West Lincoln Public Library

West Lincoln Public Library
Established 1901
Location Smithvile Branch: 318 Canborough St. Smithville. ON L0R 2A0,
Wellandport Branch: 5042 Canborough Rd. Wellandport, ON L0R 2A0,
Caistorville Branch: 9549 York St.Caistorville. ON N0A 1C0
Branches 3
Collection
Items collected business directories, phone books, maps, government publications, books, periodicals, genealogy, local history,
Size 52,000
Access and use
Circulation 98,000
Population served 13,167
Members 6900
Other information
Director Catharine Vaughan, CEO
Staff 13
Website http://www.westlincolnlibrary.ca

West Lincoln Public Library is a library in Smithville, Ontario, Canada. It has three branches and serves Caistorville, Smithville and Wellandport.

Services

History

The first library service in what is now called West Lincoln began as an Associate Library in Smithville around the year 1901. It had its beginning operating out of the back of a shoe store. The first order of books amounted to $199.55. Fiction books amounted to less than 20 percent of that first purchase. The library has moved many times since 1901. In 1970 with the inception of Regional Government, a Public Library Board was formed for the Township of West Lincoln. Smithville Public Library is the largest and the most centrally located of three libraries in West Lincoln Township. Today Smithville Public Library is located in Smithville's town hall complex.

The idea for the Wellandport Public Library was officially initiated with the Wellandport Women's Institute in September 1972, though according to some records it was discussed months earlier. A letter from the Women's Institute was sent to the West Lincoln Council asking if it were possible for a library to be established in the village of Wellandport. The next step was a meeting involving the West Lincoln Public Library Board, community organizations and citizens of the town. Financial support came from local organizations such as the Women's Institute, Forresters, Pony Club and a Young People's Walkathon. In the spring of 1973, a branch library of the West Lincoln Public Library was opened in the village of Wellandport. Since 1973 the Wellandport Branch has grown in its circulation and membership. It has changed locations with each step in its growth. Today, the Wellandport Public Library is part of the community centre in Wellandport.

The Caistorville Women's Institute initiated a public library to serve local citizens in September 1964. It was situated on York Street with volunteer workers from the membership of the Women's Institute. After a successful three years in operation at that site, the library moved into a building on John Street. As a centennial project Caistorville volunteers built the library on land donated by Wilfred Sharp and materials were donated by Slacks Lumber. An official opening was held in June 1967 and Women's Institute members continued to volunteer their services until 1969 when the present librarian Barbara Stolys was hired. In 1974, washroom facilities and a children's room were added.

Construction of the new Caistorville Public Library at 9549 York Street was completed in August 2006 and the grand opening was held in October. Furnishings were made possible by a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

See also

References

    West Lincoln: Our Links with the Past 1784-1984 Published by the West Lincoln Historical Society

    Coordinates: 42°18′40″N 83°02′04″W / 42.311124°N 83.034581°W / 42.311124; -83.034581

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