CRAPAUD BRANCH of P.E.I. LIBRARIES

Crapaud was very fortunate in being chosen as the site for a. Branch of the P.E.I. Libraries in 1933, and the following account, pro- vided by Dr. L. M. Callbeck, Summerside, then a resident of Crapaud, tells of its organization.

“The will of the late Andrew Carnegie requested ‘that circulating Libraries be provided in isolated areas of North America.’ The trustees of the Carnegie Corporation selected P.E.I. as suitable for such an or- ganization, the other being in a section of British Columbia.

“In October, 1933, Miss Nora E. Bateson, Director of Carnegie Lib- raries for P'.E.I., attended an organization meeting in Crapaud Commun- ity Hall. Miss Bateson named Dr. L. M. Callbeck Chairman of a committee to plan a financial campaign, provide a suitable Library room, and secure.- a local librarian.

“On this committee were: Dr. N. R. Bovyer; Rev. Geo. Ayres; Rev. J. L. Lund; Rev. Fred Crossman; Rev. E. R. G. Bridgewater; Father C. Pitre; Mrs. Frank MacDonald, representing the Women’s Institute; Mrs. Verner Moore, representing the L.O.B.A.; and Mrs. Creamer representing

C.W.L.

“Enough money was contributed by Crapaud, Westmoreland, Rose Valley, Inkerman, Hampton, DeSable, Victoria, Augustine Cove, Tryon,. North Tryon, Melville Road, and Appin Road, to meet all expenses incur- red in establishing a Library Centre and have a credit surplus of $40.

“Crapaud had the unique record of being the only Branch free of debt on its official opening.

“Wood and Co. contributed free space on the second floor of their store. Mrs. Donald MacLean donated a suitable reading table, and others contributed material and labour.

“An enthusiastic meeting was held in Crapaud Hall in the afternoon of March 7, 1934, to mark the official opening of the Library. Dr. L. M. Callbeck was Chairman, and Miss Nora Bateson outlined the work of the Library and its importance to the communities. All the Clergymen of the communities were on the platform, and expressed themselves with

enthusiasm, as did some of the ladies of the committee.

“Two hundred membership cards were issued on the opening day by the capable Librarian, Miss Mary Newsome. About one thousand books

were placed in the shelves.”

In 1946, Miss Newsome resigned as Librarian to take a position in the Charlottetown Library, and was succeeded by Mrs. Cora Leard.

<9

THE NEW LIBRARY

The Library functioned very satisfactorily and served a wide area from its headquarters in Wood’s Store, until, in 1946, Mr. Wood found he needed the space in his business and asked that other provision be made for its housing.

A public meeting was called on September 9, 1948, with Mr. Bram- well Chandler, head of the Library Service, Charlottetown, in attendance. Dr. Bovyer was appointed Chairman, and Mrs. Thomas Best as Sec’y Treasurer. To these were added: Spurgeon Clark and Austin Smith of

«a 112 )9»—