The Oshawa Public Library enriches the lives and potential of the people of Oshawa – by connecting them to the world of information and each other.
Colonel R. S. McLaughlin's commitment to library service in Oshawa didn't end with his generous funding of the McLaughlin Library in 1954. In 1962 he gave the library a Bookmobile and truck to service schools and outlying parts of the City. In 1966 the McLaughlin Room was renovated to house Colonel McLaughlin's momentoes, trophies and family tree. A third floor was also part of this expansion, and the Music and Film collections moved up there.
As the 1960s passed, it became apparent that more than a bookmobile was needed to provide adequate library service to Oshawans, and in 1969 the Library opened its first branch - the North Simcoe Branch (3,200 square feet), located in rented plaza space near the corner of Simcoe and Beatrice streets. The branch opened with a collection of 15,000 volumes. Within a year circulation jumped by 40%. By 1980, the circulation was 141,000, the book collection was at 39,000, and the branch was clearly inadequate to meet the needs of its users. The Library Board responded by obtaining a site just a few blocks away (Beatrice and Ritson) and building the beautiful Northview Branch which at 14,500 square feet was four times the size of the old branch. The new branch opened in 1987 and circulation the first year jumped by 48%.
Nor were the needs of south Oshawa overlooked. In 1975 a small trailer located at the Sydenham Post offered limited library service. In 1977 Bob Hann gave the library 7,500 square feet of space in his new plaza, Lake Vista Square. His donation also included $60,000. for books and furniture for the Jess Hann Branch. His generosity has continued as he has extended the library's rent free lease for 25 consecutive years.
With the revolution in technology, the library's role as an information provider had to change. Automation was unfolded in stages - in 1990 the Adult Department circulation went on-line. In 1991, the card catalogue was retired with the changeover to the on-line public access catalogue. The Children's Department, Northview and Jess Hann Branches became automated the following June.
When the 1990s began, few people had ever heard of "the information highway." By the mid 90s, the Library understood clearly what it meant and that we must not only navigate it ourselves but also help our users hone their information retrieval skills. We launched three Internet stations in our Reference area in April of 1998. This service was instantly popular and in such high demand that we needed to expand it immediately. Thanks to funding provided by Human Resources Development Canada, seven more Internet stations were added in early 1999. There is now Internet service at all branches.
