In 1864, a group of villagers met in the little Village Hall on Athol Street and decided to establish a Mechanics Institute Library. According to newspaper accounts of the time, this was not the first attempt at such an institution, but the community believed that this time, with proper attention and supervision, it could thrive. The only access that the community had to reading materials at that time was through the small library of the United Common and Grammar School.

Pioneers and founders of the Oshawa community were among the first officers and committee members of the Institute. Serving as President was William McGill, and as librarian, William Dickie. Their goal was to provide an all-encompassing library based on the model of the Mechanics’ Institutes, which had its origins in Edinburgh, Scotland where the world's first Mechanics' Institute was established in October 1821.

The Oshawa Mechanics’ Institute and Library Association was located in a rented room in the back of Mr. Allin‘s book store, located on the east side of Simcoe Street, just south of King Street.

It served as a reading room and offered courses as well as a collection of books and magazines acquired for tradesmen who wanted to improve their knowledge and skills. A membership ticket was issued for a $2.00 annual fee which entitled the member to admission to debates, lectures and entertainment and to use of the library. Additional sums of money were obtained for the purpose of procuring new and interesting works for replenishing the library shelves every year. The funds allowed the Institute to provide a Reading Room containing a number of leading English, American and Canadian papers. and a superior course of lectures and other entertainments for the winter evenings. Given their small premises, arrangements were made with the Trustees of both the Christian and Presbyterian Churches as well as the Sons’ Hall to hold larger gatherings in their buildings.

After nearly 20 years in operation, The Mechanics’ Institute membership began to decline, and with less funds coming in, library books became dog-eared. Beset with difficulties, the Institute had no choice but to sell off its assets, the books being purchased by Dr. Francis Rae, who later became mayor of Oshawa.

In the early 1880s, Oshawa went into a period where there was no public library or reading room. In 1884, the editor of the Oshawa Vindicator published an impassioned editorial about the need for a library that made the citizens take notice.

In 1887, a new Mechanics’ Institute library was established in rooms over Higginbottom’s Drug Store on Simcoe Street, later occupied for many years by Murray Johnston’s Men’s Wear. The new library provided a smoking room where chess and checkers could be played. By 1889 the library consisted of 1,003 volumes. Library membership totaled 199 people.

1890 – 1914 “There is not such a cradle of democracy upon the earth as the Free Public Library, this republic of letters where neither rank, office, nor wealth receives the slightest consideration.” - Andrew Carnegie

For the better part of the 1800s, community libraries in Ontario relied on private funding, membership fees and a committed group of citizens to organize and run them. The Oshawa Mechanics Institute was no exception. In 1884, the Institute had to close for a period of time due to financial difficulties. This temporary closing galvanized Oshawa citizens to speak up at town meetings and to write editorials to the local newspaper about their desire for a free public library available to all.

The Ontario government passed the “Free Libraries Act, 1882”. This act allowed for the establishment of a library in any town, city or incorporated village. Oshawa’s Town Council appointed its first Oshawa Public Library Board in July 1898. This Board was empowered to take over the assets of the Oshawa Mechanics Institute, raise funds from local taxes and receive government grants. The newly formed Public Library delivered service for several years in crowded, rented quarters.

By the early 1900’s, the population of Oshawa was just over 5,500. The need for a more spacious library was apparent. The rented space could no longer accommodate the growing collection of over 4,000 volumes. A solution had to be found.