Library has been a big part of village life since 1800s
Open house showcased renovations, upgrades
The Norwood Library held an open house on Aug. 13 to officially unveil some of the new updates and renovations that have taken place in the Colborne Street branch over the last few months. A grant from the federal government provided the opportunity to upgrade accessibility, esthetics and efficiency; improvements included new paint, carpet, windows, furniture, the lowering of the bookshelves and creating a comfortable reading nook.
The Norwood library had its start as a “reading room and lending library” in a log building that had originally served as Norwood’s first school and was located on Peterborough Street (also known as Highway 7). By 1872 The Mechanics Institute, as it was called, was incorporated and relocated to the basement of the Town Hall.
It had a membership of 57 people who paid an annual subscription rate of $1 to have access to
783 volumes, three magazines and four periodicals.
In the beginning the “librarians” had all been volunteers, opening the building on evenings and weekends. Demand increased enough that in 1905 the board hired the first paid librarian who for the grand sum of $75 per year opened the library every day, except Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closing for one hour at lunch). Additionally, it would open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Around 1913 the idea of a new and dedicated building to house the library’s growing collection was brought forward, a new site was procured and an application was made to the Carnegie Foundation
from New York who at the time was funding the building of many libraries across North America.
After several delays, the plans finally receive approval from the Carnegie Foundation in 1922 granting the village the sum of $5,000 to build their new library. The board was informed that the town of Glencoe in Southwestern Ontario was also to build a library
with Carnegie funding. Norwood offered to split the costs of the blueprints, Glencoe accepting the offer and so it is that Norwood and Glencoe have “twin” libraries.
The library and its collection continued to grow over the decades, into the 1980s the role of libraries also began to grow, such as the introduction of computer and internet workstations. It became evident that the building was not large enough anymore, by 1994 the board had secured funding and a major renovation took place that included an addition to the rear of the building, doubling it in size, an elevator was added to the front entrance and wheelchair accessible washrooms were added.
For more information about the library contact CEO/librarian Kris Van Luven at 705-639-2228 or by email at norwest@asphodelnorwood.com
Hot Rods for Hospice
Hospice Norwood is hosting a Hot Rods for Hospice Fundraiser on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Community Centre parking lot (use the Alma St. entrance). Enjoy a fantastic show of beautiful classic and vintage automobiles and motorcycles, the barbecues will be going, there will be plenty of music, prizes and more. Donations will be taken at the entry gate; the show will go rain or shine all proceeds go directly to the Hospice project.