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Library
Information and History
Placentia
Public Library is operated and managed by the Provincial
Information and Library Resources
Board,
an independent board established by the Provincial Government
through the Public Libraries Act. While most Canadian public
libraries are part of municipal (or regional) government, in
Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Information and Library
Resource Board is responsible for providing public library
services through a network of 96 branches, divided into three
divisions, and the Provincial Resource Library (which includes
the St. John's City Libraries).
The
first Newfoundland Board was formed in 1935. From the very
beginning, this board has been responsible for public library
services throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Placentia has
been part of the Public Library system since1944.
All
library staff are employees of the Provincial Board with the
local library staff reporting to a Division Manager. Placentia
Public Library has its own local library board which is
accountable to the Provincial Board. The local board has the
opportunity to advise and assist the Provincial Board.
Placentia
Public Library Board, comprised of seven members, is mandated to
have at least four meetings every year. Placentia Public Library
Board is active in promoting the public library in the
community; making representations to the town council and other
community groups to build support for the public library; and
raising funds locally to extend hours of service or to acquire
additional library materials. The library board is involved with
special projects, such as offered by the Community Access
Program.
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Placentia’s
first public library dates back to 1944 when a
"Reading Room" at the Star of the Sea Hall
provided members with reading material.
This
led the way for the town’s first library situated in the
"Auxiliary Room" where club meeting and ladies
card games were previously held. |
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Star
of the Sea Hall |
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In
September of 1944, Placentia Regional Library opened to
serve a population of approximately 1,500 with a book
stock totaling 729. Circulation of materials for the first
year was 3,305. This library became part of the
Newfoundland Library Services which was set up in 1942 and
numbered 25 libraries across the province by 1974. Today
there are 96. |
Patrick
Sullivan |
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The
local bank manger and library-volunteer Mr. Frank Channing
was the library’s first chairperson. One of his duties was
to appoint Patrick Sullivan as the first community
librarian. In a very short time, Mr. Sullivan resigned and
was replaced by Mae O’Keefe who in turn resigned in 1945. |
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Dorothy
Myrick
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Dorothy
Myrick was then hired as librarian. Mrs. Myrick, who
held the position until she resigned in 1966, spent time
visiting the various schools and deposit stations in Branch,
Fox Harbour and Bar Haven |
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In
the Spring of 1967, Mrs. Gertie Sullivan,
daughter-in-law of the first librarian Patrick Sullivan,
was hired as librarian. Over the next 20 years, the
library flourished with Mrs. Sullivan as librarian.
After
the library relocated from the Star Hall to a small room
in the Placentia Town Hall, it became apparent that a new
larger library was needed. In
1968 the library board and other local volunteers, through
fundraising efforts and a lot of hard work, made the goal
a reality. |
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Gertie
Sullivan |
In
1969 the new library building located in the Town Square was
completed and ready for use. The official opening was held in the
summer of 1970 with Mr. James Leonard as chairperson of the board.
During
her tenure, Mrs. Sullivan was instrumental in developing a
sizeable "Placentia History" reference collection for
the library. On her retirement in 1986, the position was filled by
Barbara Bailey who continued in the position until 1993.
Over
the years, the library has undergone major changes. The
decommissioning of the Naval Facility at Argentia in 1994 provided
the library with furniture, supplies and book stock and a need for
larger quarters. Placentia Lions came to the rescue by
transferring their Youth Centre building to the Provincial Public
Libraries. In addition to this, budget cuts brought the merging of
the Freshwater and Placentia libraries, and so began the major
task of incorporating three libraries into one.
Our
present librarian Doris Bowering, who worked with the Provincial
Public Library in St. John’s for many years, transferred to
Placentia in 1993. Through Mrs. Bowering efforts, three library
collections were merged into the present-day Placentia Public
Library collection with a book stock of 20,000 plus.
The
changing role of the public libraries is emerging with advances in
computer technology. Placentia Public Library was the first
Community Access Program (CAP ) site in Newfoundland. CAP is an
initiative by Industry Canada to provide rural communities with
public access to the information superhighway. The library has six
(computer) terminals with high speed internet and offers patrons
access to email and other internet services and training.
Placentia Public Library has evolved into a modern Community
Resource Centre ready to fill the needs of Placentia and area. The
services at Placentia Public Library are available to everyone. A
library card is the only requirement.
Population
The
population of the Town
of Placentia is 4,426 which includes the
communities of Placentia, Southeast, Jerseyside, Freshwater,
Ferndale and Dunville.
Acknowledgements
Placentia
Public Library Board gratefully acknowledges Darlene Pomroy of
Innovative Photography at Jerseyside, Placentia for use of her
aerial photographs of the region as displayed in the
"Photos".
The
library board acknowledges the contribution of the Community
Access Program. Through their funding, the
library board was able to avail of CAP Intern Jason Whelan to
produce this web page.
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