Branch Libraries - Rodney
https://heritagecollections.elgin.ca/link/archives8567
- Museum / Archive
- Elgin County Archives
- Part Of
- Elgin County Library fonds
- Description Level
- Series
- GMD
- textual records
- Date Range
- 1893-1973
- 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
- 1893-1973
- Physical Description
- 9 cm of textual records
- History / Biographical
- The origins of the Rodney Public Library may be traced to the Rodney Literary and Dramatic Society. The Society, which was established and functioned prior to 1893, maintained a collection of books for use by its members. The Society held its meetings in an upstairs room in what was then known as the Union Societies Hall on Jane Street, south of Victoria Street (later occupied by the Johnson cheese factory). By January 1893 the Society was defunct, leaving a legacy of 19 books and $16.59 in residual membership fees.
- On January 19, 1893 a group of thirteen Rodney citizens met in the tailor shop of George Katzenmeyer and established the Rodney Mechanics' Institute. At a subsequent meeting, held February 15, 1893, the President of the defunct Rodney Literary and Dramatic Society, Mr. J.C. Campbell, formally donated the Society's books and remaining funds to the Rodney Mechanics' Institute. At the same meeting Mrs. C.A. Wray offered room in her store to shelve the Institute's books, and Mr. J.B. Stinson provided a room in the rear of his barber shop to be the Institute's reading room. By 1895, the reading room had been relocated to a rented room in Mr. David Patterson's hotel.
- The Institute was re-organized as the Rodney Public Library ca 1901 ( the first instance of the phrase "Rodney Public Library" recorded in the Library Board minutes occurs in the minutes of January 21, 1901). In May 1901 the library and reading room were combined in Mrs. Wray's store. Mrs. Wray was appointed librarian and given $1.50 monthly for rent and services provided.
- In June 1913 governance and funding of the library were assumed by the Rodney Women's Institute. The library was relocated to the Rodney Town Hall office of Township Clerk Edwin A. Hugill, and Mr. Hugill was appointed librarian with an annual salary of $18. Miss Caroline Hugill served as librarian 1916-1918. In 1919 Mrs. Margaret Bisnett was appointed librarian and held this position, with the exception of a period of ill health in 1922-1923, until her retirement in 1927.
- In 1925 Mrs. Della Ludy was appointed assistant librarian, becoming librarian in 1927 when Mrs. Bisnett was compelled by ill-health to retire. Mrs. Ludy served as Rodney's librarian for the next fifty years, until her retirement in November 1976. Mrs. Ludy was instrumental in the establishment of the Elgin County Library Association in May 1936 and served on the Board of the Association and its successor the Elgin County Library Co-Operative for thirty years, until the Elgin County Library Board was established in January 1966.
- By 1931 the library space in the back half of the town clerk's office had been partitioned and a separate side entrance to the library had been constructed.
- The Rodney Public Library joined the newly formed Elgin County Library Association in 1936, and continued as a member of that organization when it was re-formed as the Elgin County Library Co-Operative in May 1947.
- In 1951 the Library moved into newly constructed premises on Main Street dedicated as the McMillan Brothers Memorial Library. The new building was constructed with funds derived from a legacy of $7,000 left to the Library by Archie and Duncan McMillan, on land donated by the Rodney Oddfellows. Detroit-based architect Mr. Harold Easton drew up the plans for the new library free of charge. An official opening ceremony was held November 1, 1951.
- The Rodney Public Library Board administered the Library until it was disbanded in December 1965 as a result of legislation amalgamating all Elgin County municipal public library boards under the authority of Elgin County Council. Rodney Public Library became the Rodney branch of the Elgin County Library effective January 1, 1966.
- In 1975 the library was closed briefly for renovations. The library re-opened at an open house held September 25, 1975.
- On November 10, 1976 retiring branch supervisor Mrs. Della Ludy was honoured at a ceremony marking her fifty years of service to the community. Helen Stinson succeeded Mrs. Ludy as branch supervisor and served until her retirement in June 1983. Marjorie DeGraw was appointed branch supervisor in July 1983 and served until retiring in April 1991.
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of minutes, registers, cash books, and miscellaneous records documenting the operation of the Rodney Mechanics' Institute, the Rodney Public Library (including its participation in the Elgin County Library Association and Elgin County Library Co-Operative), and the Rodney branch of the Elgin County Library.
- Name Access
- Elgin County Library
- Elgin County Library Co-Operative
- Elgin County Library Association
- Rodney Public Library
- Rodney Women's Institute
- Rodney (Ont.)
- Subject Access
- Libraries
- Accruals
- Expected
{{ server.message }}
{{ server.message }}
{{ book.title }}
{{ book.callNumber }}