Paris Public Library Building Opened in 1904

Free library service has been a feature of Paris life since 1904, the year in which the present library building was erected Making the building possible was a $10,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie, the father of free library service in North America. Before the year of 1904, town library service was provided by the Paris Mechanic’s Institute, which in the beginning had been known as the Mutual Institute, but fees were charged for book borrowing During the first 75 years of library service development was hindered by public apathy and lack of money. The Mutual Institute came into being on April 22, 1841, when Hiram Capron and 24 other men attended an organization meeting for having lectures, scientific experiments, and a circulating library. Capron was elected president, Thomas Allchin secretary, Robert McCosh treasurer and James Murray librarian. A fiveshilling entrance fee was charged plus a monthly fee of two shillings. Meetings were held irregularly at the home of Mr. Finlayson (now 40 Dumfries St ) The back of James Murray’s store was the site of the first library During the first year the library was open each Saturday from 9 am to 8 pm By April 1842, 40 names were on the subscribers' list and 134 books were available for circulation. The Mutual Institute became the Mechanics' Institute on July 19, 1842, in order to receive a small grant from the government for this purpose. In 1856, directors of the institute rented for £37 a year rooms in a stone block building across the street from the fire hall in Upper Town to serve as a reading room Mr Patterson, owner of the building, agreed to be the librarian. This venture proved successful, and the annual report of 1857 disclosed there were 900 books and 16 periodicals available for circulation A new reading room was erected in 1858 on land purchased from Mr Capron for $150. The building is still standing at 7 Grand River St North and was the home of the institute for nearly half a century. The new room - was open six days a week from 9 am to 4 pm and from 7 pm to 10 pm. In 1858 J. Graham was appointed librarian at a salary of $50 a year. At night, the reading tables were lighted by large flickering candles. Members now paid a fee of 10 shillings a year in advance and the government provided a grant of $48. Frequently in those days the town's clergy were called upon to censor certain books and magazines suspected of containing passages that tended “to promote infidelity”. The clergy received tickets of honorary membership and were requested to occupy platform seats during lectures To raise funds for the new reading room, directors in 1858 rented the Old Town Hall on Church street and held a soiree. It was so successful that two other similar events were held. In 1860 the mortgage had been paid and membership had reached 125. The library had 1,000 volumes Samuel Reynett became librarian following the resignation of Mr Graham By 1875 the town's population had grown to 3,071 and the library’s book stock to 2000. Books were placed on sloping desks arranged along two walls and patrons had to stand while reading. The librarian’s desk was situated in the middle of the room and bookshelves were back behind a glass partition

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The building was wired in 1880 by William Thompson but an attempt to light it with electric bulbs failed because of trouble with a dynamo. A year or two later, however, old oil lamps were replaced by electric lights After 1892 the institute appeared to be less useful to the town and by 1900 few people were willing to pay the membership fee of $2 00 Income from those who became members was too small to pay the librarian's salary, purchase a sufficient number of good papers, magazines and books, and maintain the building. Fortunately, at this time however, Andrew Carnegie, prominent Pittsburgh steel man, had established a fund for building public libraries. As mentioned above, it was a grant from Carnegie that built the present library building at Broadway and William streets. In 1902 citizens of the town were asked to vote on a by-law accepting the terms under which the steel magnate would donate $10,000 for the erection and furnishing of a library. The vote was carried 224 to 11. Tenders were called and the new library building was built by Alexander Frank Wickson and opened on June 1, 1904. Members of the first Public Library Board were Mayor H. Stroud, who served as chairman; Dr W N Bell, Principal of the Paris High School; Paul Giovanni Wickson, prominent Canadian artist; James Smiley, county clerk; A H Baird, proprietor of the Paris Wincey Mills Ltd.; M. Ryan collector of customs and grain dealer, Rev. J. E. Crinnon, pastor of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, and Canon Alfred Brown rector of St. James’ Anglican Church.

Books were catalogued in 1907 as much confusion existed in the classification of non-fiction In 1907 Edward Reynett, who had succeeded his father, resigned and Miss Mayme Mylne was named to succeed him. In the same year, a reference room was added for $90.83. Miss Mabel Fasken succeeded Miss Mylne and in 1916, Alex Kirkpatrick was appointed librarian at $420 a year and served until he became ill of pneumonia in March 1940. H. J. Haire, then chairman of the Library Board volunteered to act as librarian during his absence but when Mr Kirkpatrick found he would be unable to resume his duties, Miss Marion McConkey was appointed. The library was remodeled in 1950 at a cost of $20,000 and officially re-opened during an “at home" held in September 1951 Angus Mowat director of library services for the Ontario Department of Education was guest speaker. In his address Mr. Mowat contended that the public library should be the cultural centre of the community The 50th anniversary of free library service was observed in October 1954 The guest speaker was Dr. C. E. Silcox, Toronto, well known Canadian author and clergyman. He traced the history of the Mechanics’ Institute, referred to the philanthropy of Andrew Carnegie, and told of his early days in Paris where his father was minister of the old Congregational Church. Colored slides made by Dr W N Bell, a member of the first library board were shown by Mrs D A Smith. Dr. Bell was a pioneer in colored photography The anniversary celebration also featured a reunion of early library subscribers The library underwent renovations in 1995, moving the main entrance to Broadway Street. After merging with surrounding areas in 1999, the Paris Public Library was renamed as the Paris Branch of the County of Brant Public Library. The Paris location now serves as the central branch of libraries in the County of Brant, which is a single-tier municipality.