On March 20th, 1944, a public meeting was held to discuss the possibility of establishing a public library at Bonavista. The first Library was officially opened on March 17, 1945.
It was housed in a portion of the Surgery of Dr. C. A. Forbes, who donated
the space, heat and rent free for two years. This building still exists back of the Anglican Church,
across from the SUF Hall. See photo below.
In 1949 the Library was moved to another building where the rent was $7.00 per month. On December 16, 1951, the present building was officially opened. Since then a furnace was installed in 1966, new fluorescent lighting in 1972 and in 1984 the building was rewired. The Library was renovated in 1982 and new windows were installed, the walls gyprocked, the floors done and the ceiling insulated.
INTERESTING STATISTICS
Bank Balance (1949-50) ..... $3.31
First Book Stock .... Encyclopedia Britannica (40th Edition) + 450 books
Circulation (1945 to 1948) .... 40,000 books
Library Collection (1984-85) ... 9526 Books, 28 Periodicals, 42 Tapes
(1999-2000) ... 14,135 Books, Computer Usage 5238
Library Registration (1984-85) .. 348 Adults, 167 Children
(1999-2000) ..677 Adults, 349 Juvenile
Library Hours: 8 hours a week - open 2 days. (from 1945 - )
25 hours a week (Present Hours of operation)
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
The first Librarian was Mr. R.J. Miles, who served for 24 years. His salary was set at $120.00 a year. Later this was changed to $20.00 per month and in 1949 raised to $25.00. Mrs. Beulah Linthorne succeeded Mr. Miles and served for less than 2 years. Mrs. Frances Sweetland, took over in October 1972 and served for 24 years until her retirement in April, 1996. The present Librarian is Brenda Wilton. The first Chairman of the Library Board was Dr. C.A. Forbes. Mr. John Snow retired from the position of Chairman of the Local Library Board in 1999 after serving in that office for many years. The present chairperson is Rae Cuff.
Thanks to Mrs. Frances Sweetland for providing me with the above information.
