Cornish Library celebrates 100 years

Released: June 15, 2015 at 10:50 a.m.

Winnipeg, MB - Winnipeg Public Library's two oldest branches, St. John's Library (500 Salter Street) and Cornish Library (20 West Gate), celebrate 100 years of serving their communities this month. Cornish Library marked this milestone with a Centenary Celebration today.

�I'm excited to celebrate a milestone 100 years of excellent library services at Cornish Library,� said Mayor Brian Bowman. �Through the 2015-2020 Libraries Strategic Plan, libraries like Cornish will get the improvements they need to foster a love of reading and to offer important literacy programs in the future.�

Cornish Library will be part of widespread improvements to libraries throughout the next five years. As part of the community consultation for the Library's new Strategic Plan, over 5,200 Winnipeggers provided input to help shape the future of Winnipeg Public Library through online surveys including French and accessible versions, �Ideas Fairs� public events, and engagement activities in the community. Input was received on collections, programs, space and service delivery, and the community and social role of the Library.

�Reaching 100 years of service to the community is a major accomplishment,� said Rick Walker, Manager of Library Services. �We look forward to an exciting future and will work to ensure the priorities of Winnipeggers will be reflected in upgrades to libraries like Cornish.�

This 2015-2020 Strategic Plan will ensure the library remains a vibrant, responsive and innovative service provider for Winnipeggers for years to come. Upgrades to the Cornish Library under this Strategic Plan to meet the goal of accessibility will include meeting room enhancements, new shelving, and adding more study and leisure reading spaces.

100th Anniversary Celebrations
Celebrations at Cornish Library include:

  • Family performances (magician, barbershop quartet)
  • Activities for children from a century ago, including paper crafts
  • Croquet on the front lawn (weather permitting)
  • Display of preliminary architectural plans for the renewal of both libraries
  • Historic displays and refreshments

History
Cornish Library opened June 15, 1915.

Both St. John's and Cornish Libraries were built with the help of grants from Andrew Carnegie to encourage free access to education and information for all. Carnegie provided grants to build 2,509 public libraries in North America, including the first three public libraries in Winnipeg.

To reach the milestone of 100 years of service as a library is notable. Of the 125 Carnegie-funded libraries built in Canada, only 14 were built outside of Ontario. Of those 14, three are still functioning as libraries (two of those being the St. John's and Cornish branches). The third is in Calgary.

Decades of learning, community engagement and leisure have provided a storied past for both libraries. For example, suffragist Nellie McClung gave lectures in the basement auditorium at Cornish Library. Both libraries have nurtured local authors and inspired readers for their communities - and continue to be open and free to all.

About the Library
Together, Cornish Library and St. John's Library loan over 150,000 items, provide over 175 free programs, have almost 16,000 computer bookings, and answer over 6,600 questions every year. Free WiFi and study and reading spaces are well-used by all ages. Access to an extensive eLibrary of streaming movies, eBooks, eMagazines and learning resources continue to grow in demand and use.

To learn more about Winnipeg Public Library, please visit Winnipeg.ca/library.

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