Saint John Free Public Library

Last updated
Saint John Free Public Library
TypePublic Library in Saint John
Established1883
Branches3
Collection
Items collectedbusiness directories, phone books, maps, government publications, books, periodicals, genealogy, local history,
Other information
Website Saint John Free Public Library

The Saint John Free Public Library incorporated in 1883, was the first tax-supported public library in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, hence the inclusion of "Free" in the title.

Contents

The Saint John Free Public Library consists of three branches, the central branch in the Market Square complex, East Branch in the Saint John Transit Building, and West Branch in Lancaster Mall. All of these libraries are under the Fundy Library Region, which is headquartered in Market Square.

Services

History

St. John Mechanics' Institute was one of a series of Mechanic's Institutes that were set up around the world after being popularized in Britain. It housed a subscription library that allowed members who paid a fee to borrow books. The Mechanic's Institutes libraries eventually became public libraries after the establishment of free libraries. [1]

1811: New Brunswick's very first library opened in Saint John in 1811 operated on a subscription basis with a fee being charged for the use of the collections.

1874: Plans for a free public library in Saint John were initiated by the President of the Mechanics’ Institute.

1877: Great Saint John Fire delayed plans for library.

1879: Colonel James Domville, member of council was actively involved in the procurement of a book collection for the use of the public library and to replace the collection destroyed by the fire.

1883: First tax supported public library in Canada, the Saint John Free Public Library opened in the City Market on Charlotte Street.

1885: The library moved to the Masonic Temple building on Germain Street where it remained for 19 years.

1904: Thanks to a $50,000 donation from the American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, a new library building opened on Hazen Avenue.

1912: The card catalogue first started being used.

1915: Story hours for children were inaugurated.

1967: West Branch opened in Lancaster Mall.

1968: East Branch opened in the Loch Lomond Mall.

1975: East Branch relocated to Westmorland Place.

1983: The library moved into new quarters in the Market Square harbour front complex.

1998: Automated circulation services was introduced.

2000: The Millennium Artplace was opened in the library lobby.

Collections

Exterior view of the library SJFPL1.jpg
Exterior view of the library
The Special Collections Room SJFPL RA3.JPG
The Special Collections Room

Library Branches

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References

  1. Harris, Michael. History Of Libraries In The Western World. 4th ed. Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow Press, 1995, p. 153.

Sources