The feeling was celebratory as people gathered in the new (and quite unrecognizable) Carnegie Room on the lower level of the St. Thomas Public Library on Thursday (March 29, 2012). It was the official re-opening of the revitalized St. Thomas Public Library.
Master of Ceremonies and library board chair Greg Grondin noted that hundreds of people had worked tirelessly to bring the library revitalization to a successful conclusion.
Master of Ceremonies and library board chair Greg Grondin noted that hundreds of people had worked tirelessly to bring the library revitalization to a successful conclusion.
He and dignitaries on hand also expressed thanks for funding from the City of St. Thomas for bricks and mortar and energy-saving updates; grants from Province of Ontario and Government of Canada to ensure accessibility; money from the estate of the late Dorothy Palmer for the new Children’s and Teens’ Services Department and many donations from individuals, service clubs and corporations for new furniture, fixtures, and technology upgrades.
Clockwise from top left: Heather Jackson; members of Ensemble Cordiale; Whitney McWillam; ribbon-cutting; Karen Vecchio, and Greg Grondin (centre).
As envisioned at the beginning of the whole process, the revitalized space is “bright, warm, open, accessible and pleasant to use.”
Looking back over the library’s history, it is evident that many people over many years have worked tirelessly to help ensure that the people of St. Thomas have had access to the worlds of reading and information. The “library” has undergone many reincarnations, relocations and changes in administration and outlook since opening as a Mechanics Institute in 1873 (at the spot on Talbot Street where the St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre now stands).
During the Thursday morning ceremony, greetings and congratulations were delivered by Karen Vecchio on behalf of M.P. Joe Preston; Lori-Baldwin Sands on behalf of His Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario; Whitney McWilliams on behalf of M.P.P. Jeff Yurek; Heather Jackson for City of St. Thomas, and Mayor Jack Couckuyt, Town of Aylmer on behalf of Bill Walters, Warden of Elgin County.
Some of the speakers made mention of their own enjoyment of the library starting from childhood, and of now seeing that same excitement and joy in the next generation.
Mayor Jack Couckuyt joked that he was jealous, referring to the fact that the folks at the Aylmer Library are presently in the process of planning for the future of their own space. He also made note of a recent Globe and Mail article which referred to libraries as the “living room of community”.
I think he was referencing a Friday February 10th article by Lisa Rochon, “The business case for beautiful libraries” (http://bit.ly/zmwJrh). It’s a thought-provoking read.
Rochen ends the article saying:
Looking back over the library’s history, it is evident that many people over many years have worked tirelessly to help ensure that the people of St. Thomas have had access to the worlds of reading and information. The “library” has undergone many reincarnations, relocations and changes in administration and outlook since opening as a Mechanics Institute in 1873 (at the spot on Talbot Street where the St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre now stands).
During the Thursday morning ceremony, greetings and congratulations were delivered by Karen Vecchio on behalf of M.P. Joe Preston; Lori-Baldwin Sands on behalf of His Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario; Whitney McWilliams on behalf of M.P.P. Jeff Yurek; Heather Jackson for City of St. Thomas, and Mayor Jack Couckuyt, Town of Aylmer on behalf of Bill Walters, Warden of Elgin County.
Some of the speakers made mention of their own enjoyment of the library starting from childhood, and of now seeing that same excitement and joy in the next generation.
Mayor Jack Couckuyt joked that he was jealous, referring to the fact that the folks at the Aylmer Library are presently in the process of planning for the future of their own space. He also made note of a recent Globe and Mail article which referred to libraries as the “living room of community”.
I think he was referencing a Friday February 10th article by Lisa Rochon, “The business case for beautiful libraries” (http://bit.ly/zmwJrh). It’s a thought-provoking read.
Rochen ends the article saying:
More and more, true, unfettered public space is increasingly hard to come by. And no, Coffee Time and Starbucks do not count. In a world obsessed by connection, via Twitter, e-mail and endlessly multiplying Facebook friends, the library gives us permission to hunker down by a window or a fireplace, disconnect from the hammering distractions of everyday life, and get on with what has to be learned, and contemplated.
We have arrived at the beautiful, present day St. Thomas Library space through the work of many remarkable people starting way back in 1873. It’s a place that will surely continue to play a vital role in growing more good and thoughtful people in our community.
John Knox, Vice President of Chamberlain Architect Services Limited; Andrew Gunn, executor of the Dorothy Palmer estate; Greg Grondin, library chair; Rudi Denham, CEO; Heather Jackson, Mayor City of St. Thomas; Heather Robinson, revitalization coordinator.
Art plays an important part at the library. Top, the first exhibit in the rotating local art display, by Robin Grindley. Bottom, the Alphabots from A-Z, a gift from Darren Thompson, now create a vibrant focal point in the Children's Library.
Check out an earlier article and tour from library opening day back in January. Find out more about the library at http://www.st-thomas.library.on.ca/.
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