Guelph in Wellington County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Guelph Public Library / Bibliothèque publique de Guelph

Guelph Public Library (<i>marker north side</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 26, 2022

1. Guelph Public Library (marker north side)

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

[English]
One of the first municipally supported libraries formed in Ontario following passage of the Free Libraries Act of 1882, the Guelph Public Library was established on February 10, 1883. It replaced the limited library service which for several decades had been available to the community through the Farmers’ and Mechanics’ Institute. Dedicated to the idea of educating the workingman, the Institute had sponsored lectures and classes and provided a reference and circulating library for members. In March 1883 its assets were formally transferred to the newly-created public library. The library occupied various sites until 1905 when a permanent building was erected here. Housed in the present structure since 1965, the Guelph Public Library remains a major source of information and recreational reading for this community.

[Français]
Créée le 10 février 1883, la bibliothèque publique de Guelph est l'une des premières bibliothèques municipales établies après la promulgation en 1882 du Free Libraries Act. Elle a remplaça les services de bibliothèque offerts à la collectivité pendant plusieurs dizaines

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

d’années par l’Institut d’agronomie et de mécanique. Dédié à l’éducation du travailleur, l'institut organisait des classes et des lectures et mettait à la disposition de ses membres une bibliothèque de référence et de prêt. En mars 1883, les biens de l'institut furent transférés à la nouvelle bibliothèque publique. En 1905, la bibliothèque fut installée de façon permanente dans un édifice construit sur cet emplacement. A ménagée depuis 1965 dans l’édifice actuel, la bibliothèque publique de Guelph demeure l’une des plus importantes sources de lecture et d'information de la collectivité.

Erected by Ontario Heritage Foundation, Ministry of Citizenship and Culture.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Foundation, and the Carnegie Libraries series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is February 10, 1883.

Location. 43° 32.729′ N, 80° 15.154′ W. Marker is in Guelph, Ontario, in Wellington County. Marker is at the intersection of Paisley Street and Norfolk Street, on the left when traveling east on Paisley Street. Marker is located near the southeast corner of the Guelph Public Library. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Norfolk Street, Guelph ON N1H 4J6, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

Bibliothèque publique de Guelph (<i>marker south side</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 26, 2022

2. Bibliothèque publique de Guelph (marker south side)

walking distance of this marker. Duncan-McPhee Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Masonic Centre (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Guelph Salvation Army (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); The Home of the First Mayor of Guelph (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Toronto-Dominion Bank (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Provincial Winter Fair Building (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Guelph's Original Town Hall (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); John Galt's Town Plan (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Guelph.

Also see . . . Guelph Public Library - Our history through the years. Library website entry:

1832 • The first Guelph library began in the back room of a Wyndham Street store. There was a fee for checking out books.
1850 • The Guelph Farmers' and Mechanics' Institute was established with a small book collection. There was also a reading room for members only.
1883 • The City of Guelph passed a by-law on January 18 to create the first public library in Ontario. On February 10, the Farmers' and Mechanics' Institute donated its book collection to the Guelph Free Public Library.
1905 • The first Guelph library was built on the corner of Norfolk and Paisley streets. This project was funded by the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. It served 12,000 Guelph residents
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 26, 2022

3. Guelph Public Library / Bibliothèque publique de Guelph Marker
(looking north from Paisley Street • library in background)
with its classic dome building and front pillars.
1964 • The Carnegie Library was demolished on December 7th.
1965 • Construction of a new main library began on the same location. In November, our current main library opened its doors at 100 Norfolk Street.

(Submitted on June 12, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Guelph Public Library / Bibliothèque publique de Guelph image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 26, 2022

4. Guelph Public Library / Bibliothèque publique de Guelph

(entrance on Norfolk Street)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 26, 2022

5. Guelph Public Library / Bibliothèque publique de Guelph

(northeast elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 94 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 12, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.