Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Library
405 Main Street,Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, B5A 1G3
Phone: (902) 742-5040
Fax: (902) 742-6920 Weekdays 10 am - 4 pm
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http://www.westerncounties.ca/

Library Hours

Sunday 1 pm - 4 pm (Closed June, July, August)
Monday - Thursday 10 am - 8 pm
Friday 10 am - 5 pm
Saturday 10 am - 4 pm

Events

To find out what's happening in this branch and around our region, please visit http://www.westerncounties.ca/events/thismonth.html

Public Computers & Equipment

• Meeting room available for bookings
• C@P Site
• Wheelchair accessible
• 6 computers with Internet and Microsoft Office
• 1 computer with Internet and WordPerfect
• 1 computer with Internet and WordPad only
• 1 express terminal with online library catalog
• 1 printer (b&w and colour)
• 1 photocopier (b&w)
• 2 microfilm readers/printers
• CCTV (print enlarger)
• Gates Computer Lab
• Fax service weekdays 10 am until 4 pm

Brief History of the Yarmouth Library

The concept of a free lending library was unknown in the early days of Yarmouth. The first library, the Yarmouth Book Society established in 1822, was one of private subscription with books available only to paying members. In those days, books were rare and very expensive. In 1872, Mr. L. E. Baker placed a large collection of 2500 books and curiosities in an upper floor of his building on Central Street as a Free Library for the use of the people of Yarmouth. It was opened on February 6, 1872 and was open to the public once a week.

In 1904, the library was incorporated as the Yarmouth Public Library and Museum and moved to the Eakins Block on Main Street in 1905. From 1932 until 1944, the Library was housed in the rented quarters of the old YMCA building where a considerable collection of museum artifacts was acquired in addition to the books.

After the fire of 1944, the books were moved into a small vacant store on John Street belonging to John Pitman. Many of the museum pieces were stored in the old Academy and were lost in the fire that destroyed the building a few years later. The store was vacated when the Library bought the old Richards house on Collins Street and the collection was relocated there.

The land behind the cenotaph was designated for a new library as early as 1944 by the Town Council with the stipulation that the Library find the money for a new building. In 1961 the Killam sisters, Miss Constance Killam and Mrs. Elizabeth Rodgers offered to donate the funds for a new library building in memory of their late brother Izaak Walton Killam. This native son of Yarmouth had, during his lifetime, risen to prominence in Canadian and International business, industry and finance.