| Library Name: | Guelph Public Library |
| Library Logo: | Vision Guelph Public Library - Explore · Connect · Thrive. |
| Location: | 100 Norfolk Street Guelph, Ontario N1H 4J6 |
| Established: | 1850 |
| Num Branches: | 7 |
| Items Collected: | business directories, government publications, non-fiction and fiction books, periodicals, genealogy, local history, DVDs, CDs |
| Director: | Dan Atkins, Acting CEO |
Guelph Public Library is a public library system serving the city of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. The main library downtown, five branches, and a bookmobile (seven branches total) serve about 123,000 residents in Guelph. The current Acting CEO is Dan Atkins.[1]
In 1883, the Guelph Public Library was the first public library in Ontario established under the Public Library Act of 1882.[2] The collection of the Farmers and Mechanics Institute library, which had been a free public lending library since 1850, was contributed to the newly founded Guelph Public Library.[3]
The first library building was completed in September 1905 at the corner of Norfolk and Paisley streets downtown, partly through a Carnegie Foundation grant of $24,000.[4] The neo-classical (Beaux Art) structure, had been designed in 1902 by W. Frye Colwill.[5] According to a University publication, "The library permitted free access, used the Dewey Decimal system classification, and provided a card catalogue. The motto, "Floreat Scientia" ("Let Knowledge Grow") was carved above the stone entrance. A special Guelph feature was its dome, one of the few built in this fashion in Canada".[6] It was demolished in 1964 in spite of public opposition, and replaced with the current structure on Norfolk St.[7] [8]
A new public library may be built near the Baker St. parking lot, which is to be redeveloped as the Baker District. Preliminary discussions about a new main branch had taken place by summer 2017 with some decision expected to be made in 2018.[9] [10] Construction is expected to begin in 2024.