'Heart of the community,' Hespeler Carnegie Library celebrates 100 years
The library has programs and events planned for Saturday
The Hespeler Carnegie Library has evolved from a place where people borrowed books into a community meeting space.
On Saturday, the location will celebrate its 100th anniversary.
Susan Hastings, the acting manager of the Hespeler Branch — which is also known as the Idea Exchange, explains that the library's focus has changed both in its approach and architecturally since opening in 1923.
"When the building was originally opened, the population of Hespeler was about 2,500 people. And now it's closer to 30,000," said Hastings.
"So it really did not have the capacity to serve the needs of the community. [During renovations in] 2007 they preserved the old building, but also extended the space by probably more than double actually."
The location is one of five library branches in the City of Cambridge.
'Get together and exchange ideas'
Hastings says legally they are still called the Cambridge Public Library but they operate as the Idea Exchange to let the community know they offer more than books.
"It's a place for the community to get together and exchange ideas basically," she says.
Those ideas can come in the form of high-tech machines, like a 3D printer and a Cricut machine, which designs crafts for users.
"People use them for all kinds of applications. For greeting cards you can print on vinyl and then iron it onto a T-shirt or a canvas bag, that kind of thing. It's very much a maker craft," said Hastings.
The library has a number of programs and events planned for Saturday and throughout the year including historical talks with guest speakers.
On Saturday, there will be heritage-themed activities for kids and adults. As well, people can take a self-guided tour of the location and there will be musical acts performing between 10 a.m and 3 p.m.
As well, guests are encouraged to fill out a commemorative postcard explaining what the library means to them.
"People still remember coming in and where the librarian used to sit and where their favourite book was stored. It's been in the heart of the community for so long," said Hastings.
A number of other events and activities are planned throughout the summer and the rest of the year. Details can be found on the library website.