The Harriston Carnegie Library has been a focal point in this community for more than 100 years and with the re-opening of the newly-renovated library, users and residents can expect it will be around for another 100 years.
The library was officially re-opened on June 28 with considerable pomp and circumstance befitting a structure of its prominence and significance to the community.
“We are making history today, so it’s a good day,” local county councillor and chair of the county library board Mark MacKenzie told more than 200 people attending the ceremony.
MacKenzie said the Harriston library has become a busy community facility and resource centre, with 4,000 users monthly.
The library, with its $3.2-million facelift, is also home to the Minto Arts Council and Harriston Historical Society, which together take up the third floor of the downtown building.
“Besides being a library, it’s our historical and cultural centre,” MacKenzie added.
County chief librarian Murray McCabe said in an interview with the Advertiser the renovation of the Harriston library has been noted by the American Library Association for the work done. He also noted the county and its 14 libraries has been recognized for renovations being done to the Carnegie libraries it operates.
“There’s no other library system that had the plans we had,” he said of county plans to refurbish its libraries.
Considerable money has been put into the Carnegie renovations. The Harriston library renovation is pegged at $3.2 million, while Mount Forest came in at slightly more than $1.6 million and Elora at $1.2 million. Fergus renovations are expected to cost $5 million and Palmerston about $2 million. A new library was also constructed in Arthur at a cost of about $2 million.
The Harriston library work also incorporated or refurbished original features of the building. Tin ceilings, stained glass windows, original book shelves, study tables and chairs were part of the restoration work.
The library employs five people and operates Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10am to 8pm, Wednesday from 1 to 8pm, Friday from 10am to 6pm and Saturday from 10am to 3pm.
An integral part of the renovation work at all Carnegie buildings, said McCabe, was to make them fully accessible to all residents. In Harriston the work includes an elevator and green features such as lights that turn off when a room is vacated.
At the re-opening, county Warden Chris White said the project was also bolstered through cooperation between the county and Town of Minto.
“One of the positive things has been the partnership,” White said.
Minto Mayor George Bridge acknowledged the time between the initial library construction in 1908 until 2012 is significant. The mayor said broad-based community support has made the venture possible.
“The town is excited about making it a cultural hub,” the mayor said of the library.
Artist Wesley Bates, president of the Minto Arts Council, also acknowledged the support of town council for the group’s cultural endeavours, as well as the county for inviting his organization to lease part of the library and make it a home base.
“It’s an oasis of culture in our community,” Bates told the crowd.
Exhibits at the arts council third-floor home this year are part of 15 years of exhibits put on by the group.
It was a similar message given by Dr. Carol Homuth, president of the Harriston Historical Society that will share space with the arts council on the third floor immediately outside the elevator exit.
According to a library News release, the Harriston work has been submitted for an Ontario Library Association award.
See photo on page 30.
