Clinton Branch, Huron County Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clinton Branch, Huron County Library |
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| Postcard showing the library in 1910 | |
| Country | Canada |
| Type | Public |
| Location | 27 Albert Street, Clinton, ON, N0M 1L0 |
| Branch of | Huron County Library |
| Official name: Clinton Town Hall and Library and the Library Park | |
| Designated: | December 11, 1978 |
The Clinton Public Library is a local branch of the Huron County Library. It is located in Clinton, Ontario. This library has a long and interesting history. Its building dates back to the early 1900s. It is a special place for learning and exploring through books.
Contents
Discovering the Library's History
The first part of the library building was finished in 1900. It was designed by a local architect named Joseph Ades Fowler. The building was first known as Stavely Hall. It was built with money from James Stavely, an early settler in the area.
This original building is made of red brick. It has two floors and a unique three-story round tower. The windows are different shapes and sizes. The roof has bold brick details. When it opened, people thought it was the best library and reading room around.
How the Library Grew with a Grant
A second part was added to the library later. This addition was built with a special grant. The money came from the Carnegie Foundation. They gave $4,900 for the expansion on January 6, 1915. J. Ades Fowler was also the architect for this new section.
The Clinton library was the only one in Ontario to get a Carnegie Foundation grant for an addition. This new part is on the south side of the building. It has a circular reading room, similar to the older tower. The building is considered a great example of early 1900s design. It has been protected under the Ontario Heritage Act since 1978. This means it is a special heritage building.
Exploring the New Annex and Its Features
When the new annex opened, it brought many improvements. A newspaper from that time described the changes. The new "Carnegie Annex" added a large room for books. This room had 1,200 square feet of space. It could hold almost 8,000 books!
The library also became more modern. They started using the Dewey Decimal System to organize books. This system helps people find books easily. They also used the Newark System for checking books in and out. These were considered the best methods at the time.
A Special Place for Young Readers
The Clinton Library paid special attention to young readers. They created a dedicated Children's Department. This was not common in smaller libraries back then. A large, bright room was set aside just for kids. It held 1,200 books especially chosen for children.
The older part of the library also got a makeover. It was repainted and refurnished. New lighting was installed, making it brighter. They even added a drinking fountain and a washroom.
How the Library Became a Community Hub
The library was already very popular. It loaned out about 18,000 books each year. In 1915, this number went up to 19,000! This was about twice as many books as most other libraries of its size in Ontario. With the new space, they expected even more people to visit.
Many visitors and library experts said the Clinton library was one of the most modern in the province. They felt it was the best for a town of its size. Much credit for its success went to Mr. W. Brydone, the President. He spent a lot of time helping create and complete the library. The librarian, Miss M. Rudd, also did a great job organizing the thousands of books.
