Library celebrates 100 years as literary pillar of the community

The Carnegie Library in Hespeler has survived world wars, pandemics and amalgamation. It's been around 100 years and plans to be around for 100 more. Now called the Hespeler Idea Exchange, the original library sits encased in a glass box, completely preserving the century-old structure. 

"Having won national and international awards for it's beautiful architecture, we are happy to celebrate 100 years of this amazing building," said Idea Exchange CEO Chrissy Hodgins during Saturday's festivities.  “This is our chance to celebrate the generations of community members who have utilized this building for learning, exploring, connecting with others, and developing a sense of self."

Many of the attendees at the event reminisced when they were kids growing up in their Hespeler neighbourhood and checking out books from the old library. 

Sue Phillips, 75, started going to the Carnegie Library when her family first moved to Hespeler in 1962. She would take her books and read under the trees in Forbes Park right across the street. 

"Back in the day we didn't have TV or the internet like we do today, so we would read," said Phillips. "Me and a couple girlfriends from school would all check out our books and sit in the park until it was time to go home for dinner."

Phillips said her deep love for literature and reading was developed at the library. 

The Carnegie Library has continued to be a staple in the landscape that is Hespeler. Now it can be seen through it's glass walls, allowing those passing by to catch a glimpse of history and maybe a few books. 

The original library was built in 1922 and opened to the public in 1923. In 2007, former Cambridge mayor Doug Craig and his council approved of the $4.2 million renovation to bring in into the modern age and be equipped for the future. 

"We have the best library system in Ontario and it's not just about the buildings, but about about the people throughout the decades," said Craig. "We made a decision all those years ago to create a place that will be great for another 100 years." 

Cambridge Mayor Jan Liggett spoke to the crowd about the importance of reading and bringing literature to the next generation and giving them an outlet like her and Phillips had when they were young. 

"I've never lost that love of books. If I wake up at 3 a.m. and I can't sleep I grab a book, because it's my friend, it's soothing" she said. 

Liggett's connection with the library goes deeper than checking out books or studying for a big test within it's walls. One of the first big projects she and her husband completed was taking part in library renovations. 

"I had the honour to do some work on this library, I replaced some of the sills that were totally destroyed and on a door that became a window," said Liggett. "We worked really hard and are grateful we were able to put it in our work portfolio."

Everyone at the event had their own connection and story about the library, some have been going there for most of their life and some just walked in off the street to see what was going on. 

"We are new to Cambridge and were out for a walk, we saw some people outside and decided to stop on in," said Alice Wong. "I really love what they did with the old building and how they incorporated it in with the modern look of the glass. 

"We're definitely going to come back and get a library card soon."