Glencoe Historical Society
The Glencoe Library hit a milestone anniversary Wednesday as it turned 100 years old. Vanessa Rapanga, Acting Supervisor of the Glencoe and Melbourne Libraries, says the Library has been through a lot over the years.
The Library then moved to McKellar Street in 1993 and then further down McKellar Street in 2018.
A ‘Carnegie Library’ refers to Andrew Carnegie who was a 19th century multimillionaire. He had about $400 Million (about $6 Billion cdn in present day dollars according to inflationtool.com) he wanted to give away to support education. He offered a free library to any town that would provide the land. Glencoe was the last town to receive a Carnegie Library.
Rapagna is very thrilled to be included in the 100 year celebration of the Glencoe Library legacy.
There is currently a display in the Library of it through the years. The Glencoe Library holds a vast collection of books and reading material. They have books, large print books, cd audiobooks, magazines, ebooks and audiobooks. There is also a large amount of programming that goes on. On Friday mornings, there is story time and technology help. There is an after school program on Wednesdays. A monthly book club and a crafting club. There is also a ‘makerspaces’ with a cricut, 3D printer, computer with adobe software and a glowforge laser cutter and large format printer.
“We have a staff member who visits the local daycare and retirement home and brings a selection of books for people to check out. This service has been incredibly popular and well received.” says Rapagna.
The Library is located at 123 McKellar Street, Glencoe. It is open 10-4 on Mondays, 12-4 on Tuesdays, 10-8 Wednesdays, 10-8 Thursdays, 10-4 Fridays and 10-2 Saturdays.
The Glencoe Library is also now introducing a music studio for the public. It will have a electric piano, electric guitar, electric drum kit, studio microphone and an iMac with professional recording software. So whether you are an aspiring musician or wanting to start a podcast, the space will be open to book. Staff will be available Mondays from 1-2pm for walk-through.
The 100 year celebration of the Glencoe Library will be celebrated all month long.
There will be a photo gallery of the Library and old newspaper clippings. A time capsule will also be sealed and set to open in 100 years.
You can contact the library at 519-287-2735 or by emailing librarian@middlesex.ca
(Photo credit – Glencoe Agricultural Society)
written by: K. Close
