"For a librarian who intended to never be one, Gertrude Melbourne does a pretty fine job keeping the bustling Bradford Public Library on an even keel. An avid reader, Mrs. Melbourne is charged with selecting all the books that are stocked in the 6000 book library located on John St. ..."
Article of a brief history of the Bradford Library, written by its librarian, Adrienne Price. Scanned from a donation of the Bradford Today supplement to the Bradford Witness.
Photograph of Ethel Day, wife of Professor W.H. Day and librarian of Bradford Public Library from 1936 - 1953. She was also the mother of Ida Day Smith, former librarian, whom she took over from in 1936. Mrs. Day was the sole librarian and worked originally a room on the second floor of T.W.W. Evans law office at 21 Holland St. West, then in the late 1940s, moved to a room above the fire hall on Barrie Street. She hand-wrote all records, and was librarian until her death on November 23, 1953.
Photograph of Ida Day Smith, daughter of Professor W.H. Day and librarian of Bradford Public Library in 1936. She was also the daughter of Ethel Day, who took over the librarianship in 1936. Ida Day was the sole librarian after Mary Brown, and worked in a second floor room of T.W.W. Evans' law office. Once she married Raymond Smith in October of 1936, the couple moved away and Ida's mother, Ethel, took over the librarianship duties.
"Mayor Joe Magani presided for the brief program at the social evening given in Bradford Public Library on Tuesday, April 11, called to honour Miss Birdie Webb, who is retiring after twelve years as librarian. On behalf of the Library Board and the town, Mr. R. Colangelo presented Miss Webb with a wrist watch, in appreciation of her fine service. Miss Webb expressed her thanks for this tribute. Simcoe County library was represented by Mrs. Cadogan of Barrie. Mrs. William Melbourne will carry on the duties of librarian here."
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)
