I discovered a beautiful thing today.
A library in a town I’ve been to three thousand times. I don’t know how
I ever missed it other than to say I was likely distracted by the bakery.
It’s in a house built in 1882 for $450. Originally owned by the Waddell family, local furniture magnates. They also owned a hotel in town and had some doings with a cheese factory. Big money in cheese.
No official library in those days but there was a makeshift sort of lending service using 34 books the townsfolk gathered up and kept in various shop basements where, on various days, you could take out the latest best seller.
One of the Waddell children, a lad, tried to start a flax business. I like his style. Sorry it didn’t work out.
And, this is interesting… the Waddell daughter, in 1903, became the first Canadian woman to join the American Mathematics Association, which included women from not only the U.S. but the U.K., Canada and Europe.
In 1969, the house was purchased by the Township Library Board and voila, presto bongo, the library opened in 1970, looking very much like a house with many books.
I love how they’ve kept it authentic in feel. The ceilings are high. The floors are original.
And it’s so, so, so… quiet. Which is something I miss in libraries. (Whatever happened to stern women with buns shushing everyone??)
I’m told there was talk some years ago of closing it down because it doesn’t meet somebody’s idea of “adequate usage” or whatever, and the town went ape shit and, long story short, the adequate usage people decided to keep it open.
Going ape shit for a good cause is not to be under-rated.
And because this gorgeous bit of brick and mortar history—and the slice of sanity it provides—isn’t enough on its own… you’ll be happy to know it happens to sit on an acre or so of treed land with oodles of parking and a large gazebo that begs to be read on.
As in aloud.
As in what a great space for a literary event.
The Juan du Fuca Literary Event we could call it.
An ocean of flax would be our logo.
And something with cheese.
Matilda Magtree 
This place looks incredible, Carin! I think I’m in love. :) Thank you for sharing it!
Oh no. I didn’t mean to share it!! It’s mine. All mine…d’ya hear? (:
This is my first blog from Matilda/Carin and what a writer! I’m hooked already. Thank you for your wonderful voice and your piece on the library. Every writer should have a sanctuary like that one! Diana
Agreed, Diana. A sanctuary is no small potatoes. And thank you for the compliments…
What a heart-warming way to start the morning–thank you!
If even one heart is warmed in the making of a post, my work this day is done. (:
What a beautiful library! I think we should do that with all the old houses that no one wants. Except for me – I want them all…
Old churches, old all-manner-of-buildings, yes! And if not turned into libraries, then something else. I was really quite stunned at how much it felt like a house inside. And I suppose they could have knocked down walls to maximize space, etc., but some clever clogs realized what they’d lose in doing so wouldn’t be worth the trade off. Boggles the mind when you think how many gorgeous old houses are torn down to build charmless McMansions.
Oh, I love the old churches that have been turned into houses. Maybe someday…
Oh, I can feel the energy of the place as I sit in my wee office in Oshawa. Marvelous, Carin. As always, you bring us along for the view and the vibe. I’ll make a point of stopping in and breathing the flaxen air wafting across an ocean of words.
Oh great. So now it’s going to be crowded?? (;