Timmins gathers to celebrate 100 years of literacy

Timmins is celebrating 100 years of literacy – with the local library marking its first centennial.

Dozens of families and agencies gathered Wednesday at Hollinger Park to look back at what started as a small community library.

Speakers reflected on the Timmins Library’s humble beginnings in 1924, launched in the city’s public school by its principal, its growth since and importance to the community.

“I would go in there with my bag and walk out with books, said former mayor Jamie Lim.

“I honestly felt like the luckiest kid in the world. Libraries are nurturing. They build healthy, joyful communities.”

Lim served as mayor in the early 2000s, helping push for the library to have a modern building that it now calls home.

“I was one of the many young children who got to see that there was a bigger world because of the books that were at the Timmins library and the librarians who encouraged hope and learning,” said Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus.

Angus said launching a library in a mining town encouraged people to dream big.

Mayor Michelle Boileau said it continues to do so today, with its modern programming for people of all ages.

“One of the principles of the library is that it be accessible to everyone within the City of Timmins,” Boileau said.

“And they do such an excellent job there, the staff and the board, in ensuring that accessibility, the inclusivity. It's just such a welcoming place.”

The library CEO Carole-Ann Demers said the team is always brewing new ideas to attract children to expand their knowledge and explore.

“We’ll have sewing, we’ll have, podcasting equipment, we'll have 3D printers, all kinds of cool stuff for all ages,” Demers said.

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“That is coming up in September. We always got something up our sleeves at the library. All parents need to, kind of, get in there and get their kids reading because our literacy rates are dropping and we're just working against that.”

Demers said her staff loves finding creative ways to get children interested in reading – and that it helps build a foundation for success.

“Take your children, take your grandchildren and do it often,” Lim added.