It was a day of celebration as the community of Dos Palos marked the completion of three major projects—all right next to each other.
During the morning of Wednesday, May 14, before well over 100 people, ribbon cuttings were held to celebrate the new Lorraine Street Bridge, the brand-new Jerry O’Banion Library and the much-needed renovation of Del Hale Hall.
“Absolutely gorgeous,” is the way Merced County’s head librarian Amy Taylor described the state-of-the-art library, named after the late O’Banion, who served Dos Palos and the Westside of the county for 28 years as a county supervisor.
“It is so wonderful how it turned out,” said Taylor, one of many government officials who came out for the occasion.
The 3,500 square foot library has 15,000 book titles to choose from.
Brand new computers have been installed, and Taylor said there are children’s computers available with “learning games” and no internet.
Taylor added that like the old downtown library, the new facility will be open 20 hours a week on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
“I have put in a request to increase the hours,” she explained. “It has not been approved yet. Our goal is to have the new library open five days a week.”
Taylor also said that O’Banion, throughout his tenure, was a strong supporter of county libraries.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for Dos Palos,” she said. “Jerry was dedicated to Dos Palos and the Westside, and he was dedicated to library services.”
Scott Silveira, who succeeded O’Banion as the Merced County District 5 Supervisor, called his predecessor “a pillar of Merced County.”
“Jerry O’Banion was a champion for rural communities and a tireless advocate for education and opportunity,” said Silveira. “Naming this library after him ensures that his legacy will live on, inspiring generations to come. This library is not just a building filled with books. It is a symbol of what Jerry stood for—access, equity, and the belief that everyone deserves a chance to learn, grow and thrive.”
The O’Banion family was represented at the ribbon cutting by his wife of 53 years, Dolly, a longtime Dos Palos educator, their children and grandchildren.
Their daughter Lynn Pastori addressed the crowd and remembered some tough decisions that her father had to make in the past.
“Early in his time on the Board of Supervisors, during a difficult period of economic hardship, he made the reluctant decision to reduce the county library system to a minimal schedule,” Pastori said. “It was a vote that weighed heavily on him for the rest of his life. He often said it was one of the ‘only’ mistakes of his public service.
“From that point on, he worked tirelessly to ensure libraries were supported and never again put in that position. He believed libraries were essential to our children, our families, and to the future of our communities.”
Dos Palos Mayor Katy Miller noted that O’Banion was “definitely committed to making a difference in our community and improving the quality of life for all of Dos Palos. He made a difference and is deserving of this honor. His work and memory will forever have an impact on our community.”
The mayor also thanked State Senator Any Caballero for securing $3 million in state funding that went with a Building Forward Grant of $2.7 million to complete the library.
The Lorraine Street Bridge replacement is a rarity for government projects—it came in on time and on budget.
Mayor Miller noted that when it was discovered that the bridge was leaking and water was seeping consistently under Center Avenue, a major replacement was needed.
“The city diligently explored funding options and cooperative agreements to have the first of four bridges replaced,” said Miller. “In cooperation with the city, the Central California Irrigation District was able to eliminate the water seepage under Center Avenue and Westside Regional Measure V project funding made it all possible.”
And finally, the Dos Palos Lions Club will again be renting out the refurbished Del Hale Hall sometime next month for wedding receptions and other celebrations.
As Pastori alluded to the economic hardships that Merced County faced in the early 1990s, the Lions Club stepped up back then to oversee the hall and the adjacent O’Banion Park. It has been a lot of work for the local club and the renting of the hall will bring in much-needed revenue for the organization.
