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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1963-11-14, Page 5• • 1 • • • • • 0 • r • i Bogan With MS Dior Seafor 0 • • • • • • • • 0, r • N • • MEMBERS OF THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY BOAD have spared no effort to make the fiftieth anniversary event a success in every way. Shown here at a special meeting last week, when details for the Monday Open House were completed, are board members; (from left) Mrs. J. McConnell, secretary; Mrs. J. A. Munn, Mrs. G. A. Wright,'librarian, Miss M. E. Turnbull, ,chairman, Frank A. Godin, Hugh Thompson and Miss Gladys Thompson. Miss Rena Fennell was absent. ACTIVE IN THE DETAILED WORK that is so necessary in order that the library operations runs smoothly, are assist- ants Barbara Holland (left) and Mrs. James Hopper, shown here preparing record cards. MISS GRETA THOMPSON, a Seaforth librarian for more than 50 years prior to her retirement in 1958, served during the period the present library was being erected in 1913. Warns Rabies Danger Continues Across Huron As of mid-October, 51 rabies cases had been reported in the county, Dr. R. M. Aldis, MOH, said in amplifying his prepared report to county council. This compares with 36 last year and 24 the year before. Inasmuch as cattle have been on pasture, dry as it may be, farmers who look after cattle in the barns should watch them for rabies, he warned. Answering an enquiry from Reeve Elgin 'Thompson of Tuck- ersmith, Dr. Aldis said there had been a rabid fox in Hay, dogs in Usborne, and a skunk at Huronview. Reeve Clifford Dunbar of Grey was informed that there had been three cases in that township to mid-October. The MOH saki the board of health was a little disappoint- ed in the response to the clinics offered, and suggested that there may be some people who still do not know about them. "People think 'this won't hap- pen to me, and why should I bother'," he said, "and not un- til it hits a school or something like that do we become im- Recalls Work As Carnegie Library Being Erected ed c The actual decision to build a new library was made in the spring of 1912, according to the memory of one of the men who worked on the building. This was the word of Fred McGavin, who was a bricklayer at the time. Ile now lives at the home of Mrs. James T. Scott on Louisa Street, Another building which was begun at approximately the same time as the library was the post office. Both buildings were opened within a month of each other. The library—made of brick on a cement foundation, and with a slate roof—was built by the contracting firm of Harry Edge. The outer structure was completed during the summer of 1912, and during the fall and winter the interior was com- pleted. At the time, it was' con- sidered one of the most modern styles of architecture, being what was then in vogue, "Vic- torian Palladian." Since that time, few changes have been made. However, in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the building, a totally new front desk is being constructed by G. A. Wright, husband of the present librarian. Father: "What did you learn in Sunday school this morning, son?" Son: "I learned that King Solomon loved wild animals. The teacher said he had a lot of wives and a lot of porcu- pines'." pressed with the importance of this rabies thing." Amplifying that part of his report on care of chronic pa- tients, Dr. Aldis said: "There are a lot of people who should be getting better care in such an institution as a nursing home rather than the county home. Doctors keep some pa- tients in hospitals- because there is no other place for them to go. There is a big mix- up among departments. We have so much in hospitals and so little outside. Some people have to wait months to be ad- mitted for operations." Measuring the audience The performer who is more interested in the size of the audience than in the number of curtain calls spends most of his time looking for work. The successful performer recognizes that only effective efforts build responsive audiences. He seeks applause. The same might be said for newspaper editors. We must serve and satisfy the editorial needs and interests of people in our area. The validity of this circulation audience and the applause readers give us is registered by the Audit Bureau of Circulations. ABC -audited paid circulation facts measure readers response in such terms as how much they pay to receive copies, how many copies they buy, where they live, and how their copies are delivered. As a member of this independent circulation auditing organization, we recog- nize the power of reader. confidence — that they have chosen to be a member of this paying audience of their own volition, and that they will continue to do so only as long as we effectively serve them. For advertisers, the significant differences between counting the audience and measuring the applause is reader response. Ask to see a copy of our ABC report. 0% t An 1879 golly pf the I WQ County Atlas tells of the estabr lfshment of a "Mechanic's In- stitute and Subscription Library in Harpurhey» nine years pre, viously. Vont this beginning, nearly one hundred years ago, until now, when Seaforth is about to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the building of the Carnegie Library, residents can point to a constantly broad- ening library service. Today, the library serves 950 subscribers with 10,000 books. Circulation during 1962, says litfrarian Mrs.' G. A. Wright, was 27,635. Increased circuation, howev- er, is not due entirely to in- creased population. In part, it is due to Less stringent rules than were current in years gone by. For instance, in 1922, a copy of the rules then extant show that "any person of good deportment and habits may have the use of the papers and periodicals of the reading room and of the reference books for consultation in the building. No person who is in an intoxicated, disorderly or unclean condition or is a resident of a house which is placarded by the Health Officer, will be admit- ted to the rooms or allowed to remain in them. No audible conversation will be permitted, and no person will be allowed to lounge or sleep in the rooms, smoke, partake of refreshments, spit, or use the rooms for any purpose for which they are not intended. Dogs will not be al- lowed in the building." In those days, also, one had to have a "suitable guarantor, of at least twelve months' resi- dence in the Town of Seaforth." In addition, if one's home was placarded by the Health Officer, the books you'd borrowed had to be returned—and fumigated "to the satisfaction of the Librarian." The library is unusual in that during the entire fifty years of the building's existence, there have been only two librarians— Miss Greta Thompson, who be- gan her career as librarian at the age of 17, before it moved to the "new" building in 1913, and Mrs. Wright, who took over in 1958. "Originally," says Mrs. Wright, "I came as a temporary replacement, due to the illness of Miss Thompson. However, her illness was prolonged, and it became necessary for her to resign. The job was offered on a permanent basis—and here I am!" One of the library's most valuable services is in teach- ing the area's younger set the value . of literature. Each of the elementary schools in Seaforth sends six pupils to the library at regular intervals, and each get six books. They keep thes about two months, reading them in school as part of the school program. The teachers give the pupils complete freedom to choose what they want to read, and Mrs. Wright says it's re- markable what depth of litera- ture and breadth of field they choose books from, even though occasionally, they choose books that are a little above them. It's easy, added Mrs. Wright, to tell what the teachers assign for essay topics. On certain evenings, the steps to the lib- rary will be packed with stu- dents all seeking information on the same subject. Some stu- dents have even told Mrs. Wright on occasion that they have been waiting for half an hour or more for the library to open. There is, as yet, no record library service, but there is the beginning of a film ex- change service. This extends now to any group which wants to show films on any of the subject filmed by the National Film Board—although there is no projector or screen to go with the films—groups have to supply their own. Money for the library—which is run by the Town of Seaforth through its Library Board— comes from two annual grants given by the Ontario Depart- ment of Education, as well as tax support from the towns- people. Board members include Miss Mabel Turnbull, chairman; Mrs. Joe McConnell, secretary.treas- urer; Hugh Thompson, property committee chairman ; Frank Godin, also a member of the property committee; Miss Gladys Thompson; Mrs. J. A. Munn, chairman of the book commit- tee, and Miss Rena Fennell. At the time of the opening, The Expositor of the time had this to say: "The new Carnegie Public Library in Seaforth was for- mally opened to the public on Saturday evening last. There were a large number of ladies and gentlemen present. The proceedings were of the most simple and informal character, • "Mr. William Hartry, chair - ,man of the Public Library Board, outlined the proceedings which led up to and culminat- ed in the completion of the spacious, comfortable and hand• some building which the Board were opening for the use of the public, and Mr. F. G. Neelin, the treasurer, read the financial report. The nlayor and the members of the town council were also present and passed a resolution thanking the Board for the very efficient and satis- factory manner in which they had carried but the work. e "After ' this, diose .Present were invited to view the Prem- ises and were - .ecnduvted through the building by mem- bers of the Library Board. Ac- cordingly the statement read, the total expenditure fox the building and the grounds, com- plete as they now stand, amount- ed to $10,466.67, Of this, amount, Mr. Carnegie furnish- ed $10,000. The cost of •prepar- ing.the plans and the superin- tending the work amounting to about $500, was donated by Mr. John Finlayson, the architect, to the Board, which was certain- ly a very generous contribution on the part of Mr. Finlayson. "A caretaker will have to be appointed by the town council and that body will also have to supply the fuel for heating. In a former statement we said the building is to be heated by hot water. This was a mistake. l<t is to be heated by steam, pro- vided by a Dominion Radiator steam boiler, with new automa- tic check, which when the steam reaches a certain height automatically shuts off the heat so that all danger of explosion is obviated. The heating appar- atus was provided and installed by Mr. George A. Sills and is in keeping with the excellent work done in other parts of the building. "It is a beautiful building, both intejtually and .exte s allY,, and Contains eVerg comfort ,and convenience• for the work tor wlueb it is designed aft4fs a credit to, the town and all on netted with the work, it max fat IRK to "thy .1n* eriat. wealth At the• 't9:wn, .lit $110t0 ' .4*, : " What is wat laugh .outer taaee, - t ho>al } 1 a ►tre tot the moral, and intellectuuat upbuiWin a€' the people' 4.t£'!•,.o.. 4::'?L'Z:i!.a J:f{:7'+' i.U�.•i.:'lG"Y.{.'•>c'S3;f}hic�:o..6i:,:^,•X:fii•?:�+.i�;Er', FOR 50 YEARS a familiar sight on Main Street, Seaforth, Carnegie Library serves an ever-increasing number of area residents anxious to enjoy the facilities the library provides. Circulation last year was 27,635, is expected to go higher this year, according to the librarian, Mrs. G. A. Wright. DISTRICT STUDENTS find the quiet of the Library an excellent place in which to study. In addition, of course, is the fact that at their fingertips are thousands of books to help them with their work. The library makes careful plans and works in close co-operation with area schools, so that students may reap maximum benefit from library facilities. SEAFORTH PUBLIC LIBRARY Open House Monday, November 18th 3-5pm. — IN OBSERVANCE of THE 50th ANNIVERSARY of the Opening of the Library During Open House, a display of Posters by pupils of the Seaforth Public and Separate Schools, as well as an exhibition of paintings by local artists, will be featured fif The public is cordially invited to attent "