This month we find ourselves in Seaforth, where the first library was established in 1869 as, you guessed it, a Mechanics’ Institute. It was situated above Thomas Kidd’s South store at the corner of Main and Market Streets.
Not long after the Institute was established, in 1878, something unheard of happened – the library had games and billiard tables. Billiard tables! In a library! I’m sure there’s someone out there that wishes they could shoot some pool before taking out their books.
Sadly, this incredible setup didn’t last long – the tables were sold and removed in 1881. I guess it wasn’t going over very well.
The next year, 1882, saw the name change to the Seaforth Public Library after the Free Libraries Act was passed. This was cutting edge – most other libraries in the County remained Mechanics Institutes into the 20th century.
Fast forwarding again, to 1894, and the library was on the move to a room on the second floor of the newly built town hall.
When we get to the 20th century, as we know at this point, Andrew Carnegie was giving out his grants to have libraries built across Canada. Having seen Goderich get their library, Seaforth must have wanted a piece of the action.
They were likely a shoe-in for being granted the money. Why would that be, you may ask? Andrew Carnegie’s private secretary, Mr. James Bertram, considered each application for a Carnegie Library. Bertram was the one who wasn’t a fan of high ceilings and elaborate rotundas. He was, however, likely a fan of Seaforth, seeing as his wife Janet was originally from that very town. Sometimes it pays to have connections.
So, in 1912, Seaforth received the $10,000 grant from Carnegie. The Library Board bought what was at the time the Allen property on the corner of Main and George Streets. Although my research doesn’t specify, I assume that whatever building was there was demolished and the library that stands to this day was completed in 1913. Just like with the building of Goderich’s library in 1905, the Carnegie grant was overspent.
Fun fact – the librarian that oversaw the move, a certain Greta Thompson, held the position from 1907 to 1957. That’s 50 years as Seaforth’s librarian! That’s gotta be some kind of record.
Like the other Carnegie libraries in Huron County, the building has required some renovations. Three that I came across in my research were in 1984, 1995, and 2017. The one in 1995 came with a $375,000 dollar price tag, which was undertaken under the Canada/Ontario Infrastructure Works program. The federal government, provincial government, and Seaforth each paid one third of the total cost. The resulting changes included new plumbing, new heating, new lighting, air conditioning, a new, fully accessible entrance, a new elevator, and new washrooms. The basement was also “raised” three feet, turning the basement into the main level.
In September 1995, the library moved to its temporary location, a twin vacant store at 59 and 61 Main Street, which is just north and across the street from the Carnegie building. About seven months later, the library was moved back into the newly renovated building and reopened on April 1, 1996. April Fools!
Another renovation took place in 2017, the project receiving a grant from the Huron Heritage Fund. This one saw the library receiving a new roof, new windows, attic insulation, and new exterior doors, handrails, and eavestroughs. The price this time was $303,000 before taxes.
More recently, in 2025, a bar stool area was added right against one of the windows upstairs, allowing patrons to sit, relax, and look out the window onto main street. A circulation desk was also added upstairs, and the main floor has been completely redesigned.
