Guelph Public Library
{{Short description|Public library system in Guelph, Canada}}
{{more citations needed|date=September 2013}}
{{Infobox library
| library_name = Guelph Public Library
| library_logo = Vision:Guelph Public Library - Explore · Connect · Thrive.
| image = File:Guelph Public Library Old.jpg
| caption = Carnegie library building in Guelph 1905-1964
| location = 100 Norfolk Street
Guelph, Ontario
N1H 4J6
| coordinates = {{Coord|43.5456|-80.2529|display=inline,title}}
| established = 1850
| num_branches = 7
| items_collected = business directories, government publications, non-fiction and fiction books, periodicals, genealogy, local history, DVDs, CDs
| collection_size =
| annual_circulation =
| pop_served =
| members =
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| director = Dan Atkins, CEO
| num_employees =
| website = {{URL|https://www.guelphpl.ca/en/index.aspx|Guelph Public Library}}
}}
Guelph Public Library is a public library system serving the city of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. The main library downtown, five branches, and a bookmobile (seven branches total) serve about 123,000 residents in Guelph. The current CEO is Dan Atkins.{{Cite web |url=https://www.guelphpl.ca/Modules/contact/search.aspx?s=lySgQ7VvTFolXmGR4t1uyQeQuAleQuAl |title=Staff Directory |publisher=Guelph Public Library |access-date=October 11, 2021}}
Branches
- Bullfrog Mall
- Bookmobile
- East Side
- Main
- Scottsdale
- West End
- Westminster
History
In 1883, the Guelph Public Library was the first public library in Ontario established under the Public Library Act of 1882.{{cite web |url=http://www.mtc.gov.on.ca/en/libraries/libraries.shtml |title=Ontario Public Libraries |date=April 28, 2020}} The collection of the Farmers and Mechanics Institute library, which had been a free public lending library since 1850, was contributed to the newly founded Guelph Public Library.{{Cite web |url=https://www.guelphpl.ca/about/history.cfm |title=History |publisher=Guelph Public Library |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630062733/https://www.guelphpl.ca/about/history.cfm |archive-date=June 30, 2016 |url-status=dead }}
The first library building was completed in September 1905 at the corner of Norfolk and Paisley streets downtown, partly through a Carnegie Foundation grant of $24,000.{{cite book |last1=Fear |first1=Jon |last2=Masterman |first2=Chris |title=Flash from the past : 140 photographs from the Waterloo Region Record |date=2018 |publisher=Biblioasis |isbn=978-1771962735 |edition=First}}{{rp|30–31}} The neo-classical (Beaux Art) structure, had been designed in 1902 by W. Frye Colwill.{{Cite web|url=http://guelphpostcards.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-carnegie-library.html|title=Guelph in postcards: The Carnegie Library|first=Cameron|last=Shelley|date=December 20, 2013}} According to a University publication, "The library permitted free access, used the Dewey Decimal system classification, and provided a card catalogue. The motto, "Floreat Scientia" ("Let Knowledge Grow") was carved above the stone entrance. A special Guelph feature was its dome, one of the few built in this fashion in Canada".{{cite web |url=https://www.uoguelph.ca/~lbruce/photos/Guelph.htm |title=Guelph Carnegie Library, c 1905 Exterior finished in artificial stone |website=Libraries Today |access-date=February 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514105310/https://www.uoguelph.ca/~lbruce/photos/Guelph.htm |archive-date=May 14, 2011}} It was demolished in 1964 in spite of public opposition, and replaced with the current structure on Norfolk St.{{Cite web |url=https://www.guelphpl.ca/about/history.cfm |title=History |website=Guelph Public Library |access-date=February 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630062733/https://www.guelphpl.ca/about/history.cfm |archive-date=June 30, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.guelphmercury.com/news-story/2728694-a-stroll-through-downtown-guelph-wishing-for-what-used-to-be/|title=A stroll through downtown Guelph, wishing for what used to be|website=GuelphMercury.com}}
A new public library may be built near the Baker St. parking lot, which is to be redeveloped as the Baker District. Preliminary discussions about a new main branch had taken place by summer 2017 with some decision expected to be made in 2018.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefountainpen.com/s/showstory?id=16817 |title=Council To Review Baker Street Proposals |date=July 20, 2017 |website=The Fountain Pen |access-date=February 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326064128/http://www.thefountainpen.com/s/showstory?id=16817 |archive-date=March 26, 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.guelphmercury.com/news-story/7449107-guelph-councillors-reaffirm-support-for-library-on-baker-street/|title=Guelph councillors reaffirm support for library on Baker Street|website=GuelphMercury.com}} Construction is expected to be completed in 2026.