Niagara Falls Public Library (Ontario)
| Niagara Falls Public Library | |
|---|---|
 Victoria branch of the library | |
 | |
| Location | Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada |
| Type | Public |
| Branches | 3 |
The Niagara Falls Public Library is a public library system in the Canadian city of Niagara Falls, Ontario. The library has three branches: Victoria Avenue, Stamford Centre, and the Community Centre.[1] There are two former branch libraries: Drummond (closed 1993) and Chippawa (closed 2024). A bookmobile provides resources to different areas of the city.
History
[edit]
In 2021, the library completely removed fines for patrons who were late in returning materials. If items are not returned within 28 days, they are charged a replacement fee.[3] In 2023, the library had 45,000 members, which was approximately half the city's population.[4] That year, the library digitized old resources such as VHS and audio cassette tapes for historical preservation.[5] The library has a program where gardeners are given free seeds.[6] There is also a program that offers fishing supplies and equipment.[7] There is a reading club for children each summer.[8]
Victoria
[edit]In 2018, the Victoria branch received a donated piano as part of a broader project to display them in public spaces.[9] This branch is also the only one to lend musical instruments.[10] In 2022, the branch was used as a warming centre for homeless individuals during the winter.[11] In March 2024, the city council discussed whether some of the Victoria branch could be converted into housing for the homeless.[12] This prompted the library board, a separate entity that operates the libraries in the city, to send a letter in response. The letter expressed concerns about the idea and reiterated its autonomy.[13]
Drummond
[edit]In 1949, the Drummond branch library was relocated from one location on Main Street to another on the same street. An opening ceremony featuring the Governor General of Canada was held.[14] It was the first library in Canada to be dedicated by someone holding this position.[15] The new site was protested by a business delegation, while the mayor of the city stated that it was within the library board's remit.[16] The library building was visited by librarians from other places in Ontario that wished to study it.[17] There were also librarians that visited from New York.[18] An auditorium with a capacity of 145 people was built for the branch. It was the first auditorium to be built for a library in Canada and the project cost $11,500.[19] A minimum $3 fee was charged to third parties who wished to use it. An extra dollar was charged per hour for use at night and groups that charged for admission had a minimum fee of $5.[20] A committee reviewed applications to use the auditorium.[21] The branch had a room for high school students specifically.[22] In 1978, the city council cut the library's budget by $35,000.[23] This caused the library board to consider closing the branch.[24] They decided to keep it open but with reduced hours.[25] In 1992, the library board decided to close the branch after further budget cuts as it would save an estimated $50,000 annually and was not as busy compared to other branches.[26] Businesses on Main Street that would be impacted by the closure signed a petition to keep it open.[27] Despite these efforts, the branch was closed in 1993.[28] The property was sold later that year to the Greater Niagara Transit Commission.[29] A 1927 piano present in the building was also sold.[30]
Stamford
[edit]The Stamford library branch opened in 1957 on Portage Road and funding was originally provided by the Stamford Township Council.[31] In order to establish the branch, the Niagara Falls library board signed a five year lease while the Stamford library board agreed to pay the rent.[32] This was the first time a contract to provide library service was created in Ontario. A copy of the contract was given to the Department of Education for other municipalities to study if they wished to form similar arrangements.[33] The branch allowed those residing in Stamford to have greater access to library resources,[34] as the township concluded that operating an independent system would be less cost efficient.[35] Patrons were initially restricted to borrowing three books before more materials were prepared for circulation.[36] In 1958, 1,849 members borrowed 29,496 books from the branch. Approximately 1,200 of these patrons were children.[37]
When the lease expired in 1962, the library was moved to a building behind the Town and Country plaza. The rent, still paid for by the township, went from $140 to $297 monthly. A shopping plaza was considered to be a more ideal location due to traffic.[38] A strike by truck employees delayed the library's opening date, as it had not yet received purchased shelving.[39] When the township was amalgamated by the city, library service was not interrupted.[40] In 1963, stained glass depicting a nativity scene was installed by a local artist on windows in the children's section of the library.[41]
In 1974, the library relocated within the plaza itself.[42] The branch was expanded in 1986.[31] In 2021, the Stamford branch closed for renovations. The COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario caused delays in its implementation.[43] In 2023, A. N. Myer Secondary School was used as a temporary location for the branch.[44] The library branch reopened in April 2024.[43] A community fundraiser and $760,000 from local casinos were used to fund these renovations.[45]
Chippawa
[edit]The first library in Chippawa opened in 1921. There was not a public library until 1967. This library cost 32,000 dollars and operated until 1984, when it was relocated into a larger building.[46] In May 2024, the Chippawa branch was closed permanently.[47] This branch will eventually be replaced.[48] The branch's closure caused MPP Wayne Gates to make a statement in the Ontario legislature about the lack of library funding in the province.[49] One factor relating to its closure was the building's lack of accessibility. Chippewa library patrons were encouraged to use digital library resources instead and to borrow from the bookmobile that visits the Chippawa Willoughby Memorial Arena.[50] This bookmobile was launched a month before the closure and is a van equipped with books and other materials.[51] It runs six days a week and makes various stops throughout Niagara Falls.[48]
See also
[edit]- St. Catharines Public Library
- Thorold Public Library
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library
- List of libraries in Ontario
References
[edit]- ^ "Our Locations". Niagara Falls Public Library. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ Spiteri, Ray. "Niagara Falls city council approves new operating plan for MacBain Community Centre". Niagara Falls Review. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ Vienneau, Eric. "Niagara Falls Public Library officially goes fine-free". CHCH. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ Spiteri, Ray. "Niagara Falls Public Library 'very proud' of its growing membership base". Niagara Falls Review. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ Janssen, Greg. "Added playback devices help library digitization program". Niagara This Week. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ Janssen, Greg. "High school volunteers help power the Niagara Falls Public Library". Niagara This Week. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ Dixon, Becky. "TackleShare and fishing education programs return to Niagara Falls Public Library". Niagara This Week. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ Dixon, Becky. "Our Summer Reading Club is back and bigger than ever". Niagara This Week. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ Spiteri, Ray. "Piano art project still a hit in Niagara Falls". Niagara Falls Review. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ Chadwick, Laura. "You can hit the right note at the Niagara Falls library". Niagara This Week. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ Forsyth, Paul. "Coronation Centre becomes warming centre in Niagara Falls for vulnerable people". Niagara This Week. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ Spiteri, Ray. "Niagara Falls library board 'open' to talks with city about future of Victoria Avenue branch". The Niagara Falls Review. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ Spiteri, Ray. "Discussion on Victoria Avenue library use as potential homeless shelter raises alarm bells". The Niagara Falls Review. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ "Dedication of New Library By Governor-General on May 30". Niagara Falls Review. March 10, 1949.
- ^ "To Be First Library In Canada Dedicated By the Gov.-General". Niagara Falls Review. March 18, 1949.
- ^ "Library Site Is Opposed". Niagara This Week. No. April 1, 1947.
- ^ "Many Visitors To Branch Library". Niagara Falls Review. September 17, 1949.
- ^ "Many Visitors To Drummond Branch Library". Niagara Falls Review. October 13, 1950.
- ^ "Open New Auditorium In Drummond Branch Library". Niagara Falls Review. November 1, 1950.
- ^ "Rates Set For Auditorium In Library". Niagara Falls Review. December 14, 1950.
- ^ "Applications For Use Auditorium Branch Library". Niagara Falls Review. November 14, 1950.
- ^ "Drummond Branch Young People's Room Open Nights". Niagara Falls Review. October 17, 1950.
- ^ "Library date is undecided". Niagara Falls Review. May 3, 1978.
- ^ "Public outcry over possible library closing". Niagara Falls Review. May 16, 1978.
- ^ "Branch library given reprieve". Niagara Falls Review. May 20, 1978.
- ^ "Axe falls on Drummond library". Niagara Falls Review. November 30, 1992.
- ^ Skeffington, Mark (January 11, 1993). "Merchants call for library rescue". Niagara Falls Review.
- ^ Yates, Elizabeth (January 4, 1993). "Employees, patrons philosophical about Drummond branch closure". Niagara Falls Review.
- ^ Sale of Drummond Branch Library (Report). The City of Niagara Falls Canada.
- ^ Dibattista, Mike (May 24, 1993). "Library piano goes on the block". Niagara Falls Review.
- ^ a b Roy, Cathy. "Stamford Centre library has a long history of expansions". Niagara This Week. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ "Library Slated for Twp". Niagara Falls Review. March 5, 1957.
- ^ "City-Township Operation Is Termed Unique". Niagara Falls Review. September 26, 1957.
- ^ "Will Function As Unit of This City's System". Niagara Falls Review. May 14, 1957.
- ^ "Branch Library To Be Opened Saturday At Stamford Centre". Niagara Falls Review. June 21, 1957.
It has been found that small independent units are expensive to operate and give unsatisfactory service. By combining small libraries in one system all the books in that system are available to a borrower at any branch
- ^ "Wit Wonder Wisdom". Niagara Falls Review. June 21, 1957.
- ^ "Library Report Presented". Niagara Falls Review. February 7, 1959.
- ^ "New Library Proposed for Stamford Centre". Niagara Falls Review. November 6, 1961.
- ^ "Truck Strike Halts Opening of Stamford Centre Library". Niagara Falls Review. June 19, 1962.
- ^ Ainslie, G. Douglas (January 8, 1963). "Twp. Benefitted By Library Service". Niagara Falls Review.
- ^ "Christmas Windows". Niagara Falls Review. December 17, 1963.
- ^ "New Library Branch Will Open Thursday". Niagara Falls Review. December 18, 1974.
- ^ a b Jenssen, Greg. "Stamford Centre Library in Niagara Falls nearing opening date". Niagara This Week. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ Hutton, Richard. "Niagara Falls library goes back to school". Niagara This Week. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ Forsyth, Paul. "Niagara Falls Public Library launches fundraising campaign for Stamford Centre branch expansion". Niagara This Week. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ Roy, Cathy. "Chippawa's library has deep roots in the community". Niagara This Week. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ Spiteri, Ray. "Niagara Falls Public Library permanently closes Chippawa branch". Niagara Falls Review. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ a b Janssen, Greg. "Niagara Falls Public Library putting on the miles with the bookmobile". Niagara This Week. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ Spiteri, Ray. "Chippawa library closure 'a slap in the face': Gates". Niagara This Week. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ "Niagara Falls Public Library Board to permanently close Chippawa building". CKTB News. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ Barker, Matthew. "Library bookmobile soon to traverse Niagara Falls streets". St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
External links
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