Origins and Evolution of the Windsor Public Library

System 1894 -1967

Allan Laporte
November 28, 2000
alaport@uwindsor.ca
Origins & Evolution of the Windsor Library System

Introduction

This paper narrates the history of the Windsor Public Library System. The evolution of the library mirrors

the events and the mood of Windsor. The Library evolves from its role as a custodian of culture, to

becoming a distributor, as well as, a custodian of culture. Throughout the history of the library, there has

been a constant need for publicity to make the public aware of the resources within the library. There has

also been a steady increase in the variety of services offered. The library is considered the People’s

University, and as such educates the whole of the population.

The Birth of Libraries in the New World

Books accompanied the French explorers to the new world. Samuel de Champlain and others had small

libraries, even on their earliest trips. Missionary priests also brought books. The earliest Jesuit College had

a small library attached to it. Even before the British conquest, the Hudson Bay Company made boxes of

books available to traders at the Company’s outposts. In 1796 a social library was formed in Montreal

followed by another in 1800 in Niagara. By 1820 there were as many as a dozen such libraries in Canada.

In a social library each member owned shares in the library. These shares could be traded or sold like any

share. The sale of shares provided funds for the establishment and operation of the library. When support

was needed beyond the initial funds, annual fees were collected. By 1830 social libraries were joined by

Mechanics’ Institute libraries. These were semi charitable organizations, patterned after similar institutions

in Britain. Institutes were a voluntary association of mechanics providing instruction in the elementary and

scientific principles of their trade. They encouraged education and provided lectures series and libraries to

educate workers. In 1851 the Canadian Parliament passed legislation regulating the establishment of

mechanics institutes. The Canadian Government looked favorably on these institutions, and provided an

annual grant of £50. By 1860 when many institutes failed to properly report the use of the funds, grants

were discontinued. (Harris 1984: p 185-188)

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Late nineteenth century, reform liberals believed government should take action to improve society.

Education was a noble concept and would allow the worker to improve his status in society. The concept

of free public library service in Ontario had its birth in these ideals. Public Libraries were associated with

the advance of democratic principles in government. On March 10, 1882 the Ontario Legislature passed the

Free Libraries Act. This Act spelled out the necessary steps for the establishment of a free library.

Birth of a Library System in Windsor

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In 1855 a Mechanics Institute, complete with a library to help keep young men off the streets, was

established in Windsor. By the end of 1856 the Institute was on shaky financial ground and what became

of it is unknown. For many years the idea of a public library in Windsor was discussed and although there

was no opposition, there

Text from Evening Record June 22, 1894

were no concrete results. In

the spring of 1894 the idea

was revived and a citizen’s

committee presented a

petition with five hundred

and forty-two signatures to

Windsor City Council

requesting that the matter

of a public library be

brought before the

electorate. The by-law

illustrated to the left was

prepared and put before the

voters. On June 27, 1894

The Evening Record,

carried the results of both

the Provincial election and

1
Windsor Public Library Annual Report 1954

3
the library vote. Oliver Mowat was re-elected as Premier of Ontario and an overwhelming majority

decided that Windsor should establish a library. On December 6, 1894 Windsor’s first public library

opened in Lambie’s Hall on Ferry Street (at the site presently occupied by the Windsor Star).

Lambie’s Hall
(Francois Baby House Collection)
Lambie’s Hall was constructed in 1855; originally it served as Windsor’s first Protestant Church. It was

also used as a gospel temple and for temperance meetings. At the opening of the library John Curry

Chairman of the Library Board declared the library open

2
… to this and future generations for advancement, amusement and recreation, fitted for
every taste and refinement … I am sure this Library will be another means of attracting
people of culture to the city …

William Kay M.A. served as the first librarian and remained in this position until his death in 1902.

He established the library motto “Dare to be Wise.” In this new library books

were selected from a list and retrieved from the shelves by Mr. Kay. A library

card was not required to read at the library, but to borrow books a card was

purchased at a cost of 5¢ a year. Shortly after the opening of the Library, the

2
Hume. Library Service in Windsor December 1894- December 1936 p1

4
Inspector of Libraries for the Department of Education incorrectly spoke of Windsor’s Library as “the

first Free Library established under the Public Libraries’ Act of Ontario where no Mechanics’

Institute had previously existed.”

Lambie’s Hall 1894 - 1903

The new library was a phenomenal success. Estimates predicted 800 cardholders in the first year; actual

figures reveal 1713 cardholders. Funding for the library was provided by 1/3 mill of city taxes. This

amounted to $1450.00 for the first year. Walkerville & Sandwich were invited to join in a borrowing

agreement with Windsor. After one year of operation the library had 5,254 volumes. Even though the

reading of too much fiction was discouraged, it was the most popular type of book. William Kay in his first

annual report was pleased to note that more solid reading and reference are on the increase. Early

regulations in an attempt to discourage the reading of too many light novels, prevented the exchange of

fiction novels until 3 days had passed.

In 1896 a borrowing arrangement went into effect between Windsor and Walkerville. Walkerville citizens

were granted library privileges, and the Town of Walkerville financed 1/10 of the maintenance costs of the

library, which amounted to $175.00 annually. This was the first arrangement of this type in the Province of

Ontario. This fee increased to $200.00 in 1898 and to $250.00 in 1902.

Patrons became familiar with proper conduct in the library. The rule that was broken most frequently was

one in regards to the exclusion of dogs. There were also occasional problems with groups of school

children that became a little noisy as they looked over the illustrated magazines, or on their way out the

door. It was found that by taking the names of two or three of the offenders and threatening an enforced

visit from the Police Magistrate problems diminished. Men were the primary patrons of the library and it

was a matter of regret that the ladies of the city are making so little use of the reading room.

There was steady growth at the library and the increased numbers put a strain on the existing facilities. By

1897 overcrowding and the need for larger facilities were familiar issues with library officials. In 1898 the

need for a card catalogue and cabinet became apparent.

The year of 1897 marked the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria and this was reflected in the many works

regarding this subject that were placed upon the shelves. Collecting and preserving documents pertaining to

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the early history of the County became an important function of the Library. In 1900 the Boer War lead to

an increased demand for books about South Africa and the Army and the Navy.

A New Century

In 1901 Mr. Andrew Braid, Secretary of the Library Board submitted a formal request for financial

assistance in constructing a new library building, to the American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

Carnegie granted $20,000 on the condition that the city provided a suitable site and appropriated $2,500.00

annually for maintenance. A site at the corner of Victoria Avenue and Park Street measuring 169 feet by

120 feet was acquired for $5,750.00. Tenders for the new building and plans were submitted. The cost was

$24,760, well over the $20,000 grant. Architects Messrs John Scott & Company of Detroit were authorized

to draw up another set of plans and to keep costs to $18,000. The original plans were sent to Mr. Carnegie

with an explanation that the Board did not have enough money to follow through with the construction.

Andrew Carnegie wrote back stating that he would give another $5000. In July of 1902 another letter was

received with an additional $2000 grant for furnishing. Although this grant was the first Carnegie grant in

Canada, the large amount of time spent on construction allowed Collingwood to gain the distinction of

being the first Carnegie Library to be opened in Canada.

3
Andrew Carnegie was the wealthiest person of his time. He made his fortune in

the steel industry in Pittsburgh. As a young man he found himself barred from

free membership in Col. James Anderson's "Mechanics' and Apprentices' Library.

It was an experience he never forgot and which motivated his campaign of

worldwide library building. Carnegie believed a library should be "Free to the

People." 4Although Carnegie was a generous benefactor many felt his money

was unfairly earned on the backs of the Steel workers of Pittsburgh. There were those who would not enter

a Carnegie Library, due to the deaths that occurred during an 1892 strike at the Carnegie Steel Company.

3
http://www.clpgh.org/exhibit/carnegie.html Bridging the Urban Landscape Andrew Carnegie a Tribute,
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, in collaboration with Common Knowledge: Pittsburgh,
Created: October 1994 - March 1995.Last updated: 7 July 2000.
4
Neill. 1986 p 18

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 Francois Baby House Collection
Windsor’s Main Library – Park & Victoria

On October 16, 1903 the Minister of Education Richard Harcourt officially opened the new Main Library.

Senator Casgrain also spoke at the opening and said that while the library building is a gift from Mr.

Carnegie, he could not forget the uncomplimentary things the great philanthropist has said about Canada.

In this new building the public was given free access to the shelves for the first time; prior to this books

were retrieved for patrons.

5
A cultural impetus followed the opening of the Carnegie Library. The library served as
a center for culture in the area. Within a month a society formed with its purpose “the
cultivation of literacy and artistic tastes in a broader degree than acquired by routine
study”.

With the new library came new services. The Library Board arranged for three lectures as part of the

University of Toronto Extension Lectures at a cost of 40¢. Professors Coleman, Carruthers and Alexander

spoke on “Canadian Lakes,” “Ancient Greek Sculpture” and “The Novel.” In June 1904 the Essex County

Historical Society organized to collect the history of the county and record the genealogy of its families.

The annual meeting of the Ontario Historical Society for 1904 was held in the auditorium of the new

library. Interest was great; there were seats for 300, yet many more were turned away. Francis Cleary the

president of the Society presented “A History of the Church of Assumption” in the auditorium of the

Library on the 24th November 1905.

5
Morrison. 1954 p 199

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 In March 1905 the Town of Walkerville opened a library on the second floor of Walker’s store on

Sandwich Street. Once this library was in operation the sharing agreement between Windsor and

Walkerville was cancelled. Due to the razing of the building, the Walkerville Library moved in June of the

same year to the Northwest corner of Kildare and Wyandotte. In September 1907 the Walkerville library

once again moved this time to Wyandotte and Devonshire, on the second floor of the newly completed

Strathcona Block, for a yearly rental of $360.00. In 1914 the Carnegie Foundation offered $13,000 towards

a new building but it was decided this amount was not large enough. The library remained in the Strathcona

block until 1922 when it moved to Willistead.

By 1908, a mere five years after it opened, the library was already out of space. There was talk of an

addition to provide more space for adult books and a library for Juveniles. The library was a great promoter

of the city and in its annual report spoke of the virtues of Windsor.

What Windsor Has

Windsor Public Library Annual Report 1908

• It has six public and three separate school buildings, and a Collegiate Institute.
• It is tapped by five lines of railways: Grand Trunk, Wabash, Michigan Central and Canadian
Pacific, also connections with the Pere Marquette at Walkerville, giving Windsor the best
transportation facilities of any city in Canada. Shipments can be made by water or railroad.
• It takes eight large car ferries to transfer the freight and passenger trains from Windsor.
• The Michigan Central R.R. is building a tunnel under the Detroit River, which will cost
$10,000,000.
• It is connected to all points by telephone and telegraph lines,
• Windsor owns its electric light system and waterworks.
• Windsor is an electric as well as a steam railway center. It is the terminal point of the
Windsor & Tecumseh, the Sandwich, Windsor & Amherstburg and the Windsor, Essex &
Lake Shore electric radial railway lines. The latter is the longest and best equipped single
phase system in Canada.
• Windsor is the center of the richest salt deposits in Canada.
• Windsor is the largest drug centre in Canada
• Windsor has special legislation to grant bonuses to manufacturers on the sanction of city
council only.
• Windsor has more branch offices and factories of United States firms than any city in Canada.

Inspired by a collection of fossils and minerals donated to the library in 1909, the librarian hoped that other

public-spirited citizens would make similar donations so that the library might in time assume the nature of

a museum. The library’s’ card catalogue was increasing and fiction and juvenile cards were now separate

from the general collection. In 1910, borrowers fees were reduced from five to two dollars for residents of

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Essex County living outside of the city limits of Windsor. The library in its promotion of Windsor for 1910

made note that Windsor now had a live Board of Trade, ready to give information and assistance to

prospective businesses.

The library continued to progress and in 1911 children over the age of fourteen were allowed to retrieve

their own books from the shelves. In 1912 circulation policy was changed to allow patrons to borrow two

books at a time. In the county the Leamington Public Library opened in 1912 with financial assistance

from Andrew Carnegie. Access to the Windsor library was extended to all students outside of the city who

attended a Windsor school. Industry was expanding in Windsor and in the Annual Report of 1913 the

Library noted that Windsor has sixty acres of land within the city limits, which was devoted strictly to

factory sites.

The first branch library opened in January 1914, in Clarence Lanspeary’s drug store at 143 Wyandotte

Street East. From this location the library offered biweekly deliveries of requested books. Mr. Lanspeary

also offered space for a West End Branch in his new store at London (University) and Wellington when it

was complete. The year 1914 marked the end of the 5¢ charge for library cards. The free library was now

truly free.

The War Years

In 1914 war broke out and the library added additional military and naval books, as well as, special

literature on the war itself. There was an increase in the circulation of periodicals due to the war in Europe.

A Children’s Hour was established every Saturday from 3 till 4 during the winter months. An innovation

was noted in the cleaning of books, without taking them from the shelves, by the use of a vacuum cleaner.

Hydro-electric lighting and heating was now an established feature in the city and the lighting in the library

was changed from electricity to hydro-electric. The Reference Room grew to be one of the most distinctive

functions of the library. Students from the Collegiate Institute preparing for debates, preachers, historical

students, politicians, literary clubs etc. all made use of the Reference Room. Modern amenities started to

appear and according to the Library’s annual report Windsor had hydro-electric and natural gas for

manufacturing and commercial purposes for the next quarter of a century. In the County the Kingsville

Public Library opened with Carnegie Institute assistance.

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For 1915 the war continued to mold the activities of the library. Recruiting posters were hung on the walls

of the various rooms. The Imperial Government of Japan donated guidebooks to Japan and China. Rolls of

Battalions of Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Forces were furnished by the Department of Militia at

Ottawa. Branches for Soldiers opened at the Quarters of the 99th Essex County Battalion, the grounds of

the Driving Park Association and at the Soldiers Club on Sandwich Street.

6
Like everything else, our work has been more or less overshadowed by the greatest war of all ages.
Many of those faces that used to be familiar at the delivery desk or in the Reference Room, are now
upholding the honor of the Empire at the front. … We are also endeavoring to correct the tendency to
depression, which at time assails us all, by a liberal supply of cheerful fiction.

As was unfortunately all too common, the health officer destroyed fifty books due to contagious diseases.

The library continued to extol the virtues of Windsor including in 1915, the fact that Windsor was the

centre of the automobile trade of Canada.

A boiler burst in the library and resulted in the closure of the library from March 16 – 28, 1915. As the war

continued through 1916 branch libraries were established at the camp of the 241st Battalion and at the

quarters of the Construction Corp. A picture taken of the 99th Battalion before their departure to England

was displayed in the library. Nearly all libraries in the province noted that the circulation of books had not

increased in proportion to the increase in the population. This was blamed on absence of so many men and

the fact that women were actively engaged in providing comforts for our brave men at the front. To assist

the war effort the Committee Room and the auditorium were being used for work of every kind. This work

varied from lectures to meetings to the packing of boxes for overseas. Once again contagious diseases

meant the loss of the newest books, diphtheria being very prevalent in the city in the autumn of 1916.

Extremely cold weather in January and February of 1918 made heating the Library a very costly expense.

The supply of natural gas for the city was inadequate; coal could not be obtained but thankfully several fine

loads of hardwood saved the building from being closed. An epidemic of influenza prevailed in the city in

the fall. The Mayor closed all public buildings where more than twenty people could gather until further

6
McCrae: Windsor Public Library Annual Report 1915

10
notice. The library closed on the 19th of October 1918 and reopened a week later after being thoroughly

fumigated by the City Inspector.

In 1918 Miss Agnes Lancefield, a professional librarian was hired. For the next ten years the library went

through a period of great expansion and success. A series of monthly ads were placed in the Evening

Record beginning February 23rd, 1918 in an effort to attract additional members. Librarians visited schools

and created displays of the modern children’s books. Theatre managers agreed to run slides with a few

words about the library once or twice a week with their regular films.

In 1919 a children’s library was opened in the basement utilizing part of the auditorium. Library rules were

changed to remove age limits. Any resident of Windsor whose name appeared in the city or telephone

directory could obtain a borrowers card; a married woman could also have a card if her husband’s name

appeared in the directories. The library joined the age of the telephone. The Library’s phone number

appeared on the annual report “ Telephone 441”.

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This the first year after the war has been the scene of wonderful prosperity and
industrial activity in the city of Windsor. … Windsor is an industrial centre, and in the
coming year it is planned to create a strong technical section. … A noticeable feature of
the public personnel this year is the number of Veterans who have become borrowers of
the library,

The Roaring Twenties

For 1920 the public library was coming into it’s own. What was once regarded as an expensive, luxurious

frill was described as an institution whose mission was “recreative” and educative, thoroughly up to date in

both management and content. Canada started to promote Canadian culture and the National Gallery lent

the library a collection of a dozen pictures representative of Canadian artists. The East End Branch moved

to the front rooms of a house at 601 Parent Avenue. The New Public Libraries Act of 1920 revolutionized

Library Finances by basing the municipal appropriation on a per capita rate with a minimum of 50 cents.

This change adversely affected the Walkerville Library as Walkerville had a high assessment value in

relation to its population.

The first woman member on the library board was appointed in 1921 by the Board of Education, she was

Mrs. A. L. Mason, Principal of the Cameron Avenue School. The people of the Town of Sandwich were

given borrower’s rights at Windsor Libraries at an annual cost to the town of $200.00. Modern

11
conveniences made life easier and as such, a lawn sprinkler was acquired to water the lawn at the Main

Library. The unemployment situation was mentioned as a possible cause for the current increase in

circulation. Although it was noted that of the new borrowers for the year, only 850 were men as compared

to 868 children and 1,008 women. Co-operation between the Library and the Collegiate Institute was

stronger than ever. Between the hours of 4PM and 6 PM the Library was a centre for students retrieving

material for compositions, speeches and debates. Publication of Canadian Literature was increasing and the

Librarian spoke on this topic for several groups, including the staff of the Parke Davis Company in

Walkerville. There was such a demand for Canadian Literature that the library had trouble keeping up with

the demand.

The library began to loan boxes of books to schools that were a considerable distance from the library.

These books were proven quite popular. Circulation reached a point at the East End Library that it

demanded a place of its own where books could be kept on the shelf.

Women continued to progress and in 1922 the second woman member of library board was appointed, Miss

Cora Hewitt. The library appropriation was increased to $20,000 and circulation increased to 106,000

partly due to unemployment. An unusually large balance in the library account was partly accounted for by

the unavailability of coal due to the miner’s strike in the spring of 1922. A. E. Panet and Andrew Braid

both resigned after serving the library since 1899 and 1897 respectively. Both men were fundamental in the

construction of the Main Library branch.

On May 16 1923 Sandwich established a small library in the auditorium of the Town Hall. The borrowers

agreement with Windsor was terminated. The East End Library moved to a rented store at 612 Parent near

Cataraqui. J. E. Benson, Inspector of Public Schools gave a short speech at the opening. Over 70% of the

circulation for the East End Branch was in children’s books. With so many children of European parentage

the demand for fairy tales was great. Circulation for the East End Branch was 25,000 and for the Main

branch 154,000. It would not be long before a separate library building would be needed for the popular

East End Branch, somewhere in the vicinity of Parent and Giles to take care of the rapidly growing east end

community. Reference use of the library was increasing; in particular Detroiters came looking for the

7
Agnes Lancefield: Windsor Public Library Annual Report 1919

12
British point of view. The

Windsor Public Library Annual Report

reading and reference rooms

were filled with unemployed

men. Library staff consisted of

8 full time employees and one

part time assistant. One of the

Board members W. D. Lowe,

could no longer serve as a

Board member due to his

increasing duties at the Langlois Street Library

Technical School.

In 1924 a Building Committee was appointed to look into expanding the library. In December 1924 the

library went to the voters asking for $75,000 to provide an East End Branch and an addition to the Main

Library. This by law was turned down, possibly due to the short campaign prior to the vote. The Border

Cities Star was noted as a generous provider of publicity for the Library. There was a great increase in the

publication of Canadian books. With the completion of a Library certificate by Miss Helen Langford, the

library now had two professional librarians. Windsor was in the midst of a period of remarkable growth and

the issue of a branch in the West End had to be dealt with. The East End Branch found itself dealing with

children of all races and one aim of the librarian was to instill a love of Canada. Etiquette by Emily Post

was a very popular book.

Nineteen twenty-five was a year of expansion with the East End branch moving to larger quarters on

Langlois Avenue and alterations made to the Main Library. In order to provide better utilization of space;

the entrance of the Main Library was moved to the center front. Adult education was a focus of library

interest for the year.

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 Francois Baby Collection
Main Library after alterations changing the entrance to the front in 1925

For 1926 the East End Branch expanded to take in two stores, instead of the one it had been in. This was

again a year of great growth in the city. As the city grew the urban area spread. The Chairman of the

Library Board resigned as he contemplated a move outside of the city since the area where he lived had

become bare and noisy. A mimeograph was donated to the library and it was planned to prepare

mimeographed book lists.

In 1927 the Parks Board donated a site in Wilson Park, across from the Wyandotte Street School for a West

End Branch. City Council issued debentures worth $30,000 to pay for the new library.

On November 7, 1928 John

Windsor Public Library Annual Report 1929

Richardson Library was

opened. The Annual Report

for 1928 remarked that the

library couldn’t operate on

the 50 cents per capita it

was receiving. An addition

was needed on the Main

14
Branch. An East End Branch was needed and salaries had to be improved. The compilation of an Index to

Canadian Periodicals began here and was distributed to other libraries.

Windsor Public Library Annual Report 1928

In 1929 Miss Lancefield resigned due to her approaching marriage. This was a common occurrence for

women in this period. Angus Mowat succeeded Miss Lancefield as Head Librarian. In Walkerville, a

Branch Library opened in Hugh Beaton School. The look of the annual report was modernized as graphs

appeared for the first time. They were used to show the increase in circulation.

Depression Years

In the1931 Annual Report, Chairmen J.F. Twigg stressed the value of libraries in the depression. “When

days are dark and times hard people find their solace in Books.” The East End Branch was situated in a

district that contained many unemployed and was helping keep up the morale of the citizens. The

librarian’s salary was reduced by $300.00. With unemployment, circulation increased to 514,281. Financial

15
demands due to the rapid growth of library patronage had left no funds to replace worn out books or

purchase new ones.

A 13% budget cut in 1932 lead to a reduction of Library hours and Service. As a result circulation dropped

by 9%. The Children’s Library at the Main branch was closed and the Children’s books were sent to the

John Richardson Library. The adult section at John Richardson was closed and those books were sent to the

Main Branch. The John Richardson Branch closed in the evening, reducing the number of staff required.

The former Children’s Library at the Main Library was used for a Fiction Department. The Main Library

started closing at 1 PM on Wednesdays to reduce staff expenses. Angus Mowat resigned as Chief Librarian

in August 1932, accepting a position as a librarian at the Saskatoon Public Library. Mowat offered to take

over the Canadian Periodical Index at the end of the year and this important library tool passed out of the

hands of the local library.

As a result of the depression and further cuts to the Library Board’s appropriation the very successful East

End Branch closed in March of 1933. By this time it had reached a circulation of 117,000. Four staff

members were let go. A small lending branch was established in Prince Edward School with cooperation

from the Board of Education. A thorough inventory was taken and it was determined that 69 books

purchased in 1933 were missing. It was suggested that the doors be closed so that patrons could leave

through one entrance and exit through another entrance. The Public Library was becoming even more

important as more leisure time was forced upon all workers.

By 1934 library membership was 28,000 out of a population of 61,000. Books that were being made into

movies were becoming very popular. A Library Committee looked into the possibility of acquiring Miss

Margaret Bartlett’s residence next door to the library for an annex. Dougall, Victoria & Harry Guppy Home

and School presidents wrote asking that a children’s branch be established in these schools. In November

1934 a small branch opened in Victoria School. The number of applications for library cards that were

marked “not working at present” was a sign of the times.

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Amalgamation and Further Demands on the Library System

In April 1935 the City of Windsor Amalgamation Act was passed. The Windsor Public Library Board was

dissolved on June 30 as a result of the Act. Under the Act, libraries were placed under the control of City

Council. This resulted in the abolishment of the various Border City Library Boards. Night School classes

reopened increasing the demand for technical books. The Music Collection was enlarged. Radio station

CRCW presented Wednesday evening book reviews with Miss Barteaux and Miss Hume of the Walkerville

libraries alternating as reviewers.

The City of Windsor Amalgamation Act was amended in November 1936 bringing libraries back under the

jurisdiction of the Public Libraries Act of the Province. A Library Board was appointed with Miss Hume

as Chief Librarian. The County of Essex bought the old Sandwich Town Hall and in July the Sandwich

Library moved to the recently vacated Teacher’s Training School on Mill Street. The J.E. Benson Memorial

Library opened in East Windsor, which prior to amalgamation had no library. This library was located in

the Ontario Street School (Ada C. Richards Public School). Benson the Inspector of Public Schools in

Windsor was influential in the earlier establishment of small branches in Prince Edward and Victoria

School. A decrease in circulation was noted, which may be due to the economic improvement and the

reemployment of many workers. Books on economics, politics and current events were quite popular.

There had also been an increase interest in religious books.

By 1937 the Library System of the new amalgamated City of Windsor consisted of :

• Sandwich Library 615 Mill Street

• Main Library (Name now changed to Carnegie Library)

• John Richardson Children’s Library (Wyandotte Street West)

• Prince Edward Children’s Library (Prince Edward School at Giles & Parent)

• Victoria (Victoria Public School at Victoria & Ellis)

• Willistead Library (Willistead Manor)

• South Branch name now changed to Hugh Beaton (Hugh Beaton Public School at Chilver & Lens)

• J. E. Benson Memorial Library (Ontario Street Public School at Ontario & Ellrose)

17
The new Library Board was facing the enormous task of completely overhauling or revising all records

related to the various libraries and their holdings. They also had to provide modern library service across

the city including areas such as East Windsor that had not been serviced before.

Since both Willistead and Carnegie Library were too small to hold all the services required for the new

library system, two main libraries were established. Willistead became home to the Board, Chief Librarian,

the business office, the Catalogue and Children’s departments. Carnegie became the Chief Reference

Library. The second floor of Willistead, which had been the Walkerville Town Hall, was put into use

housing some municipal departments of the new city. The City of Windsor Finance Commission, which

had been appointed by the Province, was one of the departments located in Willistead.

January 13, 1938 marked the formal opening of the Sandwich Library on Mill Street. A Parent -Teacher

Reference Library was established at Willistead. Reference questions focused on an unusual interest in

Canadian affairs in particular Canada’s foreign policy.

World War II

Like all other phases of national life in 1939, libraries were placed on a wartime basis that necessitated

careful book selection and free service to all soldiers. A Library was established in the Windsor Barracks.
8
In September there was an unprecedented demand for books on military, naval and
aerial affairs in general and on backgrounds of the war. … all right-thinking people are
already trying hard to probe the festering sores that lead to war in order that the may have
a least a glimmer of understanding of how a peace can be achieved that will be more
permanent than the last one

Circulation was down and this was attributed to the fact that the outbreak of the war directed the activities

of many to patriotic purposes.

In 1940 the Essex County Library Association was organized. The cost of books had increased due to the

devaluation of the Canadian dollar in relation to the American dollar. On July 1,1940 a Canadian War

Emergency Tax of 10% was applied to all goods including books from Non-Preferential Tariff Countries.

The Board introduced a policy of buying British books whenever possible. A decline in circulation was

8
Hume: Windsor Public Library Annual Report 1939

18
attributed to increased employment and the long hours spent on war work and listening to the latest war

news. St Luke’s Barracks Library was established

Winston Churchill Children’s Library in St Alphonsus School opened in July 1941with the cooperation of

the Separate School Board. As a labour surplus was replaced by a labour shortage, workers began to

demand more power. In the Library, the Windsor Public Library Staff Association was organized. It was

decided to try door guards at the library to prevent further losses of books. The Ford Motor Company

donated funds to buy technical books and magazines. Wartime Housing Development was creating

increased demand for library service, in particular in the Eastern part of the city where eight hundred

wartime houses were nearing completion. The theme of the Ontario Library Association Conference was “

When people are burning books in other parts of the world, we ought to be distributing them with greater

vigor.”

Attendance increased for the Art Exhibitions at Willistead until gas rationing came into effect in 1942. A

War Information Bureau was established in the library which furnished brief but essential information on

local war agencies and subjects regarding the war. Radio publicity was supplied by radio station CKLW.

The second floor of Willistead was gradually vacated as space was found at City Hall for more municipal

departments. The Library Board had full control of Willistead. In 1943 an Art Gallery was opened, along

with the establishment of record and film collections. A Children’s Deposit Library was opened in the

Wartime Housing Clubhouse on Wescott Road. The staff petitioned the Board in regards to salary

schedules. The Board, in sympathy with the current trend towards more equitable salaries for civic

employees, adopted a majority of the suggestions in a new salary schedule. Post war plans for the library

were mentioned in the annual report. Unions were growing in importance, particularly in Windsor, and the

library loaned books to U.A.W. – C.I.O. Local 200 and 195 for a library in their union halls. In 1944 Adult

books were added to Children’s deposit library in Wartime Housing Clubhouse on Wescott Road.

19
Post War Period
9
The year of 1945 has been momentous one. The cessation of hostilities in Europe and
the Far East changed our economy from that of war to that of peace. …. Major crisis
between labour and industry arose as the pressure of production of war materials
lessoned.

With the end of the war in 1945 the St Luke’s Barracks Library was closed. Public meetings were held to

discuss a new Main Library. The Library took over operation of the Francois Baby House, which would

become Windsor’s first museum. The Detroit Metropolitan Aviation Planning Authority made use of

library to gather information in an effort to establish a location for Detroit Metropolitan Airport. The Ford

strike was referred to as the most serious event of the year in Windsor and its repercussion on the library

was noted as men had more time to follow new lines of study to help overcome non-existent incomes.

In 1946 new regulations in the Public Library Act raised the standards for librarians. The need for a new

downtown library was stressed, with the idea of a new library as a War Memorial being favorably received.

The scarcity of trained librarians was a major problem in Canadian Library circles. Many librarians left the

profession to make homes for their returning veteran husbands.

In 1947 staff members were included in a new Contributory Plan of Medical Service and Hospital Care for

Employees of the Corporation. A cost of living allowance was granted to all employees. Staff were

enjoying the institution of a 37-hour five-day week. The adult section in Wartime Housing Library was

closed.

10
We are living in a period noted for community organization and this is reflected in
library service. … But where is leisure? The little time there is goes mostly to television,
radio or phonograph.

There was a decrease in circulation for 1949. Children’s librarians noted problems faced in trying to

popularize reading amidst competition from movies, radio and television. The library was busy purchasing

books for adult beginners in English as new citizens arrive in Canada. The Wartime Housing Library

changed its name to the Wescott Rd. Children’s Library. As hundreds of homes were being built in the area

9
Shepley: Windsor Public Library Annual Report 1945.

10
Hume: Windsor Public Library Annual Report 1949.

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of Hugh Beaton and John Campbell School classroom accommodation in this area of the city was taxed. As

a result in 1950 the South Branch library was moved from Hugh Beaton to John Campbell School.

Suburban districts developed on the city borders with no provision for library service. Television became a

real threat to reading. Due to the close proximity to Detroit television stations, half of the television sets in

Canada were concentrated in the Windsor area. Librarians felt the new higher level of education in the

country was not apparent in American television policy. Microfilming of the Windsor Star and the

Windsor Record was being worked on cooperatively between the Library and the Windsor Star. With the

post war boom, home building was a topic in great demand. Problems of aging persons in the community

were gaining consideration with a booklist prepared for a course given to GM workers nearing retirement.

In 1951 the J. E. Benson Memorial Library was closed, followed by the Winston Churchill Children’s

Library in 1952 and the Children’s Deposit Library located in the Wartime Housing Clubhouse on Wescott

Road. In 1953 the Seminole Branch opened. 11The building was one of the finest examples of cinder block

design and was featured in the World Book Encyclopedia. Technical progress continued with the

introduction of a photographic-charging machine at Carnegie Library and the installation of a second phone

line. Windsor’s upcoming centennial celebrations were a focus of much library work..

An enlightened Chief Librarian looked at television, which had been called an enemy of the book and

considered the possibilities of enhanced services in the Library through the use of television. In her Annual

Report of 1954 she spoke to the possibility of adopting the new medium and even installing a television in

the library with the hope of increased readership. Automation continued to take its place in the Library. The

photo charger, dictaphone and calculator all sped up work. It was hoped these devices would allow

librarians more time to do the work for which they were trained. A movement was under way to find some

mechanical means for retrieving all the information required, without having to search through a myriad of

information indexes such as the public catalogue, Canadian Guides to Periodicals etc. In 1956 the Library

Board received approval for a debenture issue of $92,210 to build an annex between Carnegie Library and

the adjacent Bartlett House.

11
City of Windsor Archival Notes

21
In 1957 the Annex to Carnegie was completed. This allowed the head offices to be moved from Willistead

to Carnegie. The opening of the annex brought library service to children at Carnegie for the first time in 25

years. Current events affected the public, as the launching of the first earth satellite increased the demand

for scientific knowledge. Economic recession once again brought more people in to the library. In 1958 the

Library Board opened the Hiram Walker Museum located in the Francois Baby House. Assumption

University opened their Library under Mrs. Robert Haddow, Chief Librarian. The newly opened Western

Ontario Institute of Technology created a further need for technical books. Circulation continued to rise due

to the enforced leisure caused by unemployment. The South Branch library was closed, and the search for

a new location was under way.

In 1959 the South Branch Library reopened in new quarters in a busy shopping centre. Celebration of the

First International Freedom Festival in Windsor & Detroit was marked by an exchange of library materials

between Detroit and Windsor. A Thermo-Fax copier was acquired to duplicate book materials. The

opening of the Teachers College in 1962 was reflected in the increased use of the reference service.

Increased enrollments at the Western Ontario Institute of Technology and Assumption University brought

many students to the library. It was proposed that Windsor’s Centennial Project be a new Main Library.

Costs to provide services continued to increase and in 1964 the organization of Southwestern Regional

Library System for Essex, Kent and Lambton allowed combined resources to be available to all citizens.

Technology continued to advance and a Telex was installed allowing direct communication between larger

libraries in Canada, encouraging Inter-Library Loans.

City of Windsor Annexation of 1966

Much staff time was spent in 1965 preparing for the upcoming City of Windsor Annexation that would add

two additional libraries into the Windsor system. These two additional libraries were the Riverside Library

and the Budimir Library. This annexation of Sandwich East, Riverside and parts of Sandwich West and

South on January 1st 1966 increased the population by 50%. As was the case in the amalgamation of 1935,

this meant providing library service in areas that had no prior library service. Good economic conditions

were felt as married women left the work force and student desk clerks were more difficult to obtain.

22
As Canada celebrated its centennial year in 1967, there was an increased demand for materials on local

history. Unfortunately a new main library did not become Windsor’s Centennial project as hoped in 1962.

It would take until 1973 before Carnegie Library was closed and a new Main Library opened on Ouellette

Avenue.

Conclusions

As one follows the history of the library one is given an insight into the mood and events of the time.

Victorian beliefs can be seen in the rules of the early library where the reading of too much fiction was

discouraged. The Boer War in 1900 influenced the selection of reading materials with an increased interest

in South Africa and military topics. In the first decade of the 20th century culture and education expanded,

in the library this meant educational lectures and the formation of new societies or clubs.

World War I overshadowed the years from 1914 to 1918. In response the library opened new branches for

soldiers, and the impact was felt on circulation as so many were at war or engaged in the war effort. The

end of the war marked an increase in prosperity and industrial activity, which the Library responded to by

working to create a technical section.

In the twenties a distinct Canadian Culture emerged and there are great demands for Canadian Literature.

Women made advances in society through the suffragette movement; at the Library the first woman Board

member was appointed in 1921. The population of Windsor expanded in the twenties and so did library

service. The influx of Eastern Europeans into Canada manifested itself as an increase in demand for fairy

tales in the east end of the city. The twenties were a time of planning for the future. Debentures were issued

to permit the construction of a West End branch.

The Depression lead to funding shortages and cut backs in library service. The 1935 Windsor

Amalgamation created an increased demand for library services over a greater geographical area. It also

forced consolidation, as several Library Boards were replaced by one. This was a similar challenge faced

by all departments of the new City of Windsor.

World War II created shortages and increased costs within the Library. The trend for labour to organize

during the war years was seen in the formation of the Windsor Public Library Staff Association. Wartime

housing created increased demands for library service. Gas rationing affected attendance at library

functions.

23
Cost of living, medical services and a 37-hour work week for library staff marked gains made by labour in

the post war period. Books on home building were in demand as the post war boom ensued. Increased

demand for scientific information marked the progress of technology. The City of Windsor Annexation in

1966 meant the library had to increase its geographical reach similar to the 1935 Amalgamation.

From the adoption of hydro-electric lighting, to telephones, telex machines and the influence of radio,

movies and television, modernization and the advance of technology were felt in the library. New

technologies lead to new methods to publicize the library and the introduction of new services such as film

and record collections. The history and evolution of the Library truly provides a mirror into the events of

Windsor’s past.

24
Bibliography

Harris, Michael H. History of Libraries in the Western World Metuchen, New Jersey: The Scarecrow
Press Inc., 1984

Hiram Walker Historical Collection Francois Baby Picture Collection

Hume, Anne. A History of the Windsor Public Libraries 1937 – 1944 – Unpublished

Hume, Anne. Library Service in Windsor December 1894 – December 1936 - Unpublished

Hume, Anne. Summary of Library Service in the Border Area, 1894 – 1945 - Unpublished

McNally, Peter F. Readings in Canadian Library History 2 “The Aims of the Public Library Movement in
Late Victorian Ontario” Bruce, Lorne. Canadian Library Association, 1996

Morrison, Neal F. Garden Gateway to Canada Windsor: Herald Press, 1954

Neal, F. Township of Sandwich Windsor: Record Printing Company, 1909

Ontario Library Association. Focus Volume 12 No. 5 (November/December 1986) “Andrew Carnegie
……Kind Master” Neill, S.D. Ontario Library Association, 1986

Windsor Public Library Annual Reports 1894 –1967

Windsor Public Library Board Souvenir brochure commemorating the opening of Windsor's new Public
Library, November 24, 1973 Windsor: Windsor Public Library Board, 1973

Windsor Public Library Windsor Historical Scrapbooks – Unpublished - Local Call No. R971.331 H62

Windsor Public Library. Fifty Years of Service: Carnegie Library 1903 – 1953 , Windsor Public Library,
1953

Municipal Archives Windsor Public Library – Records of the Amalgamated and Annexed Municipalities
1858 – 1976 Box RG5

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