History of Lambeth Public Library – Part 1 by Doris Bond-Montgomery for The Westminster Twp. Historical Society How did it begin? It certainly didn’t spring up overnight. Nearly 100 years ago, a small, enthusiastic group of book lovers met at the home of Mrs. Ben Holtby, Main St. Lambeth, to organize a lending library. Mrs. Holtby offered to look after the library in her own home, with regular hours to be Monday 7 to 9 pm, Thursdays 3 to 5 pm., and Saturdays 7 to 9 pm. Mrs. Holtby and Mr. Hardy visited the London Public Library to learn how to organize and catalogue books properly. By September 1924, 72 paid-up members had joined, 1142 books had been donated, and 97 books were in the travelling library from Toronto. In September 1925, Mrs. Holtby was voted $50.00 for her year’s work. More space was essential, so in September 1926, the library moved to Mrs. Taylor’s house on Talbot Road South.. There never was enough money. The Association visited County Council, Township Council, and the Village Trustees but to no avail. So, they raised money in any way they could: plays, teas, garden parties, canvassing the village for donations, anything they could think of to bring in a few dollars.
F. Boyes, C.A. Ramsden, Eber Kelly, F. Davies, T.H. Hamlyn, P.A. Reynolds, Elvin Hunt, F. Burrows, Thos. Mickleborough, J. Coombs, Rev. E.H. Croly, Rev. C.A. Barnard and J.A. Reid. Mr. Eber Kelly presented an estimated $1600.00 for the building, without labour, and the lot at $500.00. On November 24, 1930, it was duly moved and seconded that a library be built and the corner lot at Talbot Rd. S. and Broadway be purchased for $250.00. The agreement was signed on January 06, 1931. The official opening was on July 10, 1931. Circulation increased, so the library opened for an additional two hours, with Miss Nevena Jones volunteering as librarian. The January 1932 annual report showed 40 adult members, 69 juvenile members, and 1554 books on the shelves. The 1935 annual meeting noted Mrs. Holtby’s passing. She had served her community well as its first librarian, devoting many hours to her beloved books with very little remuneration. Mrs. Thomas Dunbar was appointed librarian on March 25, 1935, at $50.00 per year. The building was sold to the Township of Westminster on April 13, 1936. In the fall of 1938, the board agreed to cooperate with the school section in establishing a circulating library. By the fall of 1939, all eleven school sections were participating. In the spring of 1941, the library was in Mrs. Margaret Ramsden’s care. The building was closed for one month for general repairs, reopening with a garden party on July 09 to celebrate its 10th anniversary of opening. On July 10, 1941, Mrs. Kaye Tanton became librarian, and family membership was raised to 75 cents per year. In April 1953, the Lambeth Library Association was dissolved, and the Lambeth Public Library was organized under the Public Libraries Act. Due to this status change, the province made a one-time grant of $200.00 available. The Inaugural Meeting of the Lambeth Public Library was held in the library on April 13, 1953, with five members on the Board as the Act required: Mrs. A.W. Gregory, J.E. Edgington, G. Talbot, John Harrison, and chairman-elect C.G.Wright with Mrs. Kaye Tanton as librarian. The librarian’s salary was $240.00 per annum. It was also noted that an assistant librarian was needed. A total of 1200 books were received from the Middlesex County Library Co-operative. Three hundred of these were to be changed quarterly. Look for Part II of the History of the Lambeth Library in a future issue of the Lambeth Villager.
In 1928, they interviewed the Continuation School Trustees, hoping to use the Science Room for a library, but the trustees were not in favour. By 1930, it was noted that they must build or put up a tent. So, the executive appointed a committee, headed by Mr. Matheson, to consider building a library. This committee lists several well-known local names. J.A. Matheson, chairman, Dr. Colling,
To advertise here, please contact Gloria@villagerpublications.com
Lambeth Villager • June 2024 • Page 13
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs