Annette Street Library turns over a new page

Annette Street Library turns over a new page. The Annette Library, here in 1910, celebrates its 100th anniversary with a day-long party at the branch, Saturday, Sept. 12. Courtesy photo

Toronto's second oldest operating public library will mark its 100-year milestone with an all-day party. Festivities for children and families include live music, a magician and juggler, a kids craft table, among other activities. Perhaps most importantly, there will be cake.

"One hundred years is a huge anniversary," said Cheryl Skovronek, the Bloor, Brentwood and Richview area manager.

To mark such an occasion, the branch received a face-lift during its month-long closure in August. Visitors to the landmark building will be privy to its new carpet and paint, new furniture and reconfigured floor plan as well as a new teen zone.

"We wanted to put our best face forward in time for the anniversary," Skovronek said.

As part of the special events, the library is launching the Annette Street Centenary Project. In addition to its minor refurbishment, the goal of the Centenary project is to raise $20,000 to return the lobby to its former historical glory when it was first built. The goal of the project is to replace the existing and very heavy looking entrance banister with a new one, which will be constructed of wood and stainless steel. The aim is to maintain the past while adding a hint of the contemporary.

"It's a beautiful neighbourhood building, an old historic building with high ceilings and crown mouldings," said Skovronek of the branch's appeal. "With the face-lift we've given it, with vibrant colours, it has a nice warm feeling. It's a home away from home."

In 1908, Andrew Carnegie granted $20,000 to the Toronto Junction to build a public library. As a condition of the grant, the 'free' West Toronto Public Library Board was established. The site for the new library was acquired on Annette Street, on the southwest corner of Medland Street on June 26 of that year. In October, additional property immediately west on Annette Street was purchased. The architectural firm of James A. Ellis were commissioned to design the building.

The following year, the City of West Toronto was annexed to the City of Toronto on May 1. The West Toronto Public Library Board's assets, which included the library building still under construction and 3,800 books, were transferred to the Toronto Public Library Board. The Western Branch opened Sept. 1 with official ceremonies held Sept. 27.

The Annette Library is known as one of Toronto Public Library's prized heritage buildings. Second only to Yorkville, which was built in 1907, it is the library's oldest structure and boasts a unique pedigree.

Designed in the Beaux-Arts style, which was typical of many Carnegie libraries, it is marked by a broad flight of stairs leading to an elevated entrance and inside classical detailing with a blend of other architectural styles such as pilasters, capitals, cornices and cross-paneled beams that define a large rotunda from adjacent reading rooms.

A reflection of the neighbourhood, the branch has gone through several renovations to adapt to the changing needs of the community. Collections and services have also adapted to changing times. Its DVD and CD collections are popular, Skovronek said, as is its ESL language learning and teen collections.

Some of the highlights of the Sept. 12 celebrations include a birthday card craft table with celebrated children's illustrator Loris Lesynski and a book signing of 'The Most Attractive Resort in Town: Public Library Service in West Toronto Junction, 1888-2009 by Barbara Myrvold, Toronto Public Library's historian, which has been revised and expanded. There will be an historical walking tour at 10:30 a.m. hosted by the West Toronto Junction Historical Society and a heritage plaque presentation at noon. At 3 p.m., take a trip down memory lane with local historians A.B. Rice and Miss Elizabeth McCallum, the first librarian for the Annette Street Branch.

Visit www.torontopubliclibrary.ca or call the Answerline at 416-393-7131 for further details.