A home for the arts

Medicine Hat Public Library’s 100 years is about more than just literature

Books, books and more books. Ask most people what the library is about, and that would be their answer. But as the Medicine Hat Public Library marks its hundredth year, a glance through history shows that the city’s library has not just been a place for literature, but film, music, visual arts and all other aspects of culture.

During the 1950s, under the lead of chief librarian Bob Block, the library began to acquire record collections and National Film Board productions. The library became a member of a local film council which brought in films from other places throughout the province.

As the 70s rolled along, television sets, turntables, headsets and receivers also became a part of the library, alongside a microfilm reader. In 1979, a audio-visual department was established. In more recent years, the library has played host to the Banff Film Festival, regularly shows documentaries and other films. And now, the library provides access to digital music, videos and more.

A wander through the library shows it is also home to numerous pieces of art.

This includes the piece by Prof. H.G. Glyde, who was commissioned to make a moveable mural on a pioneer theme to mark Alberta’s Jubilee year. Community members fundraised to help create this piece, including a “Wash line art sale” by Medicine Hat’s community art club in 1956.

Over the years, local artists have held their exhibits at the library, while drama groups use the auditorium — including Hatterland Children’s Theatre starting in 1966.

In 2001, Hatters could attend lunchtime theatrical productions at the library during the summer.

While it has since moved to the Medicine Hat College, the Rotary Music Festival was held at the library in in April 1965.

A concert series with MHC began in the fall of 1981, featuring instructors with the college’s music department and other Albertan musicians. These free concerts took place on Sunday afternoons and Alberta Culture presented the library with an award for these concerts in 1989.

Photos provided by the Esplanade Archives also give a glimpse at how the library has been a hub for the local arts community.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ESPLANADE ARCHIVES A group of children play the violin at the library in this photo from 1977.

Above: Donna MacLean (right) and others sit in front of the children’s mural that was in the works for Medicine Hat’s centennial and for the Medicine Hat Public Library in 1983. Above left: Chuck Meagher unveils the work of Luke Lindoes (right), given...