In November of 1903, Colborne Council gave the library a grant of $25.00. The Enterprise’s account of this cited “A deputation of Mr. C.J. McCallum and A. Scougale appearing on behalf of the Public Library asking for a small grant in aid of the library”, indicating that the library may have had a library board at this early point. Another brief mention in the newspaper also noted that the Public Library was presenting a concert to the community.

The earliest known newspaper reference is from the April 16th 1903 edition of The Enterprise. It reads: “The Librarian of the Public Library has a number of standard novels which are damaged but reading is complete which he will sell at a very low price also a large number of magazines and illustrated papers.” This short passage indicates several things – first, that this early librarian was male; second, he was trying to raise money for the library; and third, that the library offered its patrons books, magazines, and illustrated papers.

There are several mysteries attached to the earliest days of the Public Library in Colborne – the exact year it opened, where it was located, and who was the first librarian. Several pre-1903 newspapers have been recently located and have provided some clues. Similar to many other Ontario public libraries, Colborne's public library likely evolved from the library collections of the Mechanic's Institute, a model of educational institution borne in England in the 1820s. A brief paragraph in the Northumberland Enterprise's 30 April 1891 edition outlined the financial difficulties facing the Mechanic's Institute.

The Enterprise published the following: "The item of the issue of last week seems to have stirred up the community to the necessity of taking some action in order to prevent the collapse of the Institute, and Miss Simmons with her well-known activity and zeal took hold of the matter and in one day secured over $50 which will be supplemented by other sums, bringing the amount to $80 to $100, thereby placing the Institute on a firm basis again. There is an excellent library in connection with the Institute and it would have been a calamity if the funds had not been forthcoming. Miss Simmons deserved the thanks of the public for her good work."

The first known reference to a standalone public library in Colborne is illustrated below.