History of our Libraries

1842

Anne Langton writes in her journal about a library in Bobcaygeon operated by Mr. John Henry Taylor. "I shall talk to Taylor about the library. I find that the quarterly sixpence is a hindrance to the circulation of books. Some subscribe and never do, whilst other who are really thriving say they have never found themselves rich enough. This must be more from the scarcity of cash than from the actual value of the sum. John says there seems to be no difficulty in producing sixpence for glass of grog."

1887

Mechanics' Institute is formed. From the minutes of the first meeting, dated December 5th, "A number of ladies and gentlemen interested in organizing a Mechanics' Institute met in Taylor's Hall to take the necessary steps in appointing officers who might conduct the affairs of the Institute." The first purchase for the library is a set of Charles Dickens's works.This first library, located in Taylor's Hall (above Ross Forbert's Gift Shoppe), was reached by climbing a set of extremely steep stairs. A reading room was available to members, where in addition to books; they could read the Globe, the Illustrated London News, the Canadian Post, the builder's edition of the Scientific American, and the Saturday Night.

1893

In February, the Mechanics' Institute library is closed for three months due to an outbreak of diphtheria.

1907

On August 16, the Mechanics' Institute library board arranges a trip to the Kirkfield Lift-lock aboard the steamer Manita as a library fundraiser. Since practically all the town residents planned to go on this trip, a civic holiday is declared in the village.

1930

Numerous meetings are held to discuss building a library at the end of the bridge, however, when war breaks out in 1939, these plans are abandoned.

1940

At the invitation of the masons, the Mechanics' Institute Library moves to quarters in the old Orr Building at the north-east corner of King and Bolton streets.

1953

Miss Sheila Boyd had long envisioned the old Boyd Lumber Company office (once the original home of the Boyd family) as an appropriate home for the Mechanics' Institute Library, however, the library could not afford the heat and upkeep on a building of this size, so an agreement is drawn up to share the building with the Village and the Township. The east wing of the Boyd building becomes the new home of the library, while the Village Municipal office and Hydro are to take the main business office, and the Verulam Council takes the west wing.

1960

The Council of the Village of Bobcaygeon passes a by-law to establish the Mechanics' Institute as a public library, making the Bobcaygeon Public Library an asset belonging to the whole community.

1967

Mr. John Grant is engaged to build an extension to the Bobcaygeon Public Library. Great care is taken to ensure the new section harmonized with the old building.

1967

After the passing of beloved librarian Amy Cosh, the new wing is named in her memory.

2001

Victoria County Public Library merges with the Lindsay Public Library to reform as Kawartha Lakes Public Library.

2001

The City of Kawartha Lakes considers moving the Bobcaygeon Public Library out of the Boyd building and into the municipal building that was constructed in the mid-1990s to house the municipal offices, council chamber and Bobcaygeon Hydro. Cost of the move is estimated at $112,000, necessary to reinforce the floor so it can bear the weight of the stacks of books and add a wheelchair ramp to the building's front door. City Council reverses their decision to move the library after strong opposition from the public.

2009

The Bobcaygeon branch of Kawartha Lakes Public Library applies for $600,000 from the Infrastructure Canada Stimulus Fund, which will cover two thirds of a much needed expansion. City Council is asked to be responsible for remaining third.

1956

By arrangement with the Victoria County Public Library, Harriet Millyard operates a library deposit station from a room in the drug store at 6651 Highway 35 (in the building that would be well-known as Souter's Variety) where she works alongside her husband Dr. Wiley Millyard.

1960

Coboconk Library deposit station closes due to lack of use.

1967

In June, the Coboconk deposit station resumes in the Millyard store. It becomes so successful that later in the year the Coboconk Public Library is opened in the Lions' Club Hall (9 Grandy Road.)

1971

Coboconk Public Library moves into lower floor of the community centre.

2001

Victoria County Public Library merges with the Lindsay Public Library to reform as Kawartha Lakes Public Library.

2003

Coboconk branch of Kawartha Lakes Public Library opens in combination with a municipal service centre on May 29 attached to the Lions' Club Hall.

1970

Ontario Premier Leslie Frost opens the Dalton Township Library in the township community centre in Sebright in June.

2001

Victoria County Public Library merges with the Lindsay Public Library to re-form as Kawartha Lakes Public Library.

1968

On August 13th, the people of Dunsford gather in the United Church Hall for a discussion and planning of a library. A library board is formed and for a short time the Dunsford Public Library is housed in the United Church Hall.

1990

The community officially opens a building that is both a community centre and library, after receiving a grant from Wintario.

2000

City of Kawartha Lakes Library Task Force recommends the closure of the Dunsford branch.

2001

Victoria County Public Library merges with the Lindsay Public Library to re-form as Kawartha Lakes Public Library.

2008

Kawartha Lakes Public Library board once again looks at closing the Dunsford branch.

2012

Dunsford branch's lease in the community hall is renewed.

1878

Fenelon Falls forms a Mechanics' Institute.

1910

The Mechanics' Institute Library is located on Francis Street in the small building behind the Bank of Montreal.

1935

The Mechanics' Institute Library moves to Colborne Street into the building that was at one time the Sterling Bank. This location is later destroyed to make space for the IGA grocery store parking lot.

1970

The Fenelon Falls Library joins the Victoria County Library.

1976

Fundraising campaign begins to provide Fenelon Falls with a modern library building.

1980

The Fenelon Falls Library moves to Market Street, and is officially opened April 25, 1981.

1993

The Fenelon Falls Library moves into building expansion on Market Street.

2001

Victoria County Public Library merges with the Lindsay Public Library to re-form as Kawartha Lakes Public Library.

2003

The Fenelon branch of the Kawartha Lakes Public Library celebrates 125 years.

1906

George Train operates a library along with his stationary and book shop on Lot 1, east of Main Street. Anyone could join the library for fifty cents.

1917

George Train's store is destroyed by fire along with the entire block of buildings from the Dunbar Hotel south to the river.

1967

Somerville township joins the Victoria County Co-op Library, and opens a library in the basement of the Kinmount Community Centre (at 4995 Monck Road) with the official opening of the Kinmount Library on May 12.

1990s

Township opens a municipal office.

2001

Victoria County Public Library merges with the Lindsay Public Library to reform as Kawartha Lakes Public Library.

2001

Municipal service centre closes in April, but reopens within the Kinmount branch of the Kawartha Lakes Public Library as a "city information centre."

2005

Kinmount branch moves into the upper level of the former Somerville municipal office at 3980 County Road 121.

1894

Kirkfield establishes a library.

1925

On January 25, fire breaks out of the barber shop located over the public library (location of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in 1972) and completely destroys the south-west business block, including the public library and 300 new books.

1957

Kirkfield Library is located over a garage until a new building is found.

1959

Kirkfield Library moves in with the fire hall and municipal offices in July. Kirkfield Library becomes Eldon Township Library.

1994

Opening of new library building at the north-east corner of Portage and Kirkfield Roads in September with celebration of 100th anniversary of the Kirkfield Library.

2001

Victoria County Public Library merges with the Lindsay Public Library to re-form as Kawartha Lakes Public Library.

2003

On May 7th the Kirkfield branch of the Kawartha Lakes Public moves to the Kirkfield Service Centre.

1860

A reading room is established in May 1860 on the north side of Kent Street near York Street. This building would have been lost in the great fire of 1861.

1863

The Lindsay Reading Room is opened in the living quarters at the back of Thomas Beall's store in the "Keenan Block." The reading room is supported by an annual fee of $6 from each of the 130 leading citizens, and remains in operation until 1871.

1879

The first meeting of the Lindsay Mechanics' Institute is held November 24th to establish the Institute.

1880

The Institute moves to the second floor of the old Dominion Bank (current TD Bank.) The Institute provides adult education for young men on technical subjects, and includes evening lectures, lending libraries and reading rooms. Membership is $1 per year in 1894.

1882

The Free Libraries Act gives authority to turn Mechanics' Institutes into Free Public Libraries and also to tax property for the maintenance of free public libraries.

1889

Grand Trunk Railway opens a library on the second floor of the Grand Trunk Station at Durham Street West (at William Street South.) This library remained in operation until the 1920s.The library carried around 1600 volumes alongside periodicals available to railroaders and others for a membership fee of five cents per month. The Grand Trunk Library was one of four such libraries in Ontario and Quebec, the others being located at Belleville, Montreal, and Stratford.

1893

Bylaw No. 663 is to provide for the establishment of a Free Library in the Town of Lindsay.

1895

The provincial government legislates that Mechanics' Institutes transform themselves into public libraries, and as a result the Institute's name changes to Lindsay Public Library.

1899

Citizens of Lindsay vote to make the library free to citizens of the Town of Lindsay, acting under the authority of The Free Libraries Act, 1882.

1901

When word reaches Canada that Andrew Carnegie is granting money for the construction of libraries, an application is sent from the Town of Lindsay.

1902

Carnegie grants $13,500 to build a library for the 7000 citizens with the condition the town will continue to provide funds every year for building maintenance.

1904

The new Carnegie building of the Lindsay Public Library opens.

1954

A group of citizen begin the Lindsay and District Film Council, where members meet at the Lindsay Public Library to watch films and may also borrow a 16mm sound projector, film reels, and a projector screen, all of which were kept at the library.

1968

When the Lindsay and District Film Council dissolves, the library is given the equipment to establish an Audio-Visual Department. Over the next few years, the department expands, adds more films, cassettes, and slides, and loans projectors, cassette players, projection screens.

1974

After a couple decades of stretching beyond the library's maximum capacity for 20,000 books, Lindsay Town Council approves $150,000 in addition to $50,000 already earmarked for an addition to the library on the condition that the Library Board raise $180,000 by grants and public subscription. The addition is paid for by a grant of $325,000 from Ministry of Culture & Recreation, and $162,500 from private donations and public donations from the taxpayers.

1977

Official opening of the new addition on September 16, 1977. One room on the second floor of the new addition opens as the Ethel Flavelle Art Gallery.

1985

The Ethel Flavelle Art Gallery moves out of the library when it merges with Studio 8 Gallery located at 8 Victoria Avenue North.

1987

The Lindsay Public Library selects Munroe Scott to serve as writer-in-residence for one year.

1988

The original portion of the Lindsay Public Library, known as the Carnegie building, including both the exterior and parts of the interior, was approved for protection under the Ontario Heritage Act in March of 1988. Lindsay's Chief Librarian, Moti Tahiliani receives "Outstanding Librarian of the Year" from the Ontario Library Trustees Association.

1990

The Reference Department expands and relocates from the main floor to its current location on the second floor. The card catalogue goes digital and becomes available on computers.

1992

The Lindsay Public Library wins the Canadian Library Association's Meckler Award for Innovative Technology. The annual award is presented to one library in Canada each year. The Lindsay Library won for the state-of-the-art Digital Video Interactive project in the reference department. This project allows users to electronically archive fragile material (documents, photographs, video, audio recordings) onto a computer disk. The project was unveiled in 1991, the only of its kind in Canada.

1993

The Lindsay Public Library opens a Science Department designed to get young people excited about the science and technology. The new department contains science books from the children's department along with telescopes, microscopes, binoculars, science kits and computer programs, all of which could be borrowed. The department presents various workshops on different science topics. For a limited time the Library issues high-tech optical membership cards.

1994

The Lindsay Art Gallery moves into the Lindsay Public Library once again, when its former location on Victoria Avenue North is demolished to build a new police station.

2001

As a result of municipal amalgamation, the Lindsay Public Library merges with the Victoria County Library system to form the Kawartha Lakes Public Library.

2004

Celebration of 100th anniversary of the Carnegie building.

2005

Flood shuts down the branch for several days after heavy rain storm sends water through the roof, streaming down the walls, leaking out of light fixtures, and leaving soaked carpets and a collapsed ceiling tile.

1894

Little Britain forms a Mechanics' Institute in December from funds remaining from a successful sports day. This library is kept by Samuel A. Champion, a tailor, at 9 S. King Street East.

1895

Mechanics' Institute becomes a Public Library.

1897

Little Britain Library moves to a room over E.Z. Yerex's store in the north-east corner of Mill and King Streets.

1912

Mariposa Township takes over the assets of the Library Association and Bylaw 695 establishes a Public Library.

1921

Little Britain Public Library moves to the new community hall. Telephone switch operators also run the library.

1952

Little Britain Public Library becomes a member of the Victoria County Public Library System.

1968

Little Britain Public Library expands into the front office, formerly occupied by the telephone company.

1996

In October, Mariposa Township Council passes a resolution to move the library to the recreation room at the community centre. The move is made in part because the county is considering closing two of Mariposa township's three libraries. The Oakwood Library is to remain open, but the Manilla Library is on the ropes.

2001

Victoria County Public Library merges with the Lindsay Public Library to re-form as Kawartha Lakes Public Library.

2001

Little Britain Public Library becomes Little Britain branch of Kawartha Lakes Public Library.

1902

A meeting is held on October 30 to form the Corporation of the Norland Public Library in the home of J. A. Broadway.

1905

Norland Public Library moves to second floor of George W. Allely 's store. Library board passes a motion to sell all the volumes of poetry in favour of purchasing other reading material.

1945

Norland Public Library outgrows its space. Library board passes a motion to seek financial assistance in building a public library and reading room.

1951

Norland Library joins the Victoria County Library Co-operative. The Norland Library Board considers moving the library to the Community Memorial Hall, but finds the space is inadequate. Adding an addition to the Hall is discussed, but the Norland Community Club, which operates out of the Hall, decides building a library building will be its next project. Members of the Library Board drive all through the country in search of a suitable deserted building which could be purchased, dismantled and moved to Norland to provide material for a new library. Head Lake Union Church is selected, and over the next three years, volunteers dismantle and build a new building with contribution from the Norland Community Club, Department of Education and Norland Women's Institute.

1955

Norland Library moves to its own building, on Friday June 17 in a ceremony with Premier Leslie M. Frost, guest speaker, and Angus Mowatt, Director of Libraries.

1962

Plans for a new addition to the library building are prepared.

1964

Norland Library faces near disaster when the space heater pipe comes unhinged, letting a shower of soot and oil loose over the library. Fortunately no fire occurred, but the mess was dreadful.

1965

Norland Library opens the new addition June 17 with Leslie M. Frost once again attending.

1967

Norland Library is first to join the Victoria County Public Library.

1969

Norland Reeve serves notice at a meeting of County Council that he intends to present a motion that Victoria County withdraw from the Regional Library System. The County Board holds emergency meetings with all the local committees to plan a publicity campaign against the Reeve. The motion is defeated

1969

President of the Library Board resigns due to disliking the direction the Library is going under County supervision.

1970s

The entire Norland Library committee resigns.

1974

The library building enjoys a sprucing up of the exterior with the addition of a natural stone base, aluminum siding and a new door.

1994

Having outgrown its space, Norland Public Library moves to the new municipal office in the former Norland Public School at 3448 Monck Road 45.

2001

Victoria County Public Library merges with the Lindsay Public Library to re-form as Kawartha Lakes Public Library.

2002

Norland branch of the Kawartha Lakes Public Library holds 100th anniversary celebration on October 24. Local historian Vernon Lecraw attends. On display are six of the first books purchased by the library.

1897

On April 23, a meeting is held to appoint a board to provide for a library and reading room. The board arranges for a library over R.J. Coad's corner store. Coad acts as librarian and supplied heat and light for $50 per year. The reading room is open 12 hours a day and six days a week. A membership fee of 25 cents is charged for people ages 12 to 18 and 50 cents for others.

1905

The Oakwood Library moves to 13 N. King Street East.

1906

The Oakwood Library moves to 45 S. King Street West.

1910

The Oakwood Library moves to the Temperance House.

1926

The Oakwood Library moves to Wilmot F. Webster's store at the northwest corner.

1930

The Oakwood Library moves to 5 N. Eldon Street East.

1933

Reading room discontinues as well as the daily papers.

1951

The Oakwood Library joins the Victoria County Library Cooperative. Four times a year 225 books are exchanged by the Cooperative.

1954

Library Board is asked to find a new location for the Oakwood Library. A suitable site can't be found, so the library board, village trustees and the Women's Institute decide to build a combined library and fire hall.

1956

Premier Leslie Frost opens the new cement block building on June 21.

1975

Fire department moves out building, and the Oakwood Public Library expands into the vacant space.

1998

A problem in the furnace room results in fire, gutting the interior of the library building, leaving only the outside walls.

1999

The Oakwood Public Library reopens on October 23 in the newly repaired and renovated location.

2001

Victoria County Public Library merges with the Lindsay Public Library to re-form as Kawartha Lakes Public Library.

2002

The Oakwood branch of the Kawartha Lakes Public Library moves to the former municipal services building on Highway 7, and officially opens on October 23

1876

Omemee starts up a Mechanics Institute in February. The lending library and reading room are set up on the second floor of the Laidley Shoe Store (by 1973 this building would become known as Ross Rehill's store at 25 King Street East.) Money is raised to support the library through concerts at the Bradburn Opera House.

1907

Fire sweeps through several buildings in December. Bucket brigades are directed to save the Mechanics' Institute building adjoining John McCrea's beautiful brick residence.

1911

The Mechanics' Institute Library moves to the second floor of newly-built Coronation Hall, over the Council Chamber. Not long after this, lack of funds forces the committee in charge to close the library.

1919

Interested citizens are successful in re-opening the Mechanics' Institute library.

1934

The Mechanics' Institute becomes an associated library.

1950

The Omemee Library joins the Victoria County Library Co-operative.

1962

Library board requests to Council to re-locate the Omemee Library to the ground floor of the Hall. Council agrees to trade rooms with the library, and agrees to make the library public. As a result of the move, circulation triples.

1985

Omemee Public Library moves into the newly-completed addition.

2001

Victoria County Public Library merges with the Lindsay Public Library to re-form as Kawartha Lakes Public Library.

2002

City Council looks at moving the Omemee branch of the Kawartha Lakes Public Library to a modular building at the Omemee Curling Club, in order to allow more accommodation for the service centre also operating out of Coronation Hall.

2004

Kawartha Lakes Public Library looks at expanding the Omemee branch into Coronation Hall, an idea that is met with opposition from members of the public.

2017

The Omemee branch opens on November 21 in the newly renovated rental location at 24 King St. E., the former ACE Hardware store.

2018

The Official Opening of the Omemee branch is held on January 13 featuring local entertainment and greetings from the Mayor and Council, and the Library Board and Staff.

1891

Woodville opens a Mechanics' Institute in the J.C Gunn building.

1893

In November the Mechanics' Institute library moves to the J.C. Gilchrist building at 21 N. King Street East into a room that previously housed the post office, sharing the building with the Bell Telephone Office.

1895

1949

The Woodville Library moves into its own building on the site of the old Gregor Campbell blacksmith shop at 4 N. King St. E. Opening and dedication ceremony was held on May 28.

1966

The Woodville Library joins the County Library Co-operative.

Victoria County Public Library merges with the Lindsay Public Library to re-form as Kawartha Lakes Public Library.