Just a few years later, in the summer of 1981, this headline was on the front page of the July 30 issue of the Clinton News Record – ”Library may be sinking”. According to the article, “Clinton’s stately library … is presently under examination and a feasibility study may be conducted to determine how structurally sound the building actually is.” The article also mentions that “… (it’s) said to be sinking and rumoured to be sitting on a bed of quick sand” and “suspicion shows that the library foundation may be sinking, seen from the noticeable lean on the basement floor.”
Well, that was quite the rumour! Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think it proved to be a true one.
In addition to the foundation needing to be checked out, by 1981, the second floor was approaching 20 years since it had been abandoned, and so had fallen into disrepair. At that point, it was being used for storage and occasionally as a meeting space.
Here’s one reporter’s description.
“A climb up the once elegant old winding staircase leads to the second story of the Clinton library building. Although run down and dirty, the seldom used room is still architecturally intriguing with its large windows and deep woodwork.”
Just to pile on, some parts of the roof were in need of repair. Needless to say, seems like the old building needed some attention!
Once the evaluation was completed, in 1982, it was announced that the library was no longer structurally sound. As a result, library operations were shifted to the empty former Pro Hardware store on Albert Street. Staff and volunteers took on the huge task of transferring equipment, furniture, and 21,000 books to the temporary location. I wonder if they made a human train and passed the books down the street from one person to the next!
The municipal council at the time agreed to renovate the existing structure. The second floor was included in the renovations and was transformed into “a bright children’s library, complete with a story room”, which remains largely the same to this day. Other work included refurbishing the original stained-glass windows, replacing glass where needed, restoring the original oak circulation desk, replacing furniture, and retaining the tin ceiling. In other words, sounds like everything that needed attention, got it.
About two years later, in March 1984, it was reported that the library would be closed so everything could be moved from the hardware store back to the newly renovated library. It took library workers and volunteers 2 weeks to pack up hundreds of boxes of books and transport them, along with the equipment and some furniture, back to the Staveley building.
Just a couple months later in May, there was an afternoon open house to showcase the newly renovated space. More than 125 people took in a completely transformed library, most of whom were no doubt impressed by the changes.
More recently, the Clinton Library has seen a major overhaul in its layout with a new front desk and new shelving on the main floor. And in 2025, a lift was added to make the second floor fully accessible for the first time ever!
