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 a office in the Bradford Public Library.

"Take Notice that a special meeting of the Bradford Library Association will be held on Monday, October 19, 1953 at 8:30 p.m., in the Town Hall, for the purpose of considering and, if approved by the meeting, passing a resolution declaring its desire that the Library of the Association be transferred to a Public Library Board appointed in the manner provided by the Public Libraries' Act. All interested are urged to attend. - The Library Board."

"Due to technicalities which prevented certain personnel of the Bradford Public Library Board as originally constituted being members of the board while holding office as members of other local public boards, several names had to be omitted from the board first named come time ago and new ones appointed..."

"A first report has been made by the consultants hired to conduct a feasibility study for a new library.
Roger Jones and George Schlukbier of Fox, Jones and Associates presented their first report to council, and the library board, along with some members of committees involved in planning for the new library.
Librarian Adrienne Price said the report outlined possible interior design, and land use.
Two parcels of town land on Holland Court have been chosen as the library site. The building will tentatively be built to the north of the west lot, with parking to the south.
A final draft of the library feasibility study will be presented at a public meeting tentatively set for Wednesday, August 27."

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.

"The Board of the Simcoe County Library Co-operative held its first meeting on Friday, March 19.
The librarian's report showed that the circulation of County Library books during 1947 totalled 56,944, almost 2,000 more than was estimated in the report to the January session of County Council, and an increase of 24,139 over the previous years. Although most of this increase came from the growth of the service to the schools, 559 more non-fiction books were read in the libraries, and 362 more children's books. 148 schools are being served, as well as 20 libraries and 10 deposit stations."

"Professor W.M. Drummond and Professor Norman High, of the Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph, were guest speakers at the general meeting of the Simcoe County Library Co-Operative, held in Barrie on October 7th. Stressing the fact that reading brings inspiration, information, and a broadening of our appreciation of life, as well as, in some cases, more economic security, the speakers discussed the particular importance of reading in a democracy." ...

"The new Act respecting the regulations of Public Libraries calls for a meeting on the second Monday in January for the election of a Board of Directors. Accordingly a meeting of the members of the Bradford Public Library was recently held in Mr. T.W.W. Evans' office." ...