THE DRESDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY: Built in 1913 with impetus provided by an $8,000 grant from the Carnegie Foundation on November 27, 1906.
This post is intended primarily for my friends who are members of the Dresden Virtual History Group because the town's library is the oldest public service institution still active in the community today.
 |
| Here is a photo of my mother Grace (right) with her best friend Edith Barett, standing at the side door of the new Dresden Library in about 1915. |
In the early 1890s, Scottish-American industrialist and self-made millionaire Andrew Carnegie wrote that among institutions that could most benefit from philanthropy, the "best gift" to a community was a free, or "public," library. Carnegie credited his success in life partly from his childhood and teenage access to library books. But the 19th century was a time when most libraries were not free, and could only be accessed through annual paid subscriptions meaning that only wealthier people could afford to "borrow" books.
True to his beliefs, Carnegie announced in 1898 that he would start donating money to further the construction of public libraries in the United States and around the world. The "Carnegie Formula," by which Carnegie paid the capital costs of construction while municipalities were responsible for ongoing operational expenses, was part of his broader belief that educational opportunities should be accessible to all.
By the time the Carnegie Corporation stopped providing grants 20 years later, 2,509 library buildings around the world had been constructed and over 56 million dollars had been donated. In Canada, 2.5 million dollars donated by Carnegie helped build 125 library buildings. The majority were built in Ontario (111), but libraries funded by Carnegie were also built in other provinces and territories: three each in Alberta and British Columbia, four in Manitoba, one in New Brunswick, two in Saskatchewan and one in the Yukon.
 |
| Andrew Carnegie |
The funding of new libraries in Canadian towns and cities corresponded with a number of related societal issues. At the end of the 19th century, a dramatic expansion of Canadian society was occurring, and increasingly more people were demanding free public library services. City and town officials soon discovered, however, that while the rooms they rented to house lending libraries were now inadequate, there was still not enough money to build proper library buildings to accommodate public demand. Consequently, there was great enthusiasm when Carnegie announced his funding program.
Early Carnegie libraries in Canada, constructed between 1901 and 1905, were not built to standardized plans. The architects who designed them were more free to follow their imaginations, or to use architectural techniques that had been popular in the late 19th century.
After 1905, and until it ended funding in 1917, the Carnegie Foundation demanded standardized designs for library buildings. This standardization is most evident in Carnegie-funded buildings built in Ontario. In general, they are in small towns and are designed in the Beaux-Arts architectural style. This style became extremely popular in the first decade of the 20th century with architects and town planners, who were following the principles of the City Beautiful movement. This movement generally ascribed to the idea that cities should have well-designed and aesthetically pleasing streetscapes, combining green spaces with iconic buildings built along Classical forms. As a result, many institutional buildings between 1900 and 1914 (including the Dresden library in 1913) were built in a neo-classical or Beaux-Arts form. Libraries in this style generally have grand exterior staircases leading up to large main entrance doors, classical columns, triangular centre gables, large symmetrically placed windows on each side of the entrance, and even domes.
You cannot mistake a Carnegie library building: the words "PUBLIC LIBRARY" or "CARNEGIE LIBRARY" are prominently displayed above the front entrance. Interior furnishings were welcoming and cozy. Oak floors, high ceilings, finely-made wood bookshelves, stained glass windows, and fireplaces provided the ideal setting to enjoy the library's services. Most of these buildings are still standing which is a testament to the quality of their design and materials.
Carnegie libraries were expressions of the hopeful, thriving spirit of new communities, were designed to serve as prominent landmarks, and encouraged people to build greater community connections. Over a century later, Canada's remaining Carnegie libraries still function with the same intent. It is also worth noting that most libraries now serve as repositories for local community history resources, and help researchers piece together data that leads to important designations of historic places. As we celebrate the ways in which libraries provide Canadians with free access to stories, electronic information resources and social media, it is worth remembering how this tradition of free and accessible learning began.
Oddly enough, when I was going to school in Dresden in the 1940s little emphasis was placed by the education system on the local library as a lending and information source. Likewise, the library offered very few public programs to the community at large...A real shame in my mind. I almost feel that kids in my age bracket were somehow cheated in a way. It wasn't until later years that I came to appreciate libraries in general as a font of information for a fledgeling journalist and writer-researcher.
I have been impressed to learn that the Dresden library today (with its readily available Photocopier, Microfilm Reader, Internet Access/Wireless Hotspot, Elevator and Meeting Rooms) is a virtual beehive of activity. Here is a thumbnail look at some of the interesting and varied programs currently offered to the community.
Stay & Play: Every day the Dresden Branch has drop-in activities in the children's area.
Twilight Tales: Dates: Thursdays, until April 25
Time: 6:30 to 7:00 pm.
Wear your pajamas and be ready for fun because this is a great family storytime that gets everyone up and moving! No registration is necessary.
Morning Storytime: Dates: Wednesdays, until May 8
Time: 10:00 to 11:00 am.
Stories, songs and fun for the wee ones! An opportunity to let preschool kids start a lifelong love of the library.
How to Get the Most From Your Library: Date: Tuesday, May 14
Time: 1:00 to 2:00 pm.
When are the courier bins delivered? How do I put a hold on a specific DVD? How do I sign up for Hoopla movies? Bring your questions to this workshop and let the staff share some tricks that will make using CKPL so easy.
Teddy Bear Picnic: Date: Wednesday, June 5
Time: 10:00 to 11:30 am
Ages: 5 years and younger.
Teddy stories, Teddy games, Teddy songs, Teddy, crafts, Teddy snacks. Yes, It's Teddy everything! Everyone meets under the big tree in the park across from the library.
Dresden Used Book Sale: Date: Saturday, June 15 to Saturday, June 22
Saturday, June 15 to Saturday, June 22
Time: During library open hours
The book sale is set up in the basement of the Dresden Branch. You will be impressed at the state of these used books, so bring your friends and spend some time browsing the tables.
TD Summer Reading Club Registration Starts: Date: Saturday, June 22
Time: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Ages: 0 to 16
Summer will be here in no time. Make sure you put this date on your calendar so you can register early. There will be activities all summer long and lots of prizes.
Mystic Drumz: Date: Friday, June 28
Time: 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Ages: All ages
Kick off the summer with a unique interactive percussion experience. Rhythm and sound instruments from around the world will excite, enlighten and engage the whole family.
BYOB (Bring Your Own Book) Club: Date: Second Tuesday of the month. Time: 3:00 to 4:00 pm.
Each month there is a different theme for this book club for adults. There is no registration, so just read (or listen to) a book from the month's theme and then join a discussion group. Newcomers are always welcome.
Settlement Services: Date: the first Thursday of every month. Time: 1:30 to 4:30 pm
Are you a newcomer to Canada? Settlement Services can help with immigration issues, legal issues, education, housing and more.
Community Navigators: In partnership with Employment and Social Services, Chatham-Kent Public Library can help connect you with community services, fill in applications and more. Open to all, with the help of a Community Navigator, CKPL can:
1) provide one-on-one instruction in accessing government, social and health services online
2) assist with completing online forms and applications
3) help with referrals to community agencies
4) provide employment support and referrals to employment support agencies
help to identifying continuing learning opportunities based on your individual needs.
Friends of the Dresden Library: The Friends of the Dresden Library is a volunteer group focused on raising money to help enhance programs. Anyone is welcome to join this group and public assistance is greatly appreciated by the Dresden Branch staff.
Some institutions definitely get better with age. The legacy lives on...in towns like Dresden.
No comments:
Post a Comment