Lemon Grove Historical Society Honors Rosemary Putnam

Declaring 2013 the "Year of the Library," the Lemon Grove Historical Society marked its Annual Board Dinner on Mar. 23 in the H. Lee House by recognizing Rosemary Putnam, one of the region's great champions of public libraries.

"This is a landmark year for Lemon Grove," said historical society president Helen Ofield.  "Thanks to the vision and initiative of the Lemon Grove School District with Prop W, and the concern of the City of Lemon Grove for civic improvements, Rosemary's three decades of effort have not been in vain. The Lemon Grove Library now stands at 3001 School Lane in all its glory."

Putnam co-founded the Friends some 30 years ago, then led the organization as president for 20 years.  Their purpose was to sell used books with all proceeds matched by the San Diego County Library System in support of books, periodicals, large print books, children's collections, media products and equipment, public programs, even furniture and window blinds, for the Lemon Grove Library on Broadway.

Putnam pushed to establish the current Friends bookstore--the city's only bookstore--a popular place for book lovers of all ages.  Staffed by a loyal team of knowledgeable volunteers, the store is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1 - 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.  The last Saturday of the month is devoted to a half-price book sale.

Preeminently, Putnam worked to create the $60,000 nest egg that would buy the "First Day Collection" of new print and audiovisual items for the new library in her beloved City of Lemon Grove.  On June 27, 2012 she presented a check for $65,000 ($5,000 came from the City of Lemon Grove at her request) to José Aponte, director of the San Diego County Library System.

The county library system matched the Friends' money, growing the nest egg to $120,000.

Putnam's years of effort were recognized on Dec. 12, 2010 before an overflow crowd in the present Lemon Grove Library when the community room was renamed the Rosemary Putnam Community Room, a name that will travel to the new library on School Lane.

County, State and Congressional honors in 2001 and 2004 recognized her many accomplishments, among them, establishing in 1985 the Rancho Del Campo Library at the juvenile detention center at Campo, leading the PTA, founding the local chapter of the American Field Service for foreign exchange students, serving on the boards of the Lemon Grove Chamber of Commerce and Soroptimist International of Lemon Grove, leading the Navy Wives Speech and Hearing Clinics, and more.

At 92, Putnam's jam-packed life included marriage to the late Rear Admiral Ira Dwight Putnam and raising three accomplished daughters.  

The board of the historical society believes that Putnam's greatest gift is the "gift of an enquiring mind, which enables her to think outside the box on virtually any topic.  It is her mind, her humor and her loving, brave spirit that will continue to bring people together."