Beaverton Branch:
Located at 401 Simcoe Street in Beaverton, the Beaverton Public Library facility has recently undergone renovations. While the original library remains as it was built in 1912, a modern new addition has recently been constructed to provide additional space and wheelchair access.
This "Carnegie" library has been designated as being of architectural and historical interest under the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990:
A library was established within the Village of Beaverton as early as 1853; it was located in the court house on the north side of Simcoe Street where the existing post office and bank are situated. This reading room was later renamed to the Mechanics Institute in 1890. The public requested Council's consideration for a new library in 1897 and the issue was raised in the editorial pages of the Beaverton Express.
The Carnegie Foundation of New York established a grant program for Ontario communities in 1901 which ran until 1917. An application for a grant to build a new library in Beaverton was made by the secretary of the library board, Mr. J.F. Givens. The Beaverton Library board received a grant in the amount $7000.00 on August 28, 1910. A further request for $1000 was denied by the Secretary of the Carnegie Foundation. The terms of grant required that the village council provide a suitable site for the library and that tax funds be used to maintain it on an annual basis.
An architect, Mr. W.E. Binning, was retained by the library board based on his earlier designs for a library in Mitchell, Ontario - complete with a tower! Construction of the library commenced in 1911; the general contractor was Mr. James Snelgrove and the masonry work was completed by a Mr. Halward of Cannington. The library was officially opened to the public at 3:00 p.m. on December 5, 1913.
This library is one of the very few Carnegie libraries (111 in Ontario) which continues to be used for this purpose.
Cannington Branch:
The new Timothy Findley Memorial Branch is now open at 38 Laidlaw Street South. Please see our main page for pictures.
Sunderland Branch:
The Sunderland Public Library was originally called The Brock Township Public Library. It was located in what was then a small room on the second floor (northwest corner) of the McDermott block (this building was gutted by a disastrous fire in 1949)
It was Frank Doble, at the turn of the century, who thought Sunderland needed a Library. With the help of his daughters, Margaret and Florence (acting as the Librarians) he collected a number of books and placed them on the shelves that bordered the room. As the demand for more reading material grew, it became obvious that they needed more room, so they moved down the hall to a larger room. This was the location of the library until 1923, when it was moved to a room on the east side of the Township hall. It was located on the main floor of the buildings so the patrons were no longer required to climb steep flights of stairs as they had in the previous building.
The Library was open twice a week- on Tuesday and Saturday (afternoon and evening). Saturday night was the busiest time due to the people from the country driving into town to do their weekly shopping, etc. In order to assist in covering the expenses for new books, etc. The patrons were charged user fees- five cents per book or fifty cents for a one year subscription and of course there were still fines for overdue books.
Two of the first head librarians were Mona St. John and Bessie Oliver. In the late 50's Pearl Miller volunteered her time. The next librarian was Jean Christie who was helped out by Enid Martin and other board members.
The library was officially opened on June 11, 1972 at the 14 Church Street location. The opening marked the beginning of a new era for the library in Sunderland. The Governor-General Roland Michener did the honors and drove a sliver spike in place and unveiled a commemorative plaque located at one corner of the building. Margaret Doble was the Chairperson of the Brock Township Library Board and addressed the public at the public at the opening as well. Margaret held the position of librarian form 1975 to 1991. She was also appointed the Secretary-Treasurer of the Brock Library Board.
The Sunderland Branch of Brock Township Public Libraries is currently at 41 Albert Street located in the Sunderland Public School. This branch is an icon of what can be accomplished with a progressive, community spirit. This is evident still today with the local groups, such as the Lions Club, the Maple Syrup Festival and the Friends of Sunderland Branch working together to keep improving the library.
