Westport Public Library

Located at 3 Spring Street in Westport.

History

It’s hard to believe that the ‘house of books” now located at 3 Spring Street was originally housed in an abandoned butcher shop, lacking electricity and indoor plumbing.

With a nucleus of interested and dedicated people along with strong community involvement the butcher shop was transformed into a small library stocked with one set of encyclopedia donated by the Lions Club, discards from the Toronto and Kingston libraries, as well as private donations. A Public Library Board was established, and the doors opened on February 18, 1947.

Growth was so rapid that by 1950 The Board was seeking a new home. A back section of the post office lot was acquired by The Town Council, and a new library was soon a reality.

In 1971 the library joined The County Library System. In 1975 the Dewey Decimal System of cataloguing was introduced, and in 1977 a telephone was installed.

In 1982 the library had once again outgrown its home. It was decided to construct a new building at the same location. It opened in 1987. The former building is now located at the local airfield.

In 1991 a Friends of the Library was formed to assist in volunteer staffing and fundraising. A used bookshop was also generated.

The library now functions as a venue for community programs, and in 1997 came on-line agreeing to become a community access terminal.

After 60 years of careful planning and hard work, tireless volunteers have made the Westport Public Library what it is today.

Hours of Operation

Contact

For more information please contact the Librarian at 613-273-3223.