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Site Record
Metadata
Site Name |
Southampton Public Library |
Site# |
314 |
Description |
While living on the B Line in Amabel Township, James Howe loaned out his personal books to those who took care of and returned them. After moving to Southampton, where he became town clerk, his book collection grew as did his financial means. In 1887, he erected the Southampton Mechanics' Institute building at 201 High Street Southampton (a building which houses the Southampton Art School in 2017 and fronts onto Albert Street). The library contained works of Biography, Fiction, History, Literature, Poetry, Religion, Science, Art, Voyages & Travel and Reference Material. People were encouraged "to improve yourself by other men's writings" by purchasing an annual membership fee for 50 cents. The library relied on government and municipal grants as well as membership fees to cover the operating costs. ¢. The library was open to members for over 50 years on Tuesday and Friday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. James Howe was Librarian, as well as acting as Secretary-Treasurer for the Board of Directors, until 1912 when he retired at the age of 94. In February 1912, he deeded the building and books within to the Southampton Public Library Association. The property had been free from debt since 1897 so no encumbrances were transferred to the town with the gift. George Tupling took over as Librarian for twenty years, until he retired in 1934 when George Watton took over. In 1939, Mrs. Ada May Watton took the reigns as Librarian after the death of her husband. In May 1943 the idea of the Bruce County Library movement was brought to the Southampton Library Association Board. The first books to be received through this new venture arrived in 1944. In 1945, a resolution was passed "that the Board desired to transfer this Association Library into a free Public Library, and to go to Council and ask them to take over the library." |
Latitude Degrees |
44 |
Longitude Degrees |
-81 |
Related Records
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A957.017.013-.024 - Catalogue of the Library of the Southampton Mechanics' Institute
Record Type: Archive
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A958.015.001 - Minutes of annual meetings and returns to education office: library stock catalogue
Record Type: Archive
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AX2011.121.002 - Bank of Hamilton bankbook in account with George Tupling, Treasurer
Record Type: Archive
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AX2011.121.004-.015 - Correspondence to and from Southampton Public Library Association
Record Type: Archive
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