Kingsville's former Carnegie Library

is a thriving community arts hub

Kingsville’s Carnegie Library opened in 1913. It was one of 111 libraries built in Ontario with financial assistance from a foundation established by the Scottish American industrialist Andrew Carnegie. These days the building is home to the Kingsville Business Improvement Area, the Arts Society of Kingsville, and the Kingsville Music Society.

One feature I’ve noticed as part of every Carnegie library I’ve seen is the raised first floor. Apparently, Carnegie favoured this design aspect, as a way of symbolizing the ascent to higher learning. He also liked there to be a lantern or other light source at the top of the steps, to represent the potential of enlightenment.

We can see these features in the architectural sketch below, of Kingsville’s former Carnegie library.

I’ve been researching the Carnegie libraries, and Kingsville’s in particular. I’m writing a short mystery story set there.

I dropped in to the former library on the weekend to view the current exhibition of works by local student artists, and to pick up a cheque. I’m a member of the Arts Society, and they have my books for sale in the gift shop.

It brought me great joy to see my first mystery The Book of Answers displayed prominently amongst a selection of works by local authors.