Lethbridge Public Library
Encyclopedia
The Lethbridge Public Library is a public library
service that is provided by the municipality of Lethbridge
, Alberta
, Canada
. It was established in 1919. While it has had as many as three branches at one time, the library currently has two branches.
The Lethbridge Public Library includes a bookmobile service with a collection of over 16,000 titles, that travels 5 days a week to locations throughout the city.
The library is a member of the Chinook Arch Regional Library System and The Alberta Library
.
It was not until 1919, however, until the library opened. It first opened in August of the year at the former location of the YMCA
at 10 Street and 4 Avenue downtown
. The first library board consisted of W. J. Nelson (Chair), H. W. Meech, and Rev. C. E. Cragg, and the first librarians were A. N. Filmer, L. McIndoe and Arthur Frayne.
The first building — referred to as the Carnegie Library
— created specifically for the library opened on 23 January 1922 at a construction cost of $26,996. It was located in Galt Gardens
and consisted of a children's library, adult library, and lecture room. The Southern Alberta Art Gallery
currently occupies this building.
After World War II
, an increase in patronage to the library resulted a period of growth. In 1951, an extension was built on to the Carnegie Library. Separate branches were built on the northside and southside in 1956 and 1961 respectively.
This expansion culminated with the construction of the building that currently houses the library. This building amalgamated the services from the three previous locations. A 1,858 m² (20,000 sq ft) extension was added to this building in 1992.
On August 30, 2010, The Crossings Branch Library opened on the west side of Lethbridge
.
Public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources and operated by civil servants. There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries...
service that is provided by the municipality of Lethbridge
Lethbridge
Lethbridge is a city in the province of Alberta, Canada, and the largest city in southern Alberta. It is Alberta's fourth-largest city by population after Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer, and the third-largest by area after Calgary and Edmonton. The nearby Canadian Rockies contribute to the city's...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It was established in 1919. While it has had as many as three branches at one time, the library currently has two branches.
The Lethbridge Public Library includes a bookmobile service with a collection of over 16,000 titles, that travels 5 days a week to locations throughout the city.
The library is a member of the Chinook Arch Regional Library System and The Alberta Library
The Alberta Library
Created in 1997, The Alberta Library is a not-for-profit consortium of over 290 public, post-secondary, special, government and regional libraries that works to promote access to information for Albertans...
.
History
In 1910, several Lethbridge residents wrote letters to the editor and held meetings to express support for the establishment of a library. The following year, the Lethbridge City Council passed a bylaw for provision of a library to be known as the Lethbridge Public Library.It was not until 1919, however, until the library opened. It first opened in August of the year at the former location of the YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
at 10 Street and 4 Avenue downtown
Downtown Lethbridge
Downtown Lethbridge is the commercial centre of Lethbridge, Alberta, hosting most of the city's banks and several accounting and law practices, including national firms.-Boundaries:...
. The first library board consisted of W. J. Nelson (Chair), H. W. Meech, and Rev. C. E. Cragg, and the first librarians were A. N. Filmer, L. McIndoe and Arthur Frayne.
The first building — referred to as the Carnegie Library
Carnegie Library
Carnegie Library, Carnegie Public Library, Carnegie Free Library, Carnegie Free Public Library, Andrew Carnegie Library, Andrew Carnegie Free Library or Carnegie Library Building may refer to any of the following Carnegie libraries:- California :*Carnegie Library , listed on the National Register...
— created specifically for the library opened on 23 January 1922 at a construction cost of $26,996. It was located in Galt Gardens
Galt Gardens
Galt Gardens is a urban park located in downtown Lethbridge, Alberta. It is the location of many of the city's festivals and is also the home of the Southern Alberta Art Gallery.-History:...
and consisted of a children's library, adult library, and lecture room. The Southern Alberta Art Gallery
Southern Alberta Art Gallery
The Southern Alberta Art Gallery is located in downtown Lethbridge, Alberta and is known as one of Canada's top ten contemporary art galleries. It has three gallery spaces and a gift shop.-History:...
currently occupies this building.
After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, an increase in patronage to the library resulted a period of growth. In 1951, an extension was built on to the Carnegie Library. Separate branches were built on the northside and southside in 1956 and 1961 respectively.
This expansion culminated with the construction of the building that currently houses the library. This building amalgamated the services from the three previous locations. A 1,858 m² (20,000 sq ft) extension was added to this building in 1992.
On August 30, 2010, The Crossings Branch Library opened on the west side of Lethbridge
West Lethbridge
West Lethbridge , is one of three geographical areas in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. It is the newest and the fastest growing...
.