Distinguished guests, Ladies & Gentlemen, may I welcome you to this the official opening ceremony for the new quarters of the Cobourg Public Library.
I do not wish to weary you with a multitude of facts and figures concerning the library but I would like to point out to you that such a service for the citizens of the community has been in operation for about 130 years as a Mechanics Institute was in existence here before 1836.This later gave way to a Library run by the Education authorities and later still by an Association Library Board sponsored by the IODE in the building on King St. West. The lODE acquired full title to the building and vested its holdings under three trustees. Some six years ago after lengthy negotiations with the Town Council the Association Library was converted to a Public Library operated by an appointed Board under the Public Libraries Act. Judge HR Deyman,then Crown Attorney, was the first Chairman.
As everyone knows the old facilities were inadequate both as to size and comfort. Hence after many investigations of alternates after many meetings and much discussion the decision was reached by Council to authorize the Board to purchase and renovate this building for use as a library. Funds available permitted the renovation of only the ground floor as you will see upon entry.
I would like to pay tribute to those early pioneers whose foresight led them to set up a library service for this community; I would like to pay tribute to the Board and Staff of the Association Library for keeping alive under the most trying conditions the availability of books for local citizens; I wish also to give great credit to our present staff for their loyalty, for their devotion to duty and for their tireless energy in preparing for this ‘D’ day. On behalf of the Board I would also offer our appreciation to the many citizen volunteers who gave of their time in moving over 14,000 volumes from the former premises.[name them] Without all these helpers there would be no official ceremony this evening. [My own personal thanks to the Board for their help in the project.]
Finally May I bring to your attention that all the equipping and a considerable amount of the renovating are due to the generosity and community spirit of several service clubs of our town - namely three ladies clubs ,the B & PWs Club, The Ladies Auxiliary of the RCL and the Lionettes Club - and four men's organizations - Branch 133 RCL, the Kiwanis Club of Cobourg, the Lions Club of Cobourg and the Rotary Club of Cobourg. In addition to these a bequest from the estate of the late Col. Wilfred C. Dumble has provided a much needed heating system. To all of these we are deeply grateful.
Now we have with us our Parliamentary representatives and I would like at this time to call on Dr. Pauline Jewett, MP for this Riding to speak to us.
Ditto Russell Rowe, MLA for the Riding.
I would now like to call upon His Worship Mayor J.A. Heenan to perform the official opening ceremony after which I shall give a few directions before we proceed with an inspection of the bldg.
L & G the official party will enter first and our Chief Librarian Mr. Barnett, will present to them the Staff. Then I would ask members of the Board to act as guides for groups to pass through; [return to the door for more.]
A word about the rooms – as you pass through the vestibule the room on the left is the Junior Library [with its entire] equipment and renovation by the Rotary Club; on the right is the adult or Senior [Fiction] Library fully equipped by the Lions Club. The control area in the centre houses [the mysteries,] the music library and many books of foreign language nature; off this is the kitchen work-room for the processing of newly acquired books [ flooring donated by our contractor Mr. Morling[?]]; the north room is the [biography] reference, pamphlet and student study area equipped through donations from the remaining organizations. Contained in this area also is the office of the Chief Librarian.
Each of these areas has its own charging desk, catalogue files and furniture giving opportunity for leisurely perusal of the collection.
There has been no renovation upstairs but if you wish to see it you are at liberty to do so.
One final word ‘Smokes Out’ as we can have no smoking on the premises. Thank you. [Business as usual to-morrow – no books returned tonight]
The CHAIRMAN
1. NO SMOKING now or at any other time.
2. Temporary acknowledgment of Donors
3. Sign, with horarium, will come when we have the money to install one
4. Co-operation of public sought to maintain the paintwork unmarked – no touching or rubbing
5. Use of doormat
6. No books received to-night – work to-morrow at the usual hours
2.30 – 5.00 p.m.
7.00 – 9.00 p.m.
7. Preach the following gospel: Every book in the Library is in its correct place; there should be no cause for confusion if every borrower always undertook to replace books exactly where they were "a misplaced book is a lost book", and somebody else has to suffer for your thoughtlessness.
Please be on time at front door to greet guests and prevent them entering front or side doors.
No Board Member should draw attention to the W.C.’s – we want no traffic to then if possible.
Board Members should give as many "guided tours" as possible, constantly moving about, and always returning to the front door to meet more people.
