Acton Free Press Recalls Early Acton Library Keepers
A 1967 piece traces Acton library's six decade staff history from 1898 with Ettie Call to 1926 appointee Isabel Elliott and notes the library’s move from the town hall to the St John Ambulance room. It highlights long service and changes in location over the years.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Town Hall
Acton
Ettie Call
R. MacDonald
Dan Graham
Ethel Coleman
Ralston Brown
Lettie Scott
Margaret Wilson
McGilvary
Toronto
Ian McGilvary
Yee Johnone
Isabel ‘Elliott
St. John Ambulance Room
Library leaders' long service noted in 1926 recollection
In 1926 M Mrs Watson had held her post for forty years with Miss Laurra Scott as assistant. Mary Chalmers, then of Toronto, followed as assistant and Helen Lamb later became a teacher in British Columbia. Earlier, Madge Chapman began her lifelong association with the library about thirty years earlier.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Madge Chapman
The
Library
Appointment of temporary assistants over the years
The article records a succession of helpers for a position. Mrs Stan Norton first acted as secretary, followed by Miss Esther Taylor as assistant. As needs grew, Mrs Jack Chapman and Mrs George Williams were brought in to assist, marking increasing reliance on alternate aides.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Stan ‘Norton
Esther Taylor
Jack’ Chapman
Mrrs
George Williams
Old minute book treasured possession
A treasured possession of the library board is a yellowed minute book spanning April 1 1898 to December 31 1949. It records the first Free Library Board meeting in the council chambers and details early governance, library rules, staff duties, funding moves, and growth to over 150 members with 254 volumes issued by 1900.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Library Board
Free Library Board
Public School ‘Board
Toronto
Acton and
Centennial Library Adds 400 to 500 Books
About 400 to 500 books will be added to the Centennial Library inventory immediately after a shipment delay. A notable item is the 24 volume Encyclopaedia Britannica set funded by the South Central Regional Library Board. More reference volumes are sought as a suggested gift to the centennial project.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Centennial Library
South Central Regional Library Board
Aoton Library Reports Yearly Figures and Growth
The Aoton library shows about 800 current members with many children active readers. Roughly 8,900 books circulate locally plus 1,000 children's books at Robert Little and M. Z. Bennett schools. Total circulation last year reached 44,515 volumes borrowed. Rural members allowed. membership open beyond town residents.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Aoton Library
Robert Little
M. Z. Bennett
Library chief comments on centennial project and education role
Library board chairman George Y. Lee comments on the centennial project saying the library should be the community information centre and main source of continuing education for both young and old. He adds it will provide many happy hours for years to come.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Library Board
George Y. Lee
First librarian in 1898 remembered by Mrs. R. MacDonald
Mrs R M MacDonald of 26 Willow Street recalls Ettie Laird, a lively 16 year old chosen as the village's first librarian in 1898. She also worked at the post office learning telegraphy, kept the telegraph key, and earned ten dollars weekly while assisting in the post office.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ettie Laird
Acton
R. M. MacDonald
Willow St
MacDonald
Early Town Library History From A Lively Era
Mrs MacDonald recalls the town library era beginning in a small post office building later demolished. HH P Moore and others helped start the library with 80 patrons paying a quarter for a book, a special catalogue, and Miss Laird as head librarian. New books were rare, but additions came via supplements and occasional help from Mr Moore and Mrs Moore, while Mrs Dan Graham later took over. The town’s streets used board sidewalks and oil lamps were lit and extinguished daily.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mr. Moore
Miss Laird
Mrs. Moore
Moore
Mrs.'MacDonald
Acton
Dan Graham
Also Mentioned on This Page
Acton’ Free Press
Reeve J. A. McLachlan
J. K. Godden
M.A
H. A. ‘Macpherson
Reeve Pearson
John Cameron
Thos. I. Moore
H. P. Moore
H. A. Macpherson
Thos. J. Moore
Public School Board
Municipal Council
J. A. McLachlan
John__Cameron
J. B. Pearson
M. MacDonald
Cheryl Lee
Centennial Year Library Board
Anne Watson
Ac‘ton
W. H. Murray
Watson’s
Library Source of Education
Vorva
Bob-Krul
R. P. Watson
Médge Chapman
Free Press
HH. P. Moore
United Gas Ltd
Acton Public Library Board
Donald E. Skinner Architect
Stavebank RD
Port Credit, Ontario
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