Aurora Public Library History

Town Hall 1922-1945. Photo credit Aurora Museum

Public library service in Aurora began in 1855 with the formation of the Aurora Association for the Diffusion of Helpful Knowledge later called the Aurora Mechanics Institute and Library Association. The emphasis of this association was providing weekly lectures and concerts rather than lending books. However, by 1863 the library had a collection of 500 books. The library was open for two hours every Friday.

By 1868 the association decided to construct its own building at the southeast corner of Mosley and Victoria Streets. The building was called The Mechanics Hall and was used as a lecture and concert hall, as well as a library reading room.

In 1895, a Public Library Association was formed with a Board of Management appointed by the Town Council. The library collection was enlarged and by 1905 the emphasis had become the circulation of books.

In 1920, the Town Council accepted the assets of the association including The Mechanics Hall and established a Municipal Public Library under the Free Public Libraries Act. The Library was moved to the Town Hall on the northeast corner of Yonge and Mosley Streets. In 1926, a children's section of the library opened. Children were admitted only on Saturday afternoons.

In 1945, the collection was moved to Health Hall, now Victoria Hall, on the southwest corner of Mosley and Victoria Streets.

The "Book Brigade". Wells Street Public School students carry the Library collections from Health Hall to the "new" Library in 1963.

In 1963, to commemorate Aurora's centennial, a permanent and appropriately furnished library, a building of 4,500 square feet, was constructed at 56 Victoria Street. By 1967, the collection size was approximately 14,900 and the membership was 5,236. This construction occurred during the tenure of Marjorie Andrews, town librarian for 38 years. Miss Andrews was instrumental in the development of library service in Aurora.

Population growth and demand for services necessitated expansion and in 1976 the first part of a planned 13,000 square foot extension was opened. The remainder, including a large meeting room named after Marjorie Andrews, was opened in 1979. The expanded facility was designed to serve a population of 20,000.

Following Marjorie Andrew's retirement, Sylvia Hall became the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). In 1980, Penny McKee became the CEO. In 1987, she was succeeded by Colleen Abbott. Aurora's population continued to grow as did the demand for and scope of its public library service. In 2001, Aurora Public Library was moved to the 44,375 square foot facility on the northeast corner of Yonge and Church Street. In 2008 Louise Procter Maio succeeded Colleen Abbott as the Chief Executive Officer.

Aurora Public Library in 2009

(This summary has been compiled from sources available in the Aurora Public Library's local and library history files.)

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