Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library

</head> <body background="back.gif">   <center><table BORDER > <tr> <th COLSPAN="2"><img SRC="title.gif" ALT="Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library" height=121 width=492></th> </tr> <tr> <td ALIGN=CENTER><img SRC="frontdr.jpg" ALT="PICTURE" height=247 width=290></td> <td ALIGN=CENTER><b><i>Established 1800</i></b> <br>Box 430, Niagara-on-the-Lake  <br>Ontario, Canada L0S 1J0  <br>Phone: (905) 468-2023  <br>Fax: (905) 468-3334  <br>E-mail: <a href="mailto:notllib1@niagara.com">notllib1@niagara.com</a></td> </tr> </table></center> <p>   The Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library has been formally recognized by the Ontario government as the first circulating library to be established in Upper Canada. On June 8, 1800, forty-one prominent Niagara residents met to form a subscription library, which they named the Niagara Library. The first entry in its record book reads: "Sensible how much we are at a loss in this new and remote country for every kind of knowledge, and convinced that nothing would be of more use to diffuse knowledge amongst us and our offspring, than a library, supported by subscription in this town, we, whose names are hereunto subscribed hereby associate ourselves together for that purpose, and promise to pay annually a sum not exceeding four dollars to be laid out on books as agreed upon by a majority of votes at a yearly meeting." <p>    The library has continued to flourish since its beginnings except for a twenty-eight year hiatus from 1820-1848. It is one of the most unique library facilities in the province. It combines the historic ambience of its environment with modern technology to form a truly vital community institution. <p>    The library is located in the rear section of the historic Court House building at 26 Queen Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake. <ul> <li> <b>*** <a href="stories.htm">Stories by the Lake</a> - Niagara-on-the-Lake Festival of Storytelling - April 10, 1999 ***</b></li> <li> <a href="mission.htm">Mission and Roles Statement</a> - The Library's mission statement and its roles and objectives.</li> <li> <a href="hours.htm">Location and Hours of Operation</a> - The complete address and hours the library is open.</li> <li> <a href="member.htm">Memberships</a> - Information regarding library memberships.</li> <li> <a href="overview.htm">Overview of Programs, Materials and Services</a> - A brief description of each of the Library's programs, materials and services.</li> <li> <a href="family_s.htm">FamilySearch Program</a> - Information about the geneological search program FamilySearch, as well as policies concerning the program, etc.</li> <li> <a href="nhrc.htm">Niagara Historical Resource Centre</a> - A guide to the resources and facilities available at the Library.</li> <li> <a href="pictures.htm">Pictures of the Library</a> - Some clickable thumbnail pictures of the interior and exterior of the Library.</li> <li> <a href="ss.htm">Friends of the Library Speaker Series</a> - A schedule of this year's speakers at the Library.</li> <li> <a href="newspape.htm">Newspaper Articles</a> - Newspaper articles contributed by library staff to the Niagara Advance, a community newspaper.</li> <li> <a href="cap.htm">Community Access Program</a> - CAP is a federally funded program that offers free public Internet access in the library and the community.</li> </ul> This page has been accessed <img SRC="http://counter.digits.com/wc/notlplcount" HSPACE=4 height=20 width=60 align=CENTER> times. <h2> Email</h2> General inquiries concerning the library can be sent to our Chief Librarian, <a href="mailto:gmolson@niagaraotlake.library.on.ca">Gerda Molson</a>. <br>Reference requests can be sent to our Assistant Librarian, <a href="mailto:lpotter@niagaraotlake.library.on.ca">Linda Potter</a>. <br>Local history questions about Niagara-on-the-Lake can be sent to our History Resource Librarian, <a href="mailto:lgula@freenet.npiec.on.ca">Linda Gula</a>. <br>Comments concerning our newspaper column can be sent to <a href="mailto:shelaghw@aol.com">Shelagh Wallace</a>. <br>Information regarding web site design and maintenance can be sent to our Computer Consultant, <a href="mailto:bjanzen@vaxxine.com">Bill Janzen</a>. <p><i>This site last updated on February 15, 1999.</i> <p><img SRC="fa_logo.gif" height=40 width=50 align=LEFT><i> All pages © 1999 by Future Access</i>