Operating hours of the Holland Court library

"Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library is on the move! Saturday, April 30, 2011 will be the last day we are open to the public. Doors will be closed at our current location as of Monday, May 2, 2011. Due dates on all materials will be extended and no fines will be applied during the closure. Doors will be open to the public at our new location, 425 Holland St. West, on Tuesday, May 24, 2011. All items are to be returned to our new location. As sad as we are to leave our current location we are excited about all the opportunities to come. We welcome you to join us for our Grand Opening Events happening throughout the month of June. Watch for more details."

A newspaper article about the opening of the new Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library 425 Holland Street W.

"The new Bradford West Gwillimbury public library building opened Tuesday. It features four times more space than the old facility, with youth-oriented material on the main floor and adult-interest material on the second floor...A grand opening for the general public will take place June 3 from 5 to 9 p.m...."

Description : Pub. Library Officially Opened by Director of Library Services

An inspiring address by Mr. Angus Mowat, Provincial Director of Library Services for Ontario, was the highlight of the official opening of Bradford Public Library last evening.

Mr. Mowat complimented the Library Board, Council and librarian upon the very attractive library which they have created from a room which looked impossible and from materials almost equally in disrepair. The Bradford Public Library is the successful product of local effort and of local leadership, Mr. Mowat stated, adding that this effort has created a charming little library.

During his address Mr. Mowat's reference to the library was as a book service for the people, and he reminded that when books desired are not available in the small home library they can usually be borrowed from the county library. A provincial library for this purpose is a hope for the future.

In reference to Provincial library grants Mr. Mowat informed that in 1945 such grants total $50,000 and this year they total $865,000. Bradford's grant this year will cover 65% of the municipality's expense for the library.

At the close of his address, on behalf of the Ontario Minister of Education, Mr. Mowat declared Bradford Public Library officially opened.

The guests at the meeting were welcomed by Reeve Arthur Evans.

Chairman of the Library Board, Mr. Cecil Brittain, briefly reviewed the conditions leading to the establishing of the library and the services rendered by members of Board, naming particularly the work of the secretary-treasurer, Mr. Dan Blake, and the building committee members, Messrs. Glenn Boyd and F.C. Cook; The Council, particularly the chairman of the town hall committee, Mr. H. Taylor; the librarian, Miss B. Webb; and Mr. Mowat.

Mr. Brittain urged that residents avail themselves of the opportunity to make use of the library which is free to all residing within the municipality of Bradford. To those outside this municipality the charge is one dollar for a library card.

Mr. Mowat was introduced by Mr. Glenn Boyd, who referred to Mr. Mowat's service in two wars as well as his valuable help as director of public libraries. Mr. F.C. Cook, the other member of the building committee, expressed the appreciation for Mr. Mowat's address as well as his wonderful assistance in preparing the library. The history of Ontario Libraries and of Mr. Angus Mowat are one, Mr. Cook declared.

Rev. F.G. MacTavish and Rev. W.S. Johnson added congratulatory words.

Following the singing of the National Anthem refreshments were served by the ladies of Bradford Women's Institute.

Photograph of the ribbon cutting for the opening of Bradford Public Library on Holland Court, the location prior to the current library on Holland Street.
In doorway, left to right: William DePeuter (Mayor), Hon. Charles T.S. Evans (Chairman of Fundraising), Adrienne Price (Librarian)

Official opening event for the new Bradford Public Library on November 6, 1988. Sandy Hudson is standing beside Charlie (C.T.S.) Evans, Patty Truchley is also in the photo.

Official opening event for the new Bradford Public Library on November 6, 1988.

Seated against the wall (L-R): Ada Watson (Women's Institute), Brenda Fuss (Bradford Progress Club), Lawrence Sturdy (President of the Bradford Lions Club), Padre Ormond Hopkins (Bradford Trinity Anglican Church), Bruce Owen (MPP Simcoe Centre), Valerie Ridgeway (Ministry of Culture & Communications), William De Peuter (Mayor of Bradford), Adrienne Price (Bradford Library Librarian)

Mayor William de Peuter speaking at the official opening event for the new Bradford Public Library on November 6, 1988.

Official opening event for the new Bradford Public Library on November 6, 1988. Brenda Fuss and Anne Wagg hold a cheque that was presented to the library. Eleanor Sherbo is looking on.

Official opening event for the new Bradford Public Library on November 6, 1988. Pauline Holancin, Eleanor Sherbo and Ada Watson standing with a piece of Holancin's art. This piece was presented by the Bradford Women's Institute to the new Bradford Public Library at the time of the opening of the library's Holland Court location.