Thunder Bay Public Library

Thunder Bay Public Library. . The Thunder Bay Public Library came into being following the amalgamation of Fort William and Port Arthur in 1970. Prior to this, each city had its own library system. Both libraries emerged in the late 1800s and grew into strong community and cultural centres, a role that continues to the present day., Fort William's library began in 1885 with a group of Canadian Pacific Railway employees who opened a bath, smoking/literary room and an attached library in the roundhouse of West Fort William. By 1905, the library had become a citizen's library and was located in the town hall basement. In 1908, the library became known as the Fort William Public Library (FWPL)., A grant from Andrew Carnegie, a known philanthropist dedicated to the establishment of free public libraries, resulted in a new building for the FWPL, located at 216 South Brodie Street. Designed by architects Hood and Scott and opened to the public on April 29, 1912, the building included a centrally located entrance with flanking columns, high ceilings, interior columns and tiled mosaic floors, elements typical of Carnegie libraries. Although stained glass was also a feature of Carnegie libraries, the FWPL was unique in the use of stained glass fan lights representing notable authors of the time. Following amalgamation, the library building was renamed the Brodie Resource Library. It was designated as a historically significant building in 1982 by the City's Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee., The community of Westfort began calling for its own branch library as early as 1911. Library services in Westfort commenced in 1919 with two rented storefronts in the Garrity Block on Frederica Street. The Westfort branch library opened on October 4, 1938, and was named after the first librarian of the FWPL, Mary J. L. Black., Captions (clockwise from top) , . Above: Mary J. L. Black Library following renovations completed in 1962. , . Above right: Mary J. L. Black, the first librarian of the Fort William (Public) Library. , . Far right: Fireside Reading Room of Brodie Resource Library, opened 1912. , . Brodie Resource Library following renovations completed in 1956. , Written by Thunder Bay Public Library Reference staff (©2009). . This historical marker was erected in 2009 by City of Thunder Bay. It is in Thunder Bay in Thunder Bay District Ontario