"Six Nations Public Library to Relocate"

Ohsweken - The Six Nations Public Library Board is in the process of relocating the library to the old Council Chambers which has been vacant for several months now.

They have an agreement with the Six Nations Council that they will be the only occupants. They are presently sharing their building with the New Credit-Six Nations Alcohol and Drug Abuse Centre. However, it has been disclosed that the Centre staff have abused their privileges and the Library Board were dissatisfied with the arrangement. This prompted their decision for relocation.

Termination of the agreement will require a year's written notice by either party. The Board has agreed to make no permanent structural changes to the traditional design of the building's main room (Council Chambers) nor install any permanent fixtures which might detract from its former historical roll.

They will be fully responsible for costs involved in any renovations or modifications made to any of the other rooms behind the council chambers.

Also they will assume responsibility for all public utility costs and be responsible for adequate maintenance of all interior of the building as well as insurance coverage.

No formal museum facilities are to be maintained on the premises, other than whatever collections that Six Nations Public Library Board may decide to gather on its own. Furthur, damages caused through vandalism or misuse of the public washrooms attached to the Council house is the sole responsibility of the Six Nations Band Council.

The Library Board has been allowed a 30 day transition period to relocate the Library. This period extending from August 9th.

Many times it has happened in a community where a few community-spirited members worked diligently towards a goal which they firmly believed would benefit everyone in the area. This was apparently the case in the creation of the Public Library on the Reserve.

The whole idea originated some 13 years ago by Mrs. Bernice Loft Winslow former resident and Six Nations Teacher. The first meeting of the Library Board was held on March 18, 1966 in the old Post Office building beside Styres Funeral Home, Ohsweken.

Prior to the first meeting, the Ohsweken Women's Institute were named as the Library Board. They were Mrs. Earl C. Jamieson, Board Chairman; Mrs. Gordon Longboat, Vice-Chairman and Mrs. Cameron Isaac, Secretary-Treasurer.

Six People were present at that first meeting. Besides the Board there were Mrs. Cecil Montour, Mrs. Arthur Anderson and Mrs. Clifford Styres who offered the front part of the Post Office to serve as the Library.

This of course never materialized as late in the year the group was recognized by Six Nations Council and were given permission to use the Nurse's Residence in Ohsweken.

The group worked very hard to get funds to start the Library. They held dances, bake sales, euchre parties and dinners. They also solicited cash donations from reserve residents and organizations, both on and off the Reserve.

Three years after that first meeting, the Library Board set June 14, 1969 as the day the official opening and dedication of the Six Nations Public Library.

Members of the Soroptimist Club of North Toronto and North York attended the opening and presented the Librarian, Mrs. Lillian Montour with a copy of the book "The Canadian Indian", an illustrated history of the Great Tribes of Canada by Fraser Symington, for the Library. The same Club also donated money and furnishings for the Board Room located on the second floor of the building.

Also Mr. Walter Rutherford of Brantford had donated several books and pamphlets on Indians and $950 was presented by Mr. Stanley Cooper of the Dixie Cooksville Rotary Club.

At the Opening the Library Board received congratulatory greetings from federal parliament, provincial parliament, the City of Brantford, Department of Indian Affairs and many other organizations. Mrs. Bernice Loft Winslow did the honours in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Other members on the Board throughout the three years of planning were Mrs. Walter Hunter, Mrs. Arnold Hill, Mrs. George Jamieson, Mrs. George Garlow, Mrs. Ethel Wright, Mr. Norman Lickers, Mrs. Rena Hill, Ms. Sylvia Poodry, Richard Isaac, Frank Montour and Mrs. R. Point.

Last year the Library Board decided that the existing building was not adequate for their expanding operation; so, they approached the Six Nations Council with the idea of demolishing the present building or donating an alternate site where they could build a new Library. This particular project never materialized but the Library continued to grow.

The Library now has a juvenile membership of 929 and an adult membership of 944. They own approximately 4,237 books as opposed to 1,402 in 1968. They have 36 encyclopedia sets, 56 large print books and 3 talking books. They have 17 different titled magazines and they loan films at a rate of 15 per month. They also have an inter-library loan system.

The Public Library sponsors creative writing and oral communication contests for grades 7 and 8 and as well donate to the cross-country.

They sponsor story hours for the children and special programs featuring puppet shows, a magician, folk singing and Max Theatre Groups.

The present Library Board consists of Chairlady, Mrs. Olive Moses; Secretary, Keith Lazenby; Treasurer, Arliss Skye; Peter Smith, Council Representative; Rev. Robert Hayne, Ministerial Association Representative; Ruth Isaac, Teacher's Association Representative and Mrs. Anne General, Librarian.