W. Bayne Library

W. Bayne Library. , In 1887, James H. Bayne was president of the newly organized Library and Musical Society. Initially this included only a small collection of books housed in a building on the southwest corner of Dundas and Hagerty Streets, which was also the headquarters of the weekly newspaper, the Newbury Journal., In 1900, the village and surrounding county were canvassed to determine if there was sufficient interest in organizing a Public Library. It was necessary to have at least one hundred members (fifty of whom had to be 21 years of age or over), in order to apply for corporation as a Public Library and be able to receive government support. The government made an annual grant of dollar for dollar expended by the library board. A fee of only 50 cents was set by the committee for the first year., The books were later moved to the former shop of Robert Adair, where Charles Tucker dealt in farm implements. He was also the librarian. Amidst plows and farming apparatus on the floor, the books were sheived on the walls. Books were available only on Saturday nights, when most people came to town., In 1930, Mrs. William Bayne had the Adair house and shop demolished and in its place built a red brick building as a memorial to William Bayne, a longtime village merchant, and their daughter Margaret., The W. Bayne Library, its purpose being to provide a fitting home for the books and a meeting place for the Women's Institute, was dedicated by Rev. Chas. D. Farquharson, a former pastor of the Knox United Church. Although the Institute was to maintain the property, it was deeded to the Village, and became the responsibility of the Council., During the 1920's, a donation was made by the Doctor Oven estate to assist in the purchase of books. During this time period, Middlesex County appointed a Library Association known as the Middlesex County Library Co-operative., The Ontario Department of Education took over the administration of libraries in 1963. In 1964 a new furnace, tile floors and shelving for the books were installed., Since its conception, many volunteers have assisted in maintaining the Library. The following names are found among its records: Armstrong, Robinson, Bayne, Fennel, Cousins, Stalker, Parnell, Ervin, and Tucker.