Cranbrook Public Library celebrates 100 years of accessible literature
The library in the East Kootenay city turned 100 on July 4, garnering congratulatory greetings from the likes of authors Louise Penny, Ann Patchett and John Grisham.
Simon Tolkien, a historical fiction writer and grandson of Lord of the Rings author J. R. R. Tolkien, sent a video offering well wishes.
"What a journey the library has travelled, from such humble beginnings in 1925 ... with just 95 members to the thriving institution you are today, with a membership of over 10,000," Tolkien said in a video to library staff.
"Congratulations to you all on this wonderful occasion."
According to its website, the library opened its doors to the public on July 4, 1925 with a small collection of donated books and was open nine hours a week.
Mike Selby, deputy director of the Cranbrook Public Library, said the mayor at the time checked out the first library book.
Libraries nowadays often make headlines around issues such as banned books and drag queen story time. The Cranbrook library got its first taste of controversy in 1939 when a patron destroyed a copy of John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men because he didn't think it was a decent book.
According to the library's website, the patron was "thoroughly admonished by the Library Board and told that members were not to act as censors."
In the late '50s, the library had outgrown its original space and moved into a new building.
As demand for books grew, and technology changed over the decades, the Cranbrook library — like many libraries — has had to adapt.
Selby, who has worked at the library for almost two decades, said a lot has changed during his time there.
But one thing remained: the citizens and leaders in Cranbrook believed in free access to books and information, Selby said.
"To have that go for 100 years is really something special."
B.C. Premier David Eby said libraries are important now more than ever.
"In an age of disinformation and misinformation, you promote literacy, as well as the critical thinking necessary to separate fact from fiction," he said in a video.
Chief librarian Ursula Brigl said libraries are about much more than just information.
"It's also a place where people can come to work, to study, to breathe, to relax, to get out of the elements. It's also a place where people are free to be themselves. It's a place where they can explore and be curious and discover something new.
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