Longtime residents may remember borrowing books in the courthouse basement before 1972, but the Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library’s 225th anniversary last Saturday introduced a modern rebranding to the community.
The library’s summer kick-off drew families for games, art and story time, while staff soft-launched a new logo, colour palette and signage funded by an anonymous donor and designed by St. Catharines firm Form & Affect.
The rebrand is meant to modernize the library’s appearance, match town colours and signal that its services go beyond lending books.
“It was time to update and better show what we do,” said Stephanie Oliver, the library’s marketing and communications lead.
“It will always be books, but we offer so much more as well,” said Oliver.
Beyond lending books, the NOTL Public Library serves as a community hub offering arts workshops, tech help, reading clubs, rentable games and free family events.
Chief executive Laura Tait said months of staff planning explored options to improve community understanding of what the library offers.
“Accessibility was front of mind and increasing our awareness in the community, we saw a rebrand would really help to do that,” said Tait.
“Everyone’s really surprised about how old we are,” said Tait.
Board co-chair Wayne Scott traced that longevity to the library’s original purpose.
“I was surprised to learn that the original library was also a place where tools were shared, so right from very early days it was more than just books,” said Scott.
Behind the library, the Matthew and GiGi Cater returned for a fourth year with their Mountainview LemonAID stand, fundraising to send children served by Family and Children’s Services Niagara to summer camp.
“All the stands are donated by Mountainview, so every dollar raised goes back to the kids; it’s run by kids, and it’s amazing what they can do,” said Coun. Adriana Vizzari, volunteer supervisor and library board member.
Niagara Regional Native Centre outreach worker Jasmine Black handed out free children’s books by Indigenous authors and provided details on the centre’s summer programs.
“We want kids to see that Indigenous culture is alive right here in their community,” said Black.
A watercolour workshop run by Kasia Przybyl from the Trisha Romance Art Fund taught kids to paint like Monet-inspired landscapes.
“It’s really fun, it’s a way to keep the arts alive and get kids interested,” said Przybyl.
The NOTL Ukesters came and performed songs for the families attending the summer kick-off, and the Yellow Door Theatre students performed a few songs from their repertoire in the first hour of the event.
Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa came to read “The Book with No Pictures” to the kids in attendance.
Two inflatable castles, cotton candy and a free barbecue kept lineups moving behind the library.
Town recreation staff used the event to launch the Get Active NOTL passport, a Parks and Recreation Month challenge that asks residents of all ages to complete ten listed activities — such as hiking, swimming or visiting a playground — before June 30 for a chance at prizes and a healthier summer.
