Saskatoon public library gets new, modern reference room in 1956

On this day in 1956, reference librarian Alice Turner worked in the new, modernized reference room at the Saskatoon public library.

Published Sep 14, 2023 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 2 minute read

Every Thursday, we feature an image from the StarPhoenix archives, curated by the City of Saskatoon Archives. Today, we see the Saskatoon Public Library’s modern reference room, which was opened the year before, from Sept. 14, 1956. Reference librarian Alice Turner sits at the desk in the foreground. (City of Saskatoon Archives StarPhoenix Collection S-SP-B4480-2)

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From the StarPhoenix archives:

An invitation has been extended to Saskatonians to attend the official opening of the new children’s room at the Public Library main building, from 8 to 9:30 o’clock Tuesday evening, Sept. 18.

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Visitors will be given an opportunity to see the ultra-modern reference room, added last year, the auditorium, back in use after a number of years; reading rooms, office, and all section of the building.

Chief librarian. J.S. Wood, said he felt it was a dream come true, now that the library occupied the entire Twenty-Third Street building.

The city health offices were housed in the upper storey room the time it was built in 1929 until May of this year. Remodelling has been completed and equipment and books are in place.

It’s a far cry from 1913 when in a basement room on Second Avenue, the Saskatoon Public Library opened with a total book stock of 900 volumes. Nowadays more than 80,000 are in circulation, there are 4,400 in the reference department and circulation in 1955 was 349,711 …

The new development at the main building, is the pride and joy of the chief librarian and his staff.

For the first time, there is a proper cataloguing room. Previously the staff for this section was crowded into a small office on the main floor. The children’s section includes a spacious story room. Community groups will be able to use the basement auditorium, with its stage and accommodation for an audience of 150. The reading room, now in quarters formerly housing the children’s section, is bright and airy, and there is accommodation in the basement for stack rooms.

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Throwback Thursday is a weekly StarPhoenix series where we revisit photos from Saskatoon’s past.

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