A century’s worth of reading
As the month comes to a close I cannot let it pass without giving a nod to a particular building that officially celebrates its one 100th year of service to the residents of the community and area. Norwood’s present day public library was officially opened to the public 100 years ago on Feb. 1, 1924.
The history of the public library in the village dates back considerably further of course, to the 1850s in fact when a reading room was opened in a log building on Peterborough Street. In 1872, the library or as it was known in the day The Mechanics Institute was incorporated in the village and operated out of the basement of the present day Town Hall under the direction of its own “library board.”
With operating funds secured through an annual subscription fee of $1, members had access to 783 volumes, three magazines and four periodicals. In the early 1900s, the idea of having a dedicated library building was popularized and plans to accomplish the task started to take shape.
As with most projects, cost is a deciding factor of how quickly plans come to fruition and the library project was no exception; it would be several years before any progress was made.
Grants or other such funding opportunities were always going to be necessary and contact with the Carnegie Corporation was made as early as 1913. Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American billionaire industrialist and philanthropist, his corporation provided funds to build 2,811 libraries across the globe during the early 20th century (125 in Canada).
Many factors needed to be in place before funding would be made available, the main one being a place to build the new facility. After a number of delays, a vacant lot on Colborne Street in the middle of Norwood’s downtown was settled on. The lot was the original site of a furniture factory called Minakkers, that had burned down in the late 1890s.
Plans were submitted to the Carnegie Corporation and after some back and forth negotiations they were finally approved in 1922 with Norwood receiving a grant of $5,000. Interestingly, at the same time the Village of Glencoe in southwestern Ontario was also in the process of building a library with the same amount of funding from the Carnegie Foundation.
It was decided that some savings could be realized by sharing the costs of preparing the architectural drawings. Thus Norwood and Glencoe have “twin” libraries and as it turned out they are also the last libraries to be funded by the Carnegie Library Foundation. Also as Norwood’s facility opened after Glencoe’s we are technically the very last Carnegie Library to open and the only one of the two that still operates as a library. Glencoe no longer uses their building as a library.
The astute observer will have noticed that the date carved into the stone above the door of the Norwood building reads 1922 instead of 1924, this was done to acknowledge the year that the building received Carnegie approval. Part of the agreement with Carnegie was the fact that the building must be maintained, Norwood has done reasonably well in that department over the years. In the 1970s the building received a facelift largely funded by the Norwood Lion’s Club with new carpet, furniture and other upgrades.
In 1994, the building underwent a major renovation again headed up by and largely funded by the Norwood Lions Club. This project saw the facility more than double in size with a large addition to the rear of the building. Accessibility was also improved with the addition of an elevator all while maintaining the original look and feel of the building.
Further renovations in the last few years, both inside and out, have not been as sympathetic to the design and character. While it may have been necessary to modernize the facilities to help keep it relative in the 21st century, it unfortunately destroyed a considerable amount of the original charm and style of the building in the process.
A beautiful maple tree once graced the library’s front lawn. It was planted by the former IODE for the Canada centenary in 1967. Citing issues with roots encroaching on the foundation, it was chopped down a few years ago. The tree had originally provided the only shade on the street, along with a unique bench that circled the tree — an IODE project in celebration of their 90th year.
The “outside classroom and internet hub” that now occupies the area replaced the former green space with concrete and stones and what I can only describe as a metal bus shelter to provide shade. While it is unfortunate that the tree had to be removed, it was also unfortunate that there was very little if any public input into what replaced it.
I can’t help thinking that a great opportunity was missed. An opportunity to have created something unique that would have honoured the history and celebrated the heritage of this century old building while still providing the modern amenities that we all demand and expect. Of course this opinion comes from the historian in me, it does not however change the fact that the Norwood Library has and continues to provide access to knowledge and education for any who seek it.
Tales and tunes of Edith Fowke
The Norwood United Church, at the traffic lights in Norwood, will continue their new concert series introduced late last year, this coming Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. with a special performance by the Trent River Balladeers and special guest, Dr. Allan Kirby.
The program will feature music and stories collected by folklorist and broadcaster, the late Edith Fowke. Listen to songs about rascals, reprobates and incurable romantics and the stories behind the music. These 19th century ballads chronicled the lives of ordinary working people, as well as the more notorious headlines of the day. Following the concert portion of the program, Dr. Kirby, who was a personal friend of Edith Fowke, will answer questions, and share anecdotes about his friend and her work.
Sweet fundraiser
St. Georges Anglican Church, 38 Bridge St., next door in Hastings is bringing their butter tart fundraiser back again this year. The tarts, made by the Kawartha Butter Tart Factory come in four flavours: plain, raisin, pecan and one with chocolate and Skor bits. Simply preorder your tarts (in multiples of six for $6.25) by calling 705-2952451 and then pick them up at the church between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on March 15.