History of the Halton Hills Public Library
Georgetown Public Library
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The Georgetown Mechanic’s Institute opened in the spring of 1880. It's goal was to encourage working-class people to continue their education. Through membership dues and occasional grants from the village council, the Mechanic’s Institute was able to offer lectures and evening classes, as well as a reading room. The village council provided a building, rent free.
When the Free Libraries Act passed in 1895, the Mechanic’s Institute converted into a Free Library. The library board hired Alberta Glass in 1899 to be the first librarian.
The book collection soon grew too big for its current location. The library board applied to the Carnegie Estate which funded library buildings across North America. Unfortunately, they were turned down in 1903 and again in 1910.
But, in 1912, the Congregational Church moved to Knox Presbyterian Church, leaving the building empty. John R. Barber, founding president of the Mechanic’s Institute, and trustees of the Congregational Church deeded the building to the town for use as a library. Renovations of the building were completed, and the new library opened on October 10, 1913.
In 1915, the library hired a librarian from Toronto to catalogue the books. Before this, a specific cataloguing system didn’t appear to have been in place.
Residents from Esquesing Township could also use the Georgetown library. In 1915, the library appealed to Esquesing Township for funds, and they agreed to pay $25.00 for the current and next two years. When they did not continue this gift in 1918, the library board decided that they must charge $1.00 per year for all subscribers living outside of the town limits.
In 1916, the library checked out 10,476 books to its users. 50 years later, in 1966, the library reported a total of 6,496 users with 92,594 books checked out. A total of 15,606 books were in the collection. 1,104 of these users were from Esquesing Township, who were still considered non-residents at the time.
When the Free Libraries Act passed in 1895, the Mechanic’s Institute converted into a Free Library. The library board hired Alberta Glass in 1899 to be the first librarian.
The book collection soon grew too big for its current location. The library board applied to the Carnegie Estate which funded library buildings across North America. Unfortunately, they were turned down in 1903 and again in 1910.
But, in 1912, the Congregational Church moved to Knox Presbyterian Church, leaving the building empty. John R. Barber, founding president of the Mechanic’s Institute, and trustees of the Congregational Church deeded the building to the town for use as a library. Renovations of the building were completed, and the new library opened on October 10, 1913.
In 1915, the library hired a librarian from Toronto to catalogue the books. Before this, a specific cataloguing system didn’t appear to have been in place.
Residents from Esquesing Township could also use the Georgetown library. In 1915, the library appealed to Esquesing Township for funds, and they agreed to pay $25.00 for the current and next two years. When they did not continue this gift in 1918, the library board decided that they must charge $1.00 per year for all subscribers living outside of the town limits.
In 1916, the library checked out 10,476 books to its users. 50 years later, in 1966, the library reported a total of 6,496 users with 92,594 books checked out. A total of 15,606 books were in the collection. 1,104 of these users were from Esquesing Township, who were still considered non-residents at the time.
