HomeMy WebLinkAbout585Brochure, 4 pages, 14 x 21.5 cm., designed to promote the Claremont Public Library at
the time of the Claremont Sesquicentennial anniversary, 1988. The front cover has a
sketch of the library building. Inside is a brief history of the Claremont Library and the
back page has a list of some former board members and librarians at the Claremont
Library.
"THE HISTORY OF THE CLAREMONT LIBRARY
The Claremont Library was established under the name of ""The Mechanics Institute""
in 1891. There were originally forty subscribers. A grant of $20 was given by the Township
council. Mr. Jobbit was hired as the first librarian at a yearly salary of $5. The books were
housed on his property and the library was open every Friday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Four years later the name was changed to the Claremont Association Library.
In 1903 Mr. Judson Bundy was appointed Librarian when Mr. Jobbit retired.
He housed the books and received $30 per year for salary, rent, fuel, light and caretaking.
In 1925 land was donated for a new library. The new building was shared with the fire
department, and is the same building which houses the library today.
1959 was a year of changes. The library was officially declared a Public Library.
This resulted in a local tax levy for library purposes. The Dewey Decimal system was
introduced, and a reference area was created.
The Library Board, under the chairmanship of Dr. Tomlinson received permission from the
village trustees in 1962 to use the other half of the library building when the fire department
moved to other quarters. Remodeling began. The centre partition was removed and a
new floor, front window and door were installed. Dr. Tomlinson donated the electric heating
and lighting in memory of his wife who had been interested in the library.
In the Centennial year (1967), the Pickering Township Library was incorporated.
Claremont was included as one of the five original branches.
For almost one hundred years, Claremont Library, the oldest branch in the system,
has been a great asset to the residents of the village of Claremont and surrounding district.
"
"SOME FORMER BOARD MEMBERS
Mr. M.J. Wilker
Mrs. G.M. Forsyth
Mrs. William Drew
Mrs. Viola Forsyth
Mr. Donald Hedges
Mrs. Grant Taylor
Mrs. Richard Cooper
Mrs. George McConnell
Mrs. C. Keevil Dr. Tomlinson
SOME FORMER LIBRARIANS
Mr. Jobbitt
Mr. Judson Bundy
Miss Walker
Mrs. T. Gregg
Mrs. Harry Porter
PICKERING PUBLIC LIBRARY
MAY 1988
"