Holiday Closure:
All library locations will be closed on Monday, May 23 for Victoria Day. Hours of Operation
All library locations will be closed on Monday, May 23 for Victoria Day. Hours of Operation
Year | Event |
---|---|
1854 | Establishment of the Mechanic’s Institute, committed to sharing information |
1884 | First free public library opens in the Town Hall with newspapers, periodicals, and 3,000 books |
1902 | Carnegie Foundation grants $15,000 for a new library building, plus more for furniture |
1904 | Berlin Public Library opens on January 8 |
1908 | Mabel Dunham hired as the first professional librarian in charge of a library in Ontario; a pioneer in children’s services |
1912 | Dunham introduces Children’s Story Hour |
1916 | Separate Children’s Room added to the library |
1944 | Mabel Dunham retires, and Dorothy Shoemaker is appointed as Chief Librarian |
1962 | Main Library (now Central Library) opens |
1971 | Community library in Stanley Park opens |
1973 | Lynn Matthews appointed as Chief Librarian |
1976 | Forest Heights library opens |
1978 | Addition to Main Library, and introduction of first automated catalogue |
1982 | Pioneer Park library opens |
1984 | Kitchener Public Library celebrates its 100th anniversary with the opening of the Grace Schmidt Room of Local History |
1993 | Margaret Walshe appointed as CEO (formerly known as Chief Librarian); led the library through a time of rapid technological change |
2001 | First public access computers at the library, paid for in part by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation |
2004 | Country Hills library opens |
2004 | Sonia Lewis appointed as CEO |
2010 | Official groundbreaking ceremony to begin Central Library renovation and expansion project |
2014 | Central Library renovation and expansion completed |
2015 | Mary Chevreau appointed as CEO |