Friends of McConnell Library
Writing Contest Winner

essay

The Friends of the McConnell Library held a writing contest for grades 3-6, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the McConnell Library. The winner of the contest was Megan Digou, who won a gift certificate to Coles Book Store, courtesy of the Cape Breton Post. Above, Inga Milburn awards the prize to Megan at the annual Read-A-Thon in Wentworth Park.

 

The James McConnell Memorial Library

by Megan Digou

  

The James McConnell Memorial Library is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.  It's named after an old Mayor of Sydney.  When it first opened, the Governor General cut the ribbon.  The site where it is now, used to be the Falmouth Street Presbyterian Church. There was a fire, and the fire destroyed it so Katharine MacLennan donated the property so that they could build a new library. There was a library before that, in the courthouse, but there was also a fire there.  In 1959, the library began to build up with a lot of effort.  It was complete in 1960.  It was a small, cramped building and there wasn’t enough room. In 1989, there was a big expansion which made enough room for more books and administrative space, and children's programs. Miss Eileen Kingsbury was the first to present the programs in the existing building.

 My grandmother, Stasia, used to visit when she was 9, 10 and 11 years old. She would visit every 2 weeks, to return and get more books.  It really helped with school when she had reports and projects to do.  The only way she could get there was on a bus, but she still liked it there.

 Miss Mary Fraser was the very first librarian to work at James McConnell Memorial Library which is located on 50 Falmouth Street in downtown Sydney on Cape Breton Island.

 The Adopt-A-Book program launched on December 12th,1995. If you donate money to that specific program, you will select from a list of books, and when it comes in the library will put a bookplate on it acknowledging the adopters contribution.

 In 1978, they finished installation of a wheelchair ramp just outside of the library for handicapped people who wish to visit.  When you walk into the library, you will see the administrative space with all the librarians standing behind it willing to help you.  If you look to the right you will see computers, a children's section, and books. If you look to the left, you will see bigger sized books, over 6,000 videos, and a couple tables for you to sit down and do research on.