The Toronto Mechanics' Institute, originally named the York Mechanics' Institute, was an educational institution in 19th century Toronto that became the city's first public library. It was one of a series of mechanics' institutes that were set up around the world after becoming popular in Britain. Established in 1830, it was designed to provide technical and adult education.[1]
Paying members had access to lectures, courses, and a library. In 1853 the Institute erected a new permanent home at the corner of Church and Adelaide Streets, but it struggled to attract new paying members. In 1883 the Institute was thus transformed into a municipally-supported public reference library. The idea was promoted by alderman John Hallam, but it met considerable resistance in city council. No other city in Canada at this time had a completely free public library. Hallam brought the initiative to a public referendum, and the citizens of Toronto voted in its favour on January 1, 1883. The 5,000 book collection of the Mechanics' Institute became the first books of the Toronto Public Library and James Bain was selected as the first chief librarian. As chief librarian, he focused on building the library's special collection documenting Canadian history. He also applied to Andrew Carnegie for a grant to build more branches and to replace the Mechanics' Institute as the central reference library.
The building remained the main branch of the Toronto Public Library until 1909 when the Carnegie grant allowed the library to open its new location at College and St. George (today the Koffler Centre). It remained a library branch until 1927, and was torn down in 1949. Today a condominium complex (84 Adelaide Street East) stands on the site, although it is marked with a heritage plaque.
toronto, mechanics, institute, originally, named, york, mechanics, institute, educational, institution, 19th, century, toronto, that, became, city, first, public, library, series, mechanics, institutes, that, were, around, world, after, becoming, popular, brit. The Toronto Mechanics Institute originally named the York Mechanics Institute was an educational institution in 19th century Toronto that became the city s first public library It was one of a series of mechanics institutes that were set up around the world after becoming popular in Britain Established in 1830 it was designed to provide technical and adult education 1 The first home of the Toronto Public Library Paying members had access to lectures courses and a library In 1853 the Institute erected a new permanent home at the corner of Church and Adelaide Streets but it struggled to attract new paying members In 1883 the Institute was thus transformed into a municipally supported public reference library The idea was promoted by alderman John Hallam but it met considerable resistance in city council No other city in Canada at this time had a completely free public library Hallam brought the initiative to a public referendum and the citizens of Toronto voted in its favour on January 1 1883 The 5 000 book collection of the Mechanics Institute became the first books of the Toronto Public Library and James Bain was selected as the first chief librarian As chief librarian he focused on building the library s special collection documenting Canadian history He also applied to Andrew Carnegie for a grant to build more branches and to replace the Mechanics Institute as the central reference library The building remained the main branch of the Toronto Public Library until 1909 when the Carnegie grant allowed the library to open its new location at College and St George today the Koffler Centre It remained a library branch until 1927 and was torn down in 1949 Today a condominium complex 84 Adelaide Street East stands on the site although it is marked with a heritage plaque References edit Mechanics Institute Double anniversary marks momentous moments for Toronto Donald Jones Toronto Star Mar 5 1988 pg M 3External links editWilliam Dunlop An address delivered to the York Mechanics institution March 1832 Toronto W J Coates 1832 nbsp Media related to Mechanics Institute in Toronto at Wikimedia Commons 43 39 05 N 79 22 29 W 43 6515 N 79 3746 W 43 6515 79 3746 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Toronto Mechanics 27 Institute amp oldid 1162852915, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
