Flos-Elmvale Public Library Opening 1965

On Saturday, March 22, 1965, at 2.30 p.m., the Flos-Elmvale Public Library will be officially opened. The short ceremony to be held in the Board of Trade Room of the Community Hall, will be followed by a general inspection of the Library. This is an important occasion for our area; please come. For some people of Elmvale and Flos this day will mark the fruition of hopes and efforts over a long period. One of our residents recalls the burning of the Elmvale Library many, many years ago; it was not replaced. In 1959, efforts were made to set it going, but there are no suitable accommodation available, and much to everyone's chagrin, the matter had to be dropped. Seeing the need for a supply of good reading material, the United Church, served by the Simcoe County Library Cooperative, has operated a small library for several years. Similarly has the Presbyterian Church tried to serve the community in this way. But late in 1964 the Board of Trade, led by its progressive and forward-looking President, Mr. Jack Whitfield, saw an opportunity and began to press forward. In a short space of time, a Public Library Association, consisting of interested people, was formed; the necessary legal steps, as required by the Ontario Public Libraries Act, were carried out; and with a promise of $500 from each of the Councils of the Township of Flos and the Village of Elmvale, the Flos-Elmvale Public Library Board came into being. It consists of the Reeves and two other representatives of each of the two municipalities. At a meeting held in January 1965, the Board organized itself as follows: Chairman - Mr. Edgar C. Hay-Ellis, Secretary-Treasurer, Mrs. Lenore Corbett, Members- Mrs. Muriel Jacobs, Mr. Frank Coughlin, Mr. James Hancock, Mr. Alex McAuley. The post of Librarian was advertised, and the Board was delighted at the number of applications that were received. Mrs. Nettie Laing was finally chosen and has taken up the position. We are grateful to Mr. Fowler, Accountant, who has let part of his premises to the Public Library Board on a year's lease, renewable from year to year. We are already looking forward to the day when our facilities will expand so that we will have to occupy larger and more permanent premises. Without the help of Mr. Doherty of the Simcoe County Library Cooperative, the establishment of our Public Library would have been impossible. Not only did he make himself available for consultation, but also he has promised that the Library Cooperative would loan us approximately 3000 books for two years, so giving us time to build our own collection. On his recommendation, no doubt, the Dept. of Education Travelling Libraries has loaned us 600 children's books until October. We are most grateful. From the very beginning of this enterprise we have had the unstinted support of Mr. John L. Coe. He went with a large group to look at the Stayner Public Library - a Library and a Librarian of which any community can be justly proud. He planned the shelving arrangements, etc. giving freely of his own time. To him and to Mr. Don Nelson who worked with him, we say a sincere "Thank you". If we were to try to mention here all the people who have supported this venture, the space of this issue of the Lance would be insufficient. I am sure that they know the satisfaction of seeing their efforts bear fruit. The Flos-Elmvale Public Library Board would like to express its sincere thanks to all who have helped in any way: the Councils for their interest and help; those who attended meetings for discussion; those who helped clean up the premises; those who helped with the staining and varnishing of the shelves; those who helped in the unloading and arranging of the books; those who have donated - and those who will donate - money to the Library; those who have made arrangements for the Opening. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge our indebtedness to the members of the Public Library Board. No one will begrudge my paying tribute to Mrs. Lenore Corbett, the Secretary-Treasurer, and Mrs. Muriel Jacobs, who have done most of the donkey work involved; to Mr. Alex McAuley and the Lance Press for the printing, posters, and publicity we have received. Finally I must appeal to all the residents of this area for their help and support. The Library is for your use; the more you use it, the better we shall like it. Your suggestions will be welcomed, although you will appreciate that we might not be able to always carry them out. Your gifts of money and books (which will have to be scrutinized by the Selection Committee) will be gratefully received and personally acknowledged. Please help us to make the Flos-Elmvale Public Library a worthwhile project. March, 1965 Edgar C. Hay-Ellis, Chairman, Flos-Elmvale Public Library Board