Vision Statement, Mission Statement, Goals, and the Values we Embrace
On November 15, 2005, the SPL Board approved a new Vision Statement for the Library as well a new Mission Statement and Values which we at the Library embrace. They are as follows:
Our Vision
Through our response to their needs and the space we provide, every member of the public will recognize SPL as an essential resource for personal aspirations and community development.
Our Mission
The Stratford Public Library is a community-owned organization committed to the open provision of library resources and services that will enhance personal and community quality of life.
Our Goals
Every individual in the community, regardless of age or ability will be encouraged to receive, and will have access to, open provision of library resources.
Community organizations and associations will have access to open provision of library resources and will be encouraged to work together with the Library in pursuit of common objectives.
The community will be served by a library facility that enables and enriches the open provision of library resources and services in order to enrich personal and community quality of life.
The community will benefit from a library (including staff, board and associate groups) that has transformed itself into a learning organization that will respond to the needs of the community.
The Values we embrace
The following values guide our decision making, our relationships with staff and volunteers, and our service to our community:
- We are committed to intellectual freedom and freedom of access
- We treat all persons with dignity, respect, courtesy, and compassion
- We provide quality service without bias
- We encourage innovation and personal development
- We recognize and value the contributions of volunteers
- We appreciate and respond to the diversity of our community
Downloadable copy of Vision, Mission, Goals & Values
A Brief History of the Library Building
Unlike most Carnegie Libraries, the Stratford
Public Library does not have the name“Carnegie” above the doors. There is a reason
for this omission. When the wealthy
American industrialist and steel magnate, Andrew
Carnegie, made a $15,000 donation to
build Stratford’s public library, citizens were
divided as to whether the city should accept
the money. Some argued that Carnegie had
made his fortune by underpaying his employees,
and others even referred to his donation
as “blood money, accumulated at the sacrifice
of the working man” – referring to the labourers
who were shot and killed during the 1892
strike against Carnegie’s steel works in Pennsylvania.
However, after much public debate,
the donation was accepted and the library was
built, quietly opening its doors on September
19, 1903… without mention in the local newspaper! The official grand opening of the building
was held at the Centennial celebrations in
2003.
Although Stratford’s library was not the first “Carnegie library” built in this country, it is now
Canada’s oldest surviving Carnegie building
still functioning as a library. The library followed
the pattern of many Carnegie libraries: it
was built on a hill, necessitating steps, giving
the building an air of loftiness. The current
design reflects the talents of local architect
James Russell and the firm of Kyles, Kyles &
Garratt.
In 1903, the main entrance was located in the
centre of the north side of the building, facing
St. Andrew Street. A double set of stairs led to
the main doors. When the library was enlarged
by 1200 square feet in 1925-26, the entrance
was moved to the current east-facing location.
Lower Floor
Living in the basement was a condition of the library
custodian’s job in order to reduce insurance premiums.
The living quarters were complete with a parlour,
dining room, kitchen, pantry, three bedrooms
and a bathroom. This practice ended with the 1974-75 expansion of the library. The 1975 renovation
and addition replaced the custodian’s apartment with
a colourful children’s section. As well, a new audiovisual
department, and a lounge area featuring
young adult books, comfortable chairs and a music
listening area was added.
Children’s materials are still located on the lower
floor. Due to a lack of space on the main floor, some
adult materials – paperback fiction and music cds –
are also now housed on this floor. The former
lounge area is now being used for children’s fiction
and picture books, and the former audio-visual area
has become a Technical Services office in which
materials for this library, West Perth Public Library,
Perth East Public Library and the Stratford-Perth
Archives, are catalogued and processed. A small
program room, complete with a vibrant ocean-themed
mural on one wall, is also located on the
lower floor.
The Main Floor
The original main floor featured a large reading
room along the west wall, with a fireplace,
a “stack room”, and a “delivery room”. These
rooms were necessary because at that time,
patrons were not allowed to browse among the
stacks of books. Instead, they would choose
books from a printed catalogue, issued at the
time of registration. Library staff would enter
the stacks to retrieve the requested books and
bring them to the delivery room desk.
The original floor was of hard maple, and oak
wainscoting was along each wall except in the
stack room.
Later, when the public was allowed to browse
in the stacks, the narrow aisles and 7-foot high
shelves presented a challenge. It seems that
space was at a premium even at that time!
Portraits of three distinguished gentlemen
grace the north wall of the main floor.
- Andrew Carnegie, American millionaire
and philanthropist
- William (“Tiger”) Dunlop, surveyor of the
Huron Road in 1828-9 for the Canada
Company
- R. Thomas Orr wrote the request to
Andrew Carnegie for funds with which to
build the Stratford Public Library. He was
also the driving force behind the Stratford
park system.
As well, photos of the six chief librarians of the
Library’s first hundred years can be seen on
the wall of the staircase to the top floor.
The Top Floor
In the original library, an assembly hall was
located where the present-day auditorium
now exists, complete with a stage along
the west wall. There was a history room
where there are now offices, and the papers
from the history collection are now a
part of the Stratford-Perth Archives. For a
number of years beginning in 1955, the
Library became classroom space for both
St. Aloysius and Hamlet elementary
schools.
For some years in the 1960’s and 1970’s,
the children’s library was located here. It
was moved to the lower floor in 1975 when
it was revealed that the upper floor was not
adequately supported for the weight of the
collection.
The top floor now features a multi-purpose
auditorium, a computer equipment room, a
staff room, administrative offices and storage.
One of the best views of the downtown
heritage district is from the corner office on
this floor. From here you may see the
Perth County Court House, the Stratford-
Perth Archives, the county gaol, with the
Shakespearean Gardens beside the Avon
River in the background.
The Gardens
The beautiful flower beds on the front lawn were
designed by Stratford resident Joan Dickson. They
were planted and are still maintained by the Stratford
Horticultural Society. In the 1800’s and early 1900’s,
Central Public School was located on this same
ground; a plaque indicating this is visible on a large
rock on the lawn.
