Advocacy and enthusiasm made Oxford’s County Library Services what they are today

The original Tillsonburg library was built in 1915 through a generous $10,000 donation from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. (Image Courtesy of the Oxford County Library)

Robin Krafft, Post Contributor

The third installment of the 2025 Local History Speaker's Series took place on July 19 at the Tillsonburg Public Library.

The series was arranged in coordination with the Oxford County Archives, celebrating the 60th anniversary of Oxford County Library (OCL) and the 25th anniversary of the Archives. Dr. Matthew Griffis, Digital Literacy and Local History Technician, gave a lively talk entitled Twice a Pioneer: A History of Oxford's County Library Services, and displayed several artifacts.

There was always a demand for books and library services in the rural agricultural areas of Ontario, which was confirmed by the Free Public Libraries Act of 1882. County library associations existed in the early 1900s, served by travelling libraries, which were horse-drawn carriages outfitted with specialized crates for books. Dr. Griffis explained, "It wasn't a full county-wide system, but a collective. All member libraries were connected and shared and rotated resources regularly."

Free public libraries were springing up across North America, fueled by the Andrew Carnegie Foundation, which allowed communities to apply for a grant for the construction of a freestanding building as a dedicated library. In Canada, 125 Carnegie libraries were built, including five in Oxford County, of which, Tillsonburg was one. It was built in 1915.

Dr. Griffis noted that Carnegie's philanthropy "advanced the concept of the free public library."

Thanks to enthusiastic patrons and librarians, the Oxford County Library Association formed in 1937. Members met quarterly, sharing and circulating books. Dr. Griffis described how Angus Mowat, Ontario's Director of Public Libraries from 1937 to 1959 (and Farley Mowat's father) made amendments to the Public Library Act in 1947. The changes legally recognized cooperatives and collectives with the stipulation that the county had to pass associated bylaws. In 1948, the Oxford County Library Cooperative was formed.

Someone needed to manage this network of libraries, and in 1949 Louise Krompart became the county librarian, working from the basement of the Woodstock courthouse. Krompart helped launch the new Oxford County Library in 1965 and served as county librarian until she retired in 1973.

Dr Griffis shared audio of an interview with Krompart. She spoke affectionately about how much she enjoyed the county work and visiting schools that didn't have many books. She was impressed by the number of books the children were reading and recognized the advocacy of their teachers.

In 1953, the OCL got its first motorized bookmobile, which travelled quarterly, stopping at all member libraries and all area schools, as well as serving parts of the county that didn't have libraries.

The county bylaws were changed yet again in 1964. Oxford was the second county in Ontario to form a countywide Llibrary system. The OCL was officially formed, but Tillsonburg maintained an independent library until 2013.

The Centennial Building in Woodstock opened in 1967 as the headquarters for the OCL, including a garage for the bookmobile, where it operated until 1997. The building now houses Southwest Public Health. From 1978 to 1990, the library system gradually modernized and the foundation for a new form of information technology was laid.

Electronic cataloging was used to automate and modernize library systems throughout the 1980s, with the first plastic bar codes for books appearing in the late 90s. Along with changes in technology, the atmosphere and mandate of library services has also changed. With a quiet, serious culture, early libraries were heavily focused on nonfiction books and providing information. Libraries were originally for teens and adults only.

Libraries are now a vibrant community hub, a more relaxed environment that aims to provide much broader services and regular programs for all ages.