Old Strathcona Branch (Edmonton Public Library)
Encyclopedia
The Old Strathcona Branch, completed in 1913, is the oldest branch library in the Edmonton Public Library
system, and one of the oldest libraries in Alberta
. It is located on 104th Street, a block off of Whyte Avenue in the heart of Old Strathcona
. Situated next to Wilbert McIntyre
Park, the iconic Old Strathcona Gazebo, and the year-round Old Strathcona Farmer's Market, the Old Strathcona Branch is often a central gathering area for much of the local community. During the annual Edmonton International Fringe Festival
in the surrounding area, the Old Strathcona Branch often hosts a large booksale to help shift aging and excess material from Edmonton Public Library's
circulation.
. In 1910, a petition from citizens was eventually presented to the city council, officially requesting the construction of the library. The city quickly bought up the land for $6,250 from a local farmer, and organized the Strathcona Library Board. The American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie
eventually offered the city $15,000 to build a small, standardized library. However, the board did not feel this would provide the library they were hoping to build, and they declined Carnegie's offer. Costs for the new library were eventually paid for as part of the agreement when Strathcona and Edmonton amalgamated in 1912.
Construction began in 1912, and the new library was opened on March 13, 1913 by ex-Strathcona Mayor John Joseph Duggan and Edmonton Mayor William Short. Final cost of the library was approximately $27,000. The library was popular upon opening, and boasted an impressive circulation for the size of Edmonton at the time. The first minor renovation was completed in 1948, which converted the original men's-only reading room in the basement into a children's library.
The post-WWII years, however, saw a sharp decline in usage as Edmonton rapidly expanded outward in the post-war boom, and Old Strathcona
began to fall into disrepair and decline. The completion of the much larger and more modern Stanley A. Milner central library
downtown in 1967 further perpetuated this decline. By the late 1960s, the aging and poorly maintained building began to require significant upkeep costs. The director of Edmonton Public Library attempted to close the branch in 1970. Although the closure was defeated by public opposition, the structural decline of the building meant the second floor could no longer support the weight of books, and the branch's collection and hours of operation were severely cut.
The early 1970s, however, saw a resurgence of support for the Old Strathcona Branch. Proposed south-side to downtown freeways threatened to destroy the remaining historic elements of Old Strathcona around Whyte Avenue. This led to a new interest in historic preservation and restoration, and the rebirth of Old Strathcona as a trendy arts and nightlife district. This resurgence brought great support for the library, and in 1976 the building was declared a Registered Historic Resource of Alberta by the provincial Minister of Culture. From 1984 to 1985 the library received a $250,000 restoration, undertaken by R.R. Roberts Architects, and paid for by the sale of the original downtown library building in the late 1960s when it was demolished to build the Alberta Government Telephones
Tower (today Telus Plaza
).
Since the mid 1980s, the branch has again become one of Edmonton Public Library's busiest, and is often seen as a community focal point for Old Strathcona. In 2004, the City of Edmonton named the building a Municipal Historic Resource, and from 2005 to 2006 the library was closed for another extensive restoration and expansion. This expansion added a large semi-circular addition, modern facilities to provide handicap accessibility, modern and efficient mechanical systems, and nearly doubled the library's original size. The renovation, however, was careful to maintain the building's original historical elements.
buildings of the Edwardian age. Although grand in appearance, with ionic columns and limestone cornices on the exterior and intricate carved wood on the interior, the design is far more simplified and streamlined than earlier buildings of the Victoria era. This is reflected in other nearby buildings of the same age, such as Old Scona Academic High School
.
The Old Strathcona Branch is also, physically, the closest full branch of Edmonton Public Library to the University of Alberta
(though fast LRT connection to the downtown central Stanley A. Milner Library and the small eplGO Branch within the University's Cameron Library somewhat limit its use by students).
Edmonton Public Library
The Edmonton Public Library is a publicly funded library in the city of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, available for use by any member of the public. Children are eligible for free library cards, while adults pay an annual fee . University of Alberta students can receive free access using the L-Pass...
system, and one of the oldest libraries in 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...
. It is located on 104th Street, a block off of Whyte Avenue in the heart of Old Strathcona
Old Strathcona
Old Strathcona is an historic district located in south-central Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Once the commercial core of the separate city of Strathcona, the area is now Edmonton's main arts and entertainment district, and in 2007 was named Alberta's second "Provincial Historic Area"...
. Situated next to Wilbert McIntyre
Wilbert McIntyre
Wilbert McIntyre was a politician and medical doctor from Alberta, Canada.Born in Rosedale, Ontario, Wilbert was elected to the Canadian House of Commons in a 1906 by-election in the Strathcona electoral district by-election on April 5, 1906...
Park, the iconic Old Strathcona Gazebo, and the year-round Old Strathcona Farmer's Market, the Old Strathcona Branch is often a central gathering area for much of the local community. During the annual Edmonton International Fringe Festival
Edmonton International Fringe Festival
The Edmonton International Fringe Festival produced by the Fringe Theatre Adventures is an annual event held every August in Edmonton, Alberta in Canada....
in the surrounding area, the Old Strathcona Branch often hosts a large booksale to help shift aging and excess material from Edmonton Public Library's
Edmonton Public Library
The Edmonton Public Library is a publicly funded library in the city of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, available for use by any member of the public. Children are eligible for free library cards, while adults pay an annual fee . University of Alberta students can receive free access using the L-Pass...
circulation.
History
In 1897, the Strathcona Library Society was formed, with the idea to build a public library in the young city of StrathconaStrathcona, Alberta
Strathcona was a city in Alberta, Canada, located on the south of the North Saskatchewan River opposite of the City of Edmonton. It amalgamated with Edmonton on February 1, 1912....
. In 1910, a petition from citizens was eventually presented to the city council, officially requesting the construction of the library. The city quickly bought up the land for $6,250 from a local farmer, and organized the Strathcona Library Board. The American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American industrialist, businessman, and entrepreneur who led the enormous expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century...
eventually offered the city $15,000 to build a small, standardized library. However, the board did not feel this would provide the library they were hoping to build, and they declined Carnegie's offer. Costs for the new library were eventually paid for as part of the agreement when Strathcona and Edmonton amalgamated in 1912.
Construction began in 1912, and the new library was opened on March 13, 1913 by ex-Strathcona Mayor John Joseph Duggan and Edmonton Mayor William Short. Final cost of the library was approximately $27,000. The library was popular upon opening, and boasted an impressive circulation for the size of Edmonton at the time. The first minor renovation was completed in 1948, which converted the original men's-only reading room in the basement into a children's library.
The post-WWII years, however, saw a sharp decline in usage as Edmonton rapidly expanded outward in the post-war boom, and Old Strathcona
Old Strathcona
Old Strathcona is an historic district located in south-central Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Once the commercial core of the separate city of Strathcona, the area is now Edmonton's main arts and entertainment district, and in 2007 was named Alberta's second "Provincial Historic Area"...
began to fall into disrepair and decline. The completion of the much larger and more modern Stanley A. Milner central library
Stanley A. Milner Library
The Stanley A. Milner Library is the main library for Edmonton Public Library. It is located on the southern side of Sir Winston Churchill Square in downtown Edmonton, near City Hall, Edmonton City Centre mall, the Francis Winspear Centre for Music, and the Citadel Theatre. As a central location in...
downtown in 1967 further perpetuated this decline. By the late 1960s, the aging and poorly maintained building began to require significant upkeep costs. The director of Edmonton Public Library attempted to close the branch in 1970. Although the closure was defeated by public opposition, the structural decline of the building meant the second floor could no longer support the weight of books, and the branch's collection and hours of operation were severely cut.
The early 1970s, however, saw a resurgence of support for the Old Strathcona Branch. Proposed south-side to downtown freeways threatened to destroy the remaining historic elements of Old Strathcona around Whyte Avenue. This led to a new interest in historic preservation and restoration, and the rebirth of Old Strathcona as a trendy arts and nightlife district. This resurgence brought great support for the library, and in 1976 the building was declared a Registered Historic Resource of Alberta by the provincial Minister of Culture. From 1984 to 1985 the library received a $250,000 restoration, undertaken by R.R. Roberts Architects, and paid for by the sale of the original downtown library building in the late 1960s when it was demolished to build the Alberta Government Telephones
Alberta Government Telephones
Alberta Government Telephones was formed by the Liberal government of Alexander Cameron Rutherford in 1906 following the acquisitions by the government of several independent telephone companies...
Tower (today Telus Plaza
Telus Plaza
TELUS Plaza is an office complex in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada that was completed in 1972 . The twin buildings are TELUS Plaza North and TELUS House...
).
Since the mid 1980s, the branch has again become one of Edmonton Public Library's busiest, and is often seen as a community focal point for Old Strathcona. In 2004, the City of Edmonton named the building a Municipal Historic Resource, and from 2005 to 2006 the library was closed for another extensive restoration and expansion. This expansion added a large semi-circular addition, modern facilities to provide handicap accessibility, modern and efficient mechanical systems, and nearly doubled the library's original size. The renovation, however, was careful to maintain the building's original historical elements.
Architecture
The original building was designed by the firm of Arthur G. Wilson and David E. Herrald. Although a local duo, their design borrowed heavily from their British roots. It is a simplified English Renaissance Revival Style, common for commonwealthCommonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
buildings of the Edwardian age. Although grand in appearance, with ionic columns and limestone cornices on the exterior and intricate carved wood on the interior, the design is far more simplified and streamlined than earlier buildings of the Victoria era. This is reflected in other nearby buildings of the same age, such as Old Scona Academic High School
Old Scona Academic High School
Old Scona Academic High School, often referred to as Old Scona or OSA, is a high school located in the Old Strathcona district of Edmonton, Alberta. It is a small academic high school with a population of approximately 340 to 360 students...
.
School's served
As part of Edmonton Public Library's regional division, the Old Strathcona branch serves the following nearby schools:- Academy at King Edward
- Belgravia Elementary School
- École Joseph-Moreau
- Garneau Elementary School
- J.H. Picard Elementary/Junior/High SchoolÉcole J. H. Picard SchoolÉcole J.H. Picard School is an elementary/junior/senior high school located on 99th street in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It is well known for being the only Catholic school in Western Canada that provides complete French Immersion education from kindergarten to grade 12. It was established in 1972,...
- King Edward Elementary School
- McKernan Elementary/Junior High School
- Mill Creek Elementary School
- Old Scona Academic High SchoolOld Scona Academic High SchoolOld Scona Academic High School, often referred to as Old Scona or OSA, is a high school located in the Old Strathcona district of Edmonton, Alberta. It is a small academic high school with a population of approximately 340 to 360 students...
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel
- Queen Alexandra Elementary School
- Strathcona Composite High SchoolStrathcona Composite High SchoolStrathcona Composite High School, or Scona as students and staff refer to it, is a public high school located in Edmonton, Alberta. The school was constructed to hold 1200 students, but there are currently just under 1500 students attending the school...
- Windsor Park Elementary School
The Old Strathcona Branch is also, physically, the closest full branch of Edmonton Public Library to the University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
(though fast LRT connection to the downtown central Stanley A. Milner Library and the small eplGO Branch within the University's Cameron Library somewhat limit its use by students).