Collectivité

Moose Jaw Public Library

1913-

In November of 1911 the first meeting of a library board was held with the first order of business to erect a public library in Moose Jaw. The board consisted of E. J. Chegwin, A. A. Graham, W. F. Heal, Alfred Mayberry, D. Stemper and J. W. Sifton.
A competition was held to determine the best design for the new building. In January 1912 the winners of the competition were named and Moose Jaw architects Messrs. Reid and McAlpine were chosen.
For the next two years the board would decided on the location for the new building, the tenders to be granted for construction, (Peter Lyall and Sons), plumbing and heating, (Frost Bros.) electrical wiring, (Acme Electric), furniture, hardware, insurance and books. On October 22, 1912, Mr. A. H. Gibbard was chosen to serve as Chief Librarian.
The winter of 1912 saw the first donation to the library's museum room from one Nicholas Yannis as he gave his large collection of ancient and modern coins to the library. However no record of the current fate of the coins is apparent.
On August 15, 1913, the Moose Jaw Public Library was officially opened. Staff that day included Mr. Gibbard, Miss M. A. Hallam, Miss Ester McCammon and Mr. E. Buckley; Miss Ida Crane joined the staff in September. Mr. Gibbard remained with the library until 1940 and was succeeded by S. R. Stephens and eventually Miss H. Cummings.
In 1963 the library celebrated its Fiftieth Anniversary with Katherine McKinnon as Chief Librarian. Many exhibits and activities were organized for the celebration. One permanent event was the opening of a Jubilee branch in November of that year. The facility was rented and the owner sold the premises in the fall of 1967 requiring the branch's closure.