Birdie Webb on her last day working at the Bradford Public Library.

"A surprising number of people living in and around the Bradford area don't even know the town boasts a flourishing public library. Tell them that it's situated right across from the IGA and they'll be even more astonished. But, with a membership of better than 1,150 and still climbing, reading is obviously a popular activity in Bradford, and for that, book-lovers and those who only use library facilities now and again, can thank Library Administrator Gertrude Melbourne, assistant Amanda Kneeshaw and library secretary Susan Klop, all of Bradford."

Photograph from a staff barbecue at Anita Sikma's house in 2003.

From Left: Sarah Edwards, Heidi Northover, Bill Vaxevanis, Mike Caley, Liz Fenwick

Photograph from a staff barbecue at Anita Sikma's house in 2003.

From Left: Joe Sikma, Glenn Traviss, Bernice Felton, Mike Wirenga, Anita Donald, Katrina Flack

Photograph from a staff barbecue at Anita Sikma's house in 2003. Includes: Adrienne Price, Heidi (Chard) Northover, Bernice Felton, Anita Sikma.

A 1981-83 record of books at the Bradford Public Library. Presumably a record of acquisitions during the time period.

A 1981-83 record of books at the Bradford Public Library. Presumably a record of acquisitions during the time period.

"Bradford library is being whipped into shape. There is a new head librarian with new ideas. Ann Marie Newman started part-time in February and last week she began full time. Anne Marie is from Halifax, Nova Scotia, and she studied sociology at Dalhousie University. After graduation, Ann Marie was taken on staff of the University library. For two and a half years, she catalogued books in the Special Collection department. "I worked with all facets of technical library skills," explained Ann Marie. Dan Blake of Bradford's Library Board interviewed her and in February Ann Marie became head librarian."

The manual checkout at the Bradford W.G. Public Library. Photo taken just prior to computerization.