The Bay Roberts Public Library Board recently held a celebration commemorating its 80 anniversary.

The library was incorporated into the provincial library system in 1946. The Town of Bay Roberts was incorporated in 1951, making the library older than the town itself. Originally located on Water Street, today the library is found on Cross Road.

At the celebration, Bay Roberts Mayor Geoff Seymour said public libraries are generational. As a child, his mother would go to the library on Saturdays to sit in the stacks and read Nancy Drew mysteries. Eventually, the librarian informed her she could take books home if she got a library card. Seymour’s mother ran home, got a parent signature for the card, then ran back to the library and borrowed a wagonful of books. She got her card from the library when she was nine years old, and not only still has it, but is still a patron of the library.

Seymour added the role of the public library has expanded. It remains somewhere people can get books, where reading is promoted and made more accessible and affordable. However, libraries now also have technology, such as computers, that people can use for free, and offer media content.

“As a town, institutions and organizations like this, that serve the community, are invaluable,” said the mayor. He presented a certificate from the Town to congratulate the library on its anniversary, which was accepted by Bay Roberts Public Library Board Chairperson Florence Morgan-Thom. Morgan-Thom noted the Town also made a financial contribution to the library.

The celebration continued with a cake cutting, refreshments, and some readings. Two authors attended as special guest speakers: Pat Collins of Harbour Grace, and Robert Lundrigan, currently of Spaniard’s Bay, but originally from Upper Island Cove. Both Collins and Lundrigan spoke about their writing processes and read passages from their latest books.

“I work with a lot of libraries in a lot of communities in this region, and very few have the degree of community support that this library has,” said Sarah Bartlett, the Eastern Regional Librarian with Newfoundland and Labrador Public Libraries. “Seeing all of you here today, the sheer volume of cars in the lot, I think is really indicative of the level of use, but also the commitment of the members of the community here to the library.”

Source: The Shoreline News