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Branch Libraries - West Lorne
- Museum / Archive
- Elgin County Archives
- Part Of
- Elgin County Library fonds
- Description Level
- Series
- GMD
- textual records
- Date Range
- 1950-1997
- Storage Location
- R7 S3 Sh3 B1
- Museum / Archive
- Elgin County Archives
- Part Of
- Elgin County Library fonds
- Description Level
- Series
- Storage Room
- Archives Storage Rm. 107
- Storage Location
- R7 S3 Sh3 B1
- GMD
- textual records
- Date Range
- 1950-1997
- Series
- Elgin County Library fonds - Branch Libraries - West Lorne series
- Physical Description
- 3 cm of textual records
- History / Biographical
- The West Lorne Public Library was established at a meeting of local citizens held June 12, 1895, and a seven-member Board was elected, headed by the inaugural president, Mr. A. Bridgman. The Board determined that library members would be charged a $1.00 annual fee, and rented a room above a store to serve as the reading room.
- On January 1, 1896 Mr. John Chasely was appointed librarian and served in that capacity until retiring in September 1924.
- In 1912 the West Lorne Village Council erected a small building on the Graham Road, which housed the library until 1950.
- The West Lorne 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 1947 the Village of West Lorne received a bequest of $7,000 from the estate of Archie and Duncan McMillan for construction of a new library building to be known as the McMillan Brothers Library. On March 8, 1950 the new building was officially opened in West Lorne and dedicated to the memory of its founding benefactors.
- In 1965 the West Lorne Public Library Board honoured Verna Norris, librarian ca 1930-1965, and Mima Currie, Board Secretary-Treasurer ca 1940-1965 for their extensive service to the community.
- The West Lorne Public Library Board governed the affairs of 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. West Lorne Public Library became the West Lorne branch of the Elgin County Library effective January 1, 1966.
- In November 1989 West Lorne Council approved the construction of a new library, to be built at the corner of Graham and Maple Streets.
- Public internet access service was introduced at the library in 1996.
- On February 8, 2006 the West Lorne Library was destroyed by fire. The branch was rebuilt and re-opened in September, 2007.
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of correspondence, reports, newspaper clippings and miscellaneous records documenting the operation of the West Lorne Public Library (including its participation in the Elgin County Library Association and the Elgin County Library Co-Operative) and the West Lorne branch of the Elgin County Library.
- Name Access
- Elgin County Library
- Elgin County Library Co-Operative
- Elgin County Library Association
- West Lorne Public Library
- West Lorne (Ont.)
- Subject Access
- Libraries
- Accruals
- Expected
Less detail