Berwyn Municipal Library

History of the Berwyn Municipal Library formerly Berwyn W. I. Library

As the motto of Women's Institutes is "For Home and Country", the Berwyn Women's Institute felt that a Library was needed in their community, and so undertook a venture.  Thus in 1936 the Berwyn Library was started on a couple of shelves in Heffernan's Hardware Store.  Books were donated by various people, some used ones were purchased from Esch's Book Store in Edmonton, and a few new Triangle books bought from Eatons.

Soon these premises were outgrown and a new quarters were found in the old Lampley house behind the butcher shop.  Rent was shared with a family whose highschool children helped with the books.  At about this time Mrs. Smedegaard and Mrs. Glaum were the Library Committee, and extra book money was raised by raffling an embroidered lunch cloth.

When the war started memberships declined, so funds were not available for rent, and Mr. Heffernan again very kindly allowed us space, but this time in his office.

One wartime project of the Women's Institute was to collect kitchen fats for salvage, and where else could it be stored but in the Library!  The committee in charge of this was referred to as the "Fats Committee", namely Mrs. Glaum and Mrs. Wright, two of our more well padded members.

First government grant

In 1939 Mrs. Bob Davies suggested that we contact Mr. Camerson, Librarian at the University of Alberta, in regards to the possibility of obtaining a library grant from the Alberta Government.  In a letter dated October 13, 1939, Mr. Camerson advised that he had recommended that the Berwyn W I Library be given this grant.  The sum of $32.86 was received and had to be matched dollar for dollar.  These matching grants have been received yearly since then and are used for book purchases.

In the spring of 1943 the Library was again moved across the street to a building also occupied by the Red Cross.  The moving of shelves and tubs of books was done by hand by Mrs. Glaum, Mrs. Heffernan, and her daughter Joan, much to Joan's embarrassment.

A couple of years later the Berwyn Women's Institute decided to provide a restroom for the publics use, and acquired the old Jesse Smith office building.  Assisted by the Berwyn Men's Club with money and labour, a space was allocated for the Library with a separate room for the restroom, and a twoholer out back.

First library board

At this time a Library Board was formed.  This consisted of two members from the Men's Club and three from the Women's Institute.  Library fees were set at $1.00 per year.

Our old building grew older, and in 1949 our Library was obliged to move again.  The old bakery building was purchased and renovated.  For additional revenue half the building was rented to McLarty Construction, and the restroom was still out back.  On October 7, 1950 a tea was held to officially open the new Women's Institute Library.

A more active Library Board was appointed consisting of Mr. Garrison from the school, Mr, Merriott from the Men's Club, Mrs. Helen Heath and Mrs. Pillott from the Women's Institute, with Mrs. Glaum as Secretary-Treasurer.

Ongoing education

In 1958 Mrs. Pillott and Mrs. Glaum attended a workshop in Grande Prairie to learn the cataloging and filing systems required to operate a library more efficiently.  The summer was spent in the sorting and weeding of books, and typing and filing cards.  Volunteers for this mammoth task were Mrs. Glaum and Helen Heath.

In 1962 short library courses became available and Mrs. Glaum took one of them.  This involved a great deal of study and correspondence, but was most worthwhile.  Up to this time all library work was volunteer, but now it was decided to hire someone at $1.00 per afternoon.

When the Village of Berwyn planned their new town hall a room was included for a library.  We were moved in time for their official opening in May of 1964.  W.I. President Mrs. Wm. Pimm took part in the ribbon cutting ceremonies.  Mr. Ted Wiltshire, Director of Library Services for Alberta, was in attendance.  Mrs. Zella Pimm still serves on our Library Board today.

A growing community resource

Alberta Government Grants have increased from $32.86 to $6,400 in 2010, and our book stock grew from a couple of shelves to nearly 9000 volumes.  You can appreciate from this the library has reading suitable for everyone.  New books are received frequently, and the public is urged to use this facility.

**This is a history of the Library as remembered by Mrs. Glaum who gave many years of faithful service worthy of recognition.