Dr. Robin Williams
Special to Niagara Now/The Lake Report

As I sit at a table in our sun-filled, beautiful space at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library, I am reminded of the importance of local libraries in the development of Canada and its nationhood.  

I can’t help but wonder what Andrew Horton and his 40 other NOTL residents were thinking 225 years ago as they banded together in that spring to become the first subscription circulating library in Upper Canada. 

Later that summer, on Aug. 15, 1800, Horton and another resident, Martin McClellan, were tasked with collecting subscriptions and ordering books. The initial collection was 80 books; by 1805, it had grown to a robust 344 volumes. 

Over the years, the library services were impacted by the winds of war (1812, First World War, Second World War) with interruptions, and changes in governance until Janet Carnochan (a familiar NOTL name) ensured that the library was established as the social, political and information centre for the community. 

From the late 1800s, the library was in the courthouse building on Queen Street and enjoyed multiple renovations and expansions into the building’s indoor rifle range, garage and furnace room. But the library finally outgrew its setting and amidst some controversy that many of us will remember, it was moved in 2000 to its current location on Anderson Lane.

One further renovation occurred in 2017 to meet new accessibility standards, along with major advances in technology and information retrieval.

Today, we enjoy the beautiful multi-use space with movable shelving to open up space for exhibits and presentations, the latest in programs and services, and even a new privacy “pod.”

We have a housed collection of over 43,000 items, including a robust historical collection, making our library a valued local research source.

As well, we have access to nearly 500,000 items through the LiNC system from Niagara’s regional and provincial libraries.  We have eBooks and other digital books and magazines — opening our lives to an immense world beyond our doorsteps.

If Horton or Carnochan are watching, they must be grinning from ear to ear.

And you know what else they are delighted about? We have a new CEO, Laura Tait, who leads our devoted and energized team, which is providing dynamic programs about and beyond books for all Niagara-on-the-Lake residents and families. And NOTL’s library has a cadre of committed volunteers.  

As a retired pediatrician and public health physician, I have a special place in my heart for kids and, especially, our youngest.

Over my career, we have come to realize that the basis of early child development is the wiring and pruning of neural connections in a child’s brain, nestled in a backdrop of positive emotional, relational health — yes, love builds brains! 

The daily “to and fro” between babies and their moms, dads and families is critical to their development. And you know what else matters? High-quality early learning and care settings, like we see regularly at the NOTL library.

The COVID pandemic took its toll on all of us, but children and teenagers suffered in their own unique ways.

It has affected their learning, literacy, socialization and screen use, and emotional well-being. Rates of anxiety and depression are worrisome in children and their parents.

And the repair going forward asks of each of us, including schools and our libraries, to step up and help address the challenges. 

During March break, the library was full of little voices, creating a gentle din. Folks were coming and going, meeting reptiles, joining wire-art workshops, engaging with books and stories.

Programs from knitting circles to book groups, seed library to trivia night, filled the rooms with energy, voices and fun. The place sizzled.

This is exactly what community connection looks like.

In the current world chaos, including recent American defunding of libraries and museums, Canadian libraries and ours in particular are important assets, contributing to building “community.” People from all backgrounds and ages, and all socioeconomic strata, come comfortably in and out of our front door.  

And the future direction for our library is the basis of a needed community discussion. Where we go from here, over our next 225 years, will need your support, wisdom and guidance.

Stay tuned because we will be looking for your input.

Order of Canada recipient Dr. Robin Williams is a member of the NOTL Public Library board and chair of its advocacy and fundraising committee.