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Branch Libraries - Port Burwell
- Museum / Archive
- Elgin County Archives
- Part Of
- Elgin County Library fonds
- Description Level
- Series
- GMD
- textual records
- Date Range
- 1939-1959
- Storage Location
- R7 S3 Sh4 B3
- Museum / Archive
- Elgin County Archives
- Part Of
- Elgin County Library fonds
- Description Level
- Series
- Storage Room
- Archives Storage Rm. 107
- Storage Location
- R7 S3 Sh4 B3
- GMD
- textual records
- Date Range
- 1939-1959
- Series
- Elgin County Library fonds - Branch Libraries - Port Burwell series
- Physical Description
- 4 cm of textual records
- History / Biographical
- The Port Burwell Library Association was established in May 1939 and immediately joined the Elgin County Library Association, continuing as a member of that organization when it was re-formed as the Elgin County Library Co-Operative in May 1947.
- The library was originally located in a specially constructed addition to Mr. H.J. Culbert's grocery store, and Mr. Culbert was appointed librarian. Annual fees for adult members were set in 1939 at twenty-five cents, raised to fifty cents in 1940. Forty-three members were enrolled in 1939, including Fred Bodsworth. Mr. Bodsworth was elected as Secretary of the Library Board in January 1940.
- In December 1942 the Library Board approved relocating the library to Chalk's Drug Store on the west side of Robinson Street, with Mr. Gordon Chalk serving as librarian. In February 1944, the librarian's annual salary was raised from $50 to $75.
- In June 1944 Mrs. Roy (Cora) Meyer was appointed librarian, and the library was relocated to a building on property owned by Mr. John Meyer. Mrs. Meyer served as librarian until her death in May 1957.
- In November 1945 the Library Board approved the library's relocation to rented premises in the Aylmer and Malahide Telephone Company building. The librarian's annual salary was increased to $200 in September 1948, with an additional $10 per year allowed in compensation for maintaining evening hours during the months of July and August.
- In 1961 the library moved into the newly constructed Port Burwell Community Centre/ Municipal Building, built on the site of the original Port Burwell Community Hall which was demolished in February 1961.
- The Port Burwell Library Board administered the Library until it was disbanded in 1965 as a result of legislation amalgamating all Elgin County municipal public library boards under the authority of Elgin County Council. Port Burwell Library became the Port Burwell branch of the Elgin County Library effective January 1, 1966.
- In May 1976 the library was closed temporarily while major renovations were completed. The library re-opened on May 22, 1976.
- On June 12, 2005 the library was renamed the Fred Bodsworth Public Library of Port Burwell in honour of Canadian novelist, journalist and naturalist Fred Bodsworth.
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of minutes, members' register, reports and miscellaneous records documenting the operation of the Port Burwell Public Library (including its participation in the Elgin County Library Association and Elgin County Library Co-Operative), and the Port Burwell branch of the Elgin County Library.
- Name Access
- Elgin County Library
- Elgin County Library Co-Operative
- Elgin County Library Association
- Port Burwell Public Library
- Port Burwell (Ont.)
- Subject Access
- Libraries
- Accruals
- Expected
Less detail