History of the Merritt Branch
1883
Citizens meet in Merritton town hall to establish a mechanics institute and library. The Merritton library opens four months later in a room in the town hall. The bookcases and counter were donated by a carpenter in exchange for memberships for himself and his family.
1924
A new Merritton library building is completed with the assistance of an $8,500 grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. The population of Merritton was 2,574. The new library building opened at 344 Merritt Street, just across the street from Town Hall, with 2,937 books.
1957
The Merritt library was well-reviewed for its impressive reading list boasting educational materials on language, skill-building, and DIY how-to books.
1961
The Town of Merritton, Village of Port Dalhousie and Grantham Township were all incorporated as part of St. Catharines in 1961. With amalgamation, the Merritton library (and its 8,100 books) became the first branch of the St. Catharines Public Library system.
1965
The need for new library in south St. Catharines is recognized with the Niagara Pen Centre suggested as a possible future location.
“The Merritton branch is not strategically located for the city and since it is used by few adults, it was suggested it might be used for a children’s library and a base for the bookmobile,” one newspaper article reports.
1966
In January 1966, the Niagara Pen Centre was selected as the new location for a Merritton library branch serving the south end of St. Catharines.
The Niagara Pen Centre Branch was later opened on Thursday, November 24, 1966.
1968
On May 4, 1968, the Merritton Branch, located at 344 Merritt Street, closes due to funding cuts and declining use as Niagara Pen Centre branch circulation rises. The majority of its 4,751 books go to the Grantham Branch.
1986
Niagara Pen Centre Branch closes and the library relocates to 149 Hartzel Road, William Hamilton Merritt Branch opens on Hartzel Road.
2003
In 2003, the Merritt Branch changes units within the same plaza at 149 Hartzel Road.
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St. Catharines, ON, L2R 7K2
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