cktimes.ca Archives for Cultural Musings on Chatham-Kent
Cultural Musings on Chatham-Kent
Have books will travel told the tale of Chatham\'s early libraries
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Last week in an effort to educate people about the rich, varied and, often times, difficult beginnings the Chatham Public Library experienced we began our look at its first three sites, but it may come as a surprise to many people that the library was housed (from 1839 to present day) in no fewer than fourteen different locations!The fourth site for the library/newsroom (1853-1855) was the second floor of the Temperance Hall at 133 King Street West. This means that the Library moved from a hotel (Royal Exchange Hotel) where liquor flowed openly to a Temperance Hall where the complete opposite was true. I do not think that there was any hidden symbolism in this move but it is a rather interesting coincidence!
In 1855, the Chatham Public Library once again picked up stakes and moved to Chatham's Town Hall at 152 King Street West (east end of Chatham's Downtown Mall in to-day's world). Here it was briefly ensconced in the town hall's ballroom/auditorium Unfortunately, the Town Hall, at this stage in the town's social development, played host to many travelling minstrels, theatrical companies and lecturers. Lacking in a public theatre of any consequence, this was a reasonable use of space but, nevertheless, a usage that was not conducive to a stable, quiet library environment.
On the move once more, the library took up residence in much smaller confines at the Fireman's Hall at 52 King Street West. Cramped for space and not suitable for growth, the library, in 1856, moved once again back to the corner of King and Fifth Streets This time, however, it was not at the Temperance Hall but in a brand new building that locals were describing as were calling "the Ebert's skyscraper" (it WAS four storeys high!).
At this new location within the Eberts Block (northwest corner of King and Fifth Streets), there began a very fruitful, stable and successful time for the Chatham Public Library that lasted until 1864. Part of this success was due to the hiring of former newspaper editor Miles Miller as its first full-time Chief Librarian. Not only did Miller possess a good deal of savvy knowledge about how to run a library but also had a real knack for obtaining outstanding lecturers that allowed the library to play a larger and more integral role within the community as a whole.
In 1864, the library was moved to 197-199 King Street West and remained there for eight years and then assumed a new site at 255 King Street West for four more years. Following that, in 1878-79, the quickly expanding library, secured two good-sized rooms in the Scane Block that had been recently the home for a now departed business college.
In 1879 the library was once more on the move (these books saw a lot of Chatham!). This time it was to stay for eleven years at the Merchant's Bank Building at 17 Fifth Street. Here the library flourished in two rooms that, although relatively small, were cozy, well-lit and,"rather charming", according to most accounts. Unfortunately, as one might expect the library outgrew this confined space and they had to move, once again, in 1890 to a much larger but much less comfortable and considerably "less cozy" site at 185 King Street West.
The new site was without heat during the evening hours, lacked bathroom facilities and just, generally, uncomfortable. No wonder Chatham Library patrons rejoiced in near ecstasy when the great American philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie, made it known that he was interested in providing towns, throughout North America, with funds for building brand new libraries.
Next week..... we will continue on the multi-faceted trail of the early years of the Chatham Public Library. You will, no doubt, be relieved to know that, next week, the much-traveled library (I get the distinct impression that librarians of those early days never really got all of the library's holdings unpacked before they had to move once more!) will find, at long last, a site that was not only permanent but was also a magnificent architectural gem
Jim and Lisa Gilbert are local, national and international award winning educators and historians.
