Strathcona Library

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Strathcona Library
EPL Logo.svg
Strathcona Public Library Edmonton Alberta Canada 01.jpg
Strathcona Library
53°31′12″N113°29′51″W / 53.5199°N 113.4976°W / 53.5199; -113.4976
Location8331 104 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
T6E 4E9
Established1913
Service area Old Strathcona
Branch of Edmonton Public Library
Other information
Public transit access Edmonton Transit System logo.svg Bus-logo.svg  701 
Website https://www.epl.ca/locations/EPLSTR/

The Strathcona Library, one of the oldest libraries in Alberta, completed in 1913, was the first library erected in the City of Edmonton. [1] Nevertheless, the Strathcona Library does have a complex background as to its historical status within the Edmonton Public Library system. [2] 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 Strathcona Library is often a central gathering area for much of the local community. During the annual Edmonton International Fringe Festival in the surrounding area, the Strathcona Library often hosts a large booksale to help shift aging and excess material from Edmonton Public Library's circulation.

Contents

History

The American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie had his offer rejected by the library's board Andrew Carnegie, three-quarter length portrait, seated, facing slightly left, 1913-crop.jpg
The American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie had his offer rejected by the library's board

In 1897, the Strathcona Library Society was formed, with the idea to build a public library in the young city of Strathcona. 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. [3]

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. [3]

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 Strathcona Library. 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. [4] 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 towers (today ATB Place). [3]

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. [5] The Strathcona Library as well as the overall Edmonton Public Library system of branches is celebrating a milestone of 100 years in 2013. [6] www.epl.ca/100 The library system now has 3 million physical and digital items in its vast collection as well as 12,000 free events each year. [7]

Architecture

The original building was designed by the firm of Arthur G. Wilson and David E. Herrald. [3] Although a local duo, their design borrowed heavily from their British roots. It is a simplified English Renaissance Revival Style, common for commonwealth 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.

Schools served

As part of Edmonton Public Library's regional division, the Strathcona Library serves the following nearby schools: [8]

The Strathcona Library is also, physically, the closest branch of Edmonton Public Library to the University of Alberta (though a fast, direct LRT connection from the university to the downtown central Stanley A. Milner Library somewhat limits its use by students).

Related Research Articles

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Strathcona is a 19th-century variation of "Glen Coe", a river valley in Scotland. The word was invented for use in the title Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal, first used for Donald Smith, a Canadian railway financier, in order to avoid association with the Massacre of Glencoe of 1692.

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Old Scona Academic School, often referred to as Old Scona or OSA, is a high school in the Old Strathcona district of Edmonton, Alberta. It is a small academic high school with a population of approximately 340 to 360 students. The school's stated purpose is to provide academically inclined students an opportunity to grow in an environment of intellectual stimulation, and is recognized as one of the top academic high schools in Canada. The school's motto is, "Ever to Excel".

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Strathcona is a residential neighbourhood in south central Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It is a part of, and should not be confused with, Old Strathcona, although much of the Strathcona neighbourhood is in Old Strathcona. The neighbourhood overlooks both the North Saskatchewan River and the Mill Creek Ravine.

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Ritchie is a residential neighbourhood in south east Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It is named for Robert Ritchie, the original owner of the Ritchie Mill and former mayor of the City of Strathcona. The population of Ritchie enjoy good access to the nightlife of nearby Old Strathcona and the Mill Creek Ravine.

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Queen Alexandra is a mixed residential and commercial neighbourhood in south west Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The neighbourhood, once part of the City of Strathcona, is named for Alexandra of Denmark. The north edge of the neighbourhood, along Whyte Avenue is part of Old Strathcona, a popular commercial and cultural area of Edmonton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strathcona Public Building</span> Former: Post office, Current: Restaurant/pub/pool hall in Edmonton, Alberta

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stanley A. Milner Library</span> Public library in Edmonton, Alberta

The Stanley A. Milner Library is the flagship branch of the Edmonton Public Library. It is located on the southern side of Sir Winston Churchill Square in the downtown core of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The main library is near walking distance to the City Hall, the Edmonton City Centre mall, the Francis Winspear Centre for Music, and the Citadel Theatre. In January 2017, the library closed its doors for a major renovation, as all but the basic structure was removed to be rebuilt with an architectural design similar to that of the Art Gallery of Alberta located a few blocks away. Its services were relocated to a temporary space on Jasper Avenue in Enterprise Square. The new Stanley A. Milner Library, along with the new Shelley Milner Children's Library opened on September 17, 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Princess Theatre (Edmonton)</span> Cinema in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

The Princess Theatre is a two-screen art-house cinema located at 10337 Whyte Avenue in Edmonton's historic Old Strathcona neighbourhood. The building was designed by prominent Edmonton architects Wilson and Herrald, a firm responsible for the design of many other Edmonton heritage sites. It became Edmonton's oldest surviving theatre after the demolition of the Gem Theatre in 2006. The building currently houses the main 400-seat theatre as well as the 100-seat Princess II, located in the basement.

References

  1. ↑ Babiak, Todd (2013). Just Getting Started: Edmonton Public Library's First 100 years, 1913-2013. The University of Alberta Press and The Edmonton Public Library. pp. 17–23.
  2. ↑ First annual report of the Edmonton Public Library and Strathcona Public Library. Edmonton. 1913. ASIN   1528043901.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. 1 2 3 4 Herzog, Lawrence (21 October 2010). "Strathcona Public Library". Real Estate Weekly. 28 (42). Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
  4. ↑ "Alberta Register of Historic Places". Heritage Resources Management Information System. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
  5. ↑ "Strathcona – 1913". Edmonton Public Library. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
  6. ↑ Edmonton Public Library 100 years.
  7. ↑ Edmonton public Library
  8. ↑ "Strathcona Branch". Edmonton Public Library. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
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