Brampton Library

The Brampton Library is a system of public libraries in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. In the 2003 Ontario Public Library Week (October 20 to 26), the library was rebranded with a new logo, and a change in name from the Brampton Public Library to the simpler and more direct Brampton Library had taken place. The library currently has eight branches, with a collection of more than 562,000 books, magazines, large print materials, audio books, and DVDs. It has a staff of 160 full time and part time employees. Todd Kyle is the chief executive officer of the Brampton Library, a position that replaces that of executive director.

As early as 1858, a library was founded in the Mechanic's Institute, serving 50 people in what was then classified as Brampton. These 360 volumes, plus a federal grant of $160, were the starting blocks for the first actual public library in Brampton, founded in 1887 in the Golding Building on Queen Street. As printing presses were still relatively expensive to operate, and thus book prices high, the village owned facility had full written contracts with patrons to check out books. Only the librarian and the library board were allowed to take books off the closely watched shelves. In 1907, the library successfully received a grant from US steel magnate Andrew Carnegie to build a new library. Carnegie was a self made millionaire with "very little formal education", and a well known drive to bring "learning to the masses". Records show donations to 1700 libraries, and the hundreds of facilities across the continent still bearing his name are living proof. Despite being a supporter of culture in general, Carnegie was opposed to the multipurpose facility the village intended to build, as it exceeded his default start up donation of $10,000. After a meeting with the Brampton Board of Trade's R. J. Copeland, and a promise from Brampton itself to up its funding from $1000 to $1250 a year, Carnegie provided another $12,500 for the town's long time showpiece facility. In 1946, the Brampton library took on a relatively novel concept for the era, in letting residents under the age of 16 sign out books from the collection. During the 1960s and 1970s, the system expanded to fit the needs of a growing population. The expansion included the Northwood Park Branch (Flowertown and McLaughlin), South Branch (at Brampton Mall on Main Street at Nanwood), and Heart Lake Branch. The Heart Lake branch would later become known as "Cyril Clark", after a Chinguacousy reeve. In 1972, developer Bramalea Consolidated Developments Ltd constructed the Civic Centre facility for the town of Bramalea, the cornerstone of which was officially laid as part of the finished building during Brampton's Centennial celebrations in 1973. Along with government offices and a theatre, this facility included a large space for a central library branch. When Brampton and Bramalea merged in 1974, their library systems became one. Bramalea's Chinguacousy Branch joined Brampton's Main Branch (which had replaced the Carnegie library with a larger building next door, and which was later renamed to "Four Corners Branch" due to its location near downtown Brampton's Four Corners) and others, becoming the system's resource library. As the reference branch, Chinguacousy was host to an extensive collection of microfilm, local history materials, and genealogy resources. In 2008 the majority of these materials were moved to the Four Corners location in the newly renovated Local History section on the second floor. Books by mail services ended in 1975. It will still assess fines for materials not returned, for those returned in damaged condition, or for holds that are not picked up.

NameLocationDatesNotesImageChinguacousyBramalea9050 Bramalea Road 2023 present Formerly at 150 Central Park Drive from 1972 or 1973 and was located inside the Bramalea Civic Centre. Brampton was the first public library system in Ontario to acquire federal and provincial case law records. The case law collection was opened in this branch in 1978, on the prompt of the Central Ontario Regional Library System. This branch was renovated in late 2016 and early 2017, and was reopened in August 2017. This branch removed to Chinguacousy Park in 2023 due to Toronto Metropolitan University's (TMU) new medical school after city council voted to gift the building. Services have been reduced at current location limited to 10,000 square feet versus the 30,000 at the Civic Centre. Cyril ClarkHeart Lake20 Loafer's Lake LaneOpened 1985Opened September 21, 1985, it was said to be the first public library in Canada to be fully computerized. The 12,000 sq. ft. structure cost $1.5 million, and was to house 30,000 books and audio visual items. This replaced the North West Interim Site after several years of operation. It is a multi use facility attached to Mount Pleasant Village School and Community Centre. SpringdaleSpringdale10705 Bramalea Road Opened 2018In 1991, it was announced for a 2006 opening. Huttonville8405 Financial Dr. Opened 2020

NameLocationDatesNotesImageBramaleaBramalea106 East DriveClosed around 1972 or 1973This branch was replaced by the Chinguacousy branch. It was located on East Drive, just east of Bramalea. CarnegieDowntown55 Queen Street East1907 1974It was funded by Andrew Carnegie; see Carnegie library. It was replaced by the Four Corners branch, in the building immediately to the east. The building is now home to the Brampton Concert Band and the Jazz Mechanics. At the 1938 annual general meeting, it was announced that Wm. Perkins Bull's "pioneer and Indian relics" would be housed at the library on display. When former Brampton High School principal William James Fenton died in 1952, it was decided that the proposed addition to the structure would be named in his honour. County CourtFletcher's Creek South201 County Court Boulevard1988 1991This branch was replaced by the Fletcher's Creek branch. It was located in a commercial office building. Fletcher's CreekFletcher's Creek South7700 Hurontario Street South1991 1997This branch replaced the County Court branch. It was housed in the City South Plaza in two floors of what is now professional office space. The second floor was renovated in 1991. The branch was replaced by the South Fletcher's branch. Northeast Interim SiteSpringdale55 Mountainash Road, Unit 24Closed Oct 1, 2016Located at the Springdale Square shopping centre. It was closed based on expected availability of a new near by branch, which was not yet ready when the branch was closed. Northwest InterimMount Pleasant10500 Creditview RoadClosed 2011This branch was opened to serve the rapid population growth in the area. This branch was replaced by the Mount Pleasant branch. Northwood ParkFlowertown and Northwood Park10 Flowertown AvenueClosed 28 June 1975With usage dropping in 1974, with people heading to the larger branch, the library distributed 3000 flyers to area households in February 1975. The branch was closed due to budget cutbacks and staff relocated, at the same time as the South branch. The branch was closed due to budget cutbacks and staff relocated, at the same time as the Northwood Park branch. The library system considered South branch too small, and asked council for new facilities west of Main Street South; the plan was turned down by council. A branch would be needed in the area within five years.