Strathcona Library: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox library

| library_name = Old Strathcona BranchLibrary

| library_logo = [[File:EPL Logo.svg|250px]]

| branch_of = [[Edmonton Public Library]]

| image = Strathcona_Public_Library_Edmonton_Alberta_Canada_01.jpg

| ___location = 8331 - 104 Street NW,<br />[[Edmonton]], [[Alberta]], T6E 4E9, [[Canada]]<br />T6E 4E9

| coordinates = {{coord|53.5199|-113.4976|display=inline,title}}

| established = 1913

| phone_num = 780-496-1828

| website = https://www.epl.ca/locations/EPLSTR/

| established = 1913

| architect = Arthur Gordon Wilson & David Easton Herrald

| website = http://www.epl.ca/about-epl/branches-and-hours/strathcona-branch

| areaservice_area = [[Old Strathcona]]

| publictransit = {{rint|edmonton|ets}} {{rint|bus|1}} {{rbox|701||royalblue}}

}}

The '''Old Strathcona BranchLibrary''', one of the oldest libraries in [[Alberta]], completed in 1913, was the first library erected in the City of Edmonton.<ref name="Just Getting Started: Edmonton Public Library's First 100 years, 1913-2013">{{cite book|last=Babiak|first=Todd|title=Just Getting Started: Edmonton Public Library's First 100 years, 1913-2013|year=2013|publisher=[[The University of Alberta Press and The Edmonton Public Library]]|pagepages=17-2317–23}}</ref> Nevertheless, the Strathcona Library does have a complex background as to its historical status within the [[Edmonton Public Library]] system.<ref>{{cite book |title=First annual report of the Edmonton Public Library and Strathcona Public LibrarLibrary |year=1913 |___location=Edmonton |url=http://www.ourfutureourpast.ca/loc_hist/page.aspx?id=858070{{ASIN|1528043901|country=uk}} }}</ref> It is located on 104th Street, a block off of [[Whyte Avenue]] in the heart of [[Old Strathcona]]. Situated next to [[Wilbert McIntyre]] Park, the iconic Old Strathcona Gazebo, and the year-round Old Strathcona Farmer's Market, the Old Strathcona BranchLibrary is often a central gathering area for much of the local community. During the annual [[Edmonton International Fringe Festival]] in the surrounding area, the Old Strathcona BranchLibrary often hosts a large booksale to help shift aging and excess material from [[Edmonton Public Library|Edmonton Public Library's]] circulation.

==History==

[[File:Andrew Carnegie, three-quarter length portrait, seated, facing slightly left, 1913-crop.jpg|thumb|left|upright|The American philanthropist [[Andrew Carnegie]] had his offer rejected by the library's board]]

In 1897, the Strathcona Library Society was formed, with the idea to build a public library in the young city of [[Strathcona, Alberta|Strathcona]]. In 1910, a petition from citizens was eventually presented to the city council, officially requesting the construction of the library. The city quickly bought up the land for $6,250 from a local farmer, and organized the Strathcona Library Board. The American philanthropist [[Andrew Carnegie]] eventually offered the city $15,000 to build a small, standardized library. However, the board did not feel this would provide the library they were hoping to build, and they declined Carnegie's offer. Costs for the new library were eventually paid for as part of the agreement when Strathcona and Edmonton amalgamated in 1912.<ref name="Herzog">{{cite journal|last=Herzog|first=Lawrence|date=21 October 2010|title=Strathcona Public Library|journal=Real Estate Weekly|volume=28|issue=42|url=http://www.rewedmonton.ca/content_view_rew?CONTENT_ID=2961|accessdate=19 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323145743/http://www.rewedmonton.ca/content_view_rew?CONTENT_ID=2961|archive-date=23 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Strathcona Public Library, 1913, Glenbow Archives, na-1328-769.jpg|thumb|307x307px|Strathcona Public Library (1913), Edmonton, Alberta ]]

Construction began in 1912, and the new library was opened on March 13, 1913 by ex-Strathcona Mayor John Joseph Duggan and Edmonton Mayor William Short. Final cost of the library was approximately $27,000. The library was popular upon opening, and boasted an impressive circulation for the size of Edmonton at the time. The first minor renovation was completed in 1948, which converted the original men's-only reading room in the basement into a children's library.<ref name="Herzog" />

The post-WWII years, however, saw a sharp decline in usage as Edmonton rapidly expanded outward in the post-war boom, and [[Old Strathcona]] began to fall into disrepair and decline. The completion of the much larger and more modern [[Stanley A. Milner Library|Stanley A. Milner central library]] downtown in 1967 further perpetuated this decline. By the late 1960s, the aging and poorly maintained building began to require significant upkeep costs. The director of Edmonton Public Library attempted to close the branch in 1970. Although the closure was defeated by public opposition, the structural decline of the building meant the second floor could no longer support the weight of books, and the branch's collection and hours of operation were severely cut.

The early 1970s, however, saw a resurgence of support for the Old Strathcona BranchLibrary. Proposed south-side to downtown freeways threatened to destroy the remaining historic elements of Old Strathcona around Whyte Avenue. This led to a new interest in historic preservation and restoration, and the rebirth of Old Strathcona as a trendy arts and nightlife district. This resurgence brought great support for the library, and in 1976 the building was declared a Registered Historic Resource of Alberta by the provincial Minister of Culture.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hermis.alberta.ca/ARHP/Details.aspx?DeptID=1&ObjectID=4665-0678|title=Alberta Register of Historic Places|publisher=Heritage Resources Management Information System|accessdate=19 November 2010}}</ref> From 1984 to 1985 the library received a $250,000 restoration, undertaken by R.R. Roberts Architects, and paid for by the sale of the original downtown library building in the late 1960s when it was demolished to build the [[Alberta Government Telephones]] towers (today [[ATB Place]]).<ref name="Herzog" />

Since the mid-1980s, the branch has again become one of Edmonton Public Library's busiest, and is often seen as a community focal point for Old Strathcona. In 2004, the City of Edmonton named the building a Municipal Historic Resource, and from 2005 to 2006 the library was closed for another extensive restoration and expansion. This expansion added a large semi-circular addition, modern facilities to provide handicap accessibility, modern and efficient mechanical systems, and nearly doubled the library's original size. The renovation, however, was careful to maintain the building's original historical elements.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epl.ca/edmonton-history/90-years-of-photos-strathcona|title=Strathcona – 1913|publisher=Edmonton Public Library|accessdate=19 November 2010}}</ref> The Old Strathcona branch of the Edmonton Public Library as well as the overall Edmonton Public Library system of branches is celebrating a milestone of 100 years in 2013. <ref>Edmonton Public Library 100 years.</ref>

[http://www.epl.ca/100 www.epl.ca/100] The library system now has 3 million physical and digital items in its vast collection as well as 12,000 free events each year.<ref>Edmonton public Library</ref>

==Architecture==

The original building was designed by the firm of Arthur G. Wilson and David E. Herrald.<ref name="Herzog" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Wilson, Arthur Gordon |url=http://dictionaryofarchitectsincanada.org/node/394 |access-date=May 21, 2025 |website=Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada, 1800 - 1950}}</ref> Although a local duo, their design borrowed heavily from their British roots. It is a simplified English Renaissance Revival Style, common for [[Commonwealth of Nations|commonwealth]] buildings of the [[Edwardian age]]. Although grand in appearance, with ionic columns and limestone cornices on the exterior and intricate carved wood on the interior, the design is far more simplified and streamlined than earlier buildings of the [[Victoria era]]. This is reflected in other nearby buildings of the same age, such as [[Old Scona Academic High School]].

==Schools served==

As part of Edmonton Public Library's regional division, the Old Strathcona branchLibrary serves the following nearby schools:<ref name="eplstrath">{{cite web|url=https://www.epl.ca/locations/EPLSTR/|title=Strathcona Branch|publisher=Edmonton Public Library|accessdate=19 November 2010}}</ref>

*Academy at King Edward

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*Windsor Park Elementary School

The Old Strathcona BranchLibrary is also, physically, the closest branch of Edmonton Public Library to the [[University of Alberta]] (though a fast, direct [[Edmonton Light Rail TransitLRT|LRT]] connection from the university to the downtown central Stanley A. Milner Library somewhat limits its use by students).

==References==

{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Library buildings completed in 1913]]

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[[Category:Public libraries in Alberta]]

[[Category:Registered Historic Resources in Edmonton]]

[[Category:Organizations established in 1913]]

[[Category:Renaissance Revival architecture in Canada]]

[[Category:Edwardian architecture in Canada]]

[[Category:1913 establishments in Alberta]]

[[Category:OrganizationsLibraries established in 1913]]

[[Category:Historic buildings and structures in Edmonton]]