Beginning in 1857, using land donated by land baron James Lick, the Institute hosted industrial fairs where inventions, art, and products of all kinds were displayed to thousands of people. Awards were presented to the winning exhibitors many of whom are still in business today (Levi Strauss, Singer Sewing Machines, Goodyear Tire, Boudin Bakery, Heald Business College, Gump's, and Ghirardelli Chocolate to name a few).[2][3]