Cape Breton Regional Library

CBRL Events Timeline

1930s

1937
The "Act to Provide for the Support of Regional Libraries" is passed on April 17th in the Provincial Legislature.

1938
In Nora Bateson's "Library Survey of Nova Scotia" three public libraries are identified in Cape Breton: Sydney Public Library; Baddeck Public Library and the People's Library, Reserve Mines. The report identifies Cape Breton as a special area for service.

1940s

1942
Glace Bay begins efforts to establish a Public Library.

1943
New Waterford opens their Public Library. Father J.J. Tompkins advocates that New Waterford, Glace Bay, and Sydney work together to establish a Public Library.

1944
The Town of Dominion, New Waterford Credit Union Limited and the Town of Glace Bay resolve to endorse Cape Breton Regional Library.

1949
Approximately 20 organizations in industrial Cape Breton voice support for establishing a Regional Library System for Cape Breton.

1950s

1950
Miss Ruby Wallace arrives from Ontario to become Chief Librarian for the newly established Regional System. On August 31 the Cape Breton Regional Library Headquarters and Sydney Branch Library are officially opened. In the same year library branches are opened in Dominion, Glace Bay, Louisbourg, New Waterford, North Sydney and the Cape Breton County Bookmobile.

1951
Regional Library Branches are opened in Donkin, Florence, and Reserve Mines.

1958
The Baddeck Library and the new Victoria County Bookmobile become part of the Cape Breton Regional Library System.

1959
Fire destroys the Court House which houses the Sydney Public Library and the Headquarters of the CBRL. Upwards of 80,000 books are destroyed including the prized Almon and McLennan collections and many other valuable books.

1960s

1960
The James McConnell Memorial Library, the new Sydney branch, is officially opened on May 30.

1967
Main-A-Dieu Public Library begins operations in May.

1970s

1971
The Martha Hollett Memorial Library opens in Sydney Mines.

1980s

1982
Miss Mary Fraser, who became the second Regional Librarian in 1970, retires. Mr. Ian MacIntosh becomes the Regional Librarian.

1990s

1993
Victoria North Regional Branch Library officially opens on March 5 in Ingonish.

1996
Cape Breton Regional Library offers free public access to the World Wide Web.

2000s

2000
Cape Breton Regional Library is 50 years proud.

2010s

2010
The Cape Breton Regional Library and the James McConnell Library celebrate 60 years of service