Program of unveiling of historical plaque commemorating the Niagara Library

PROGRAMME:
The Unveiling of an HISTORICAL PLAQUE
Commemorating the NIAGARA LIBRARY
Saturday, November 19, 1977 12:30 PM
Court House, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Sponsored by the Ontario Library Association"

"NIAGARA LIBRARY
On June 8th, 1800, the Niagara Library, the first circulating library in Upper Canada, was established "to diffuse knowledge" among area subscribers. Financed by this group, library services were begun in 1801 with some 80 works for circulation, many on religion and history. Under the management of Andrew Heron, a merchant, the collection was steadily enlarged, and in 1805 the books of the Niagara Agricultural Society were added. The library operated successfully until the occupation of Newark (Niagara) by American forces in 1813, when numerous volumes were lost. By 1818 financial support for the library had seriously declined, and in 1820 the holdings were incorporated in a new subscription library, begun two years earlier by Heron, then a publisher and book-seller.
Erected by the Ontario Heritage Foundation Ministry of Culture and Recreation"

CHAIRMAN:
ANDREW GREGOROVICH
President, Ontario Library Association

GREETINGS:
WILBERT DICK
Lord Mayor, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake
ROBERT WELCH
Minister of Culture and Recreation, and M.P.P. for Brock Riding
WILLIAM ANDRES, M.P.
Member for Lincoln, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Multiculturalism
Prof. WILLIAM ORMSBY
Ontario Heritage Foundation Representative

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
MRS. GERDA MOLSON
Chief Librarian, Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library

UNVEILING:
ROBERT WELCH, Q.C., M.P.P.
Light refreshments will follow the formal programme