About Us |
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Welcome to the Saint John Free Public LibraryThe Saint John Free Public Library provides access to a municipal collection of more than 215,000 items in its three branches and a provincial collection of more than 1.8 million items, as well as to programs and services ranging from storytime to public lectures to services such as reference, inter-library loans and public access computer workstations. These programs and services are designed to respond to the educational, informational, cultural and recreational needs of residents of the province. The library supports economic and social development and promotes self-reliance by providing opportunities for Saint John residents and other users to enhance their knowledge and their creative capabilities. The Saint John Free Public Library is part of the New Brunswick Public Library System, which is a partnership between the provincial government and participating municipalities. The provision of public library services is regulated by the New Brunswick Public Libraries Act. Click on a link below to learn more about: Mission statementStructure of the provincial library system Support Your Library Senior staff Meet the Library Board Annual Report Contact Us Library History Employment and Volunteer Opportunities |
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Mission statementOur MissionThe Saint John Free Public Library supports all who seek information, learning and enjoyment by providing free access to resources, books, and other media in a welcoming environment. Our VisionOur library is a vibrant hub of activity integral to an engaged community, working to build on the foundation of our past, to innovate for our present, and to explore our future. Our past, Our present, Our future – Our Library!
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Structure of the provincial library system |
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Support Your LibraryVolunteer – Click to see what you can do. Adopt-A-Book – Here is a very personal way to contribute to your local library and an opportunity to honour someone of your choice. Library staff have compiled lists of titles that they would like to add to the collections. All you have to do is select a title or a subject, fill in our form (click here for a printable version) and provide payment. In return, a personalized name plate will be placed in the book, you will receive a tax receipt for the amount donated, and you get to be the first person to read your selection. Donate books you no longer need. Some may be processed for our collections. Others may raise money for the library by being sold at Book Ends (in the Central Branch) or the annual book sale. We CAN use…
Sorry, but we CANNOT use…
Contribute to the New Brunswick Public Library Foundation’s current fund raising campaign, and other local fund raising events, such as book sales and silent auctions. Make a bequest or a memorial donation. Use your library – Healthy circulation statistics and program participation go a long way towards ensuring the future of your local library.
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Senior staffCentral Library at Market SquareLibrary Director: Joann Hamilton-Barry Head of Reference Services: Keith MacKinnon Children’s Librarian: Heather McKend Young Adult and Adult Services Librarian: Carole MacFarquhar Circulation Supervisor: Ellen Fraser East BranchLibrary Manager: Emily King West BranchLibrary Director: Robin Sexton-Mayes
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Meet the Library BoardJason Alcorn Patti Chisholm, Vice Chair Nicholas Barfoot, Chair of Finance Suzanne Ball, Chair Maryanne Lewell E. Donald McKim Bridget McGale Michael Richard Malcolm Somerville Contact any Board Member at sjfpl@gnb.ca Secretary to the Board:Joann Hamilton-Barry Library Director Municipal Liaison Officer:Patrick Woods City Manager City of Saint John PO Box 1971 Saint John NB E2L 4L1 Work: 658-2951
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Annual ReportDownload highlights from the 2006 Annual Report by clicking on the link at the right. |
 2006_annual_report_eng.pdf |
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Contact UsCentral Library at Market Square1 Market Square, Saint John, NB, E2L 4Z6 Phone: (506) 643-7220 Fax: (506) 643-7225 sjfpl@gnb.ca East Branch545 Westmorland Rd.,Saint John, NB, E2J 2G5 Phone: (506) 643-7250 Fax: (506) 696-5324 eastbranch.publiclibrary@gnb.ca West BranchLancaster Mall, 621 Fairville Blvd., Saint John, NB E2M 4X5 Phone: (506) 643-7260 Fax: (506) 672-1752 westbranch.publiclibrary@gnb.ca
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Library HistorySaint John library history goes back nearly two centuries. The Saint John Society Library, founded in 1811, is claimed as the first library in New Brunswick. It was followed by a number of subscription libraries. Canada’s first free public library was established in Saint John, modelled after those existing in England since the 1850’s. An 1874 proposal was delayed by the devastating fire of 1877. The idea was revived in 1879 as a means to replace the many private libraries lost in the fire. Books and contributions and a $500 provision by the City embodied the Act passed by the NB Legislature in 1883 to establish a “Free Public Library in the City of Saint John”. It opened with a collection of 2285 books. Today the collection holds over 215,000 items. Until 1890, books were purchased with funds raised by a Ladies Committee. In 1904 the library was relocated in a new building constructed with a grant from Andrew Carnegie, the only Carnegie library in the Maritimes. The main library operated in this building for 79 years, before moving to new and expanded quarters in Market Square in 1983. This move facilitated a major automation initiative implemented in 1987. Since then, automated services enhancements have developed from office automation through a number of upgrades and changes in software applications to full public access to technology opportunities, supported by government and private grants. Collections have grown from 2285 books in 1883 to over 215,000 books, audio cassettes, videos, CDs, and DVDs. Today, the Saint John Free Public Library consists of this Central Branch and two satellite branches. West Branch, the first mall library in the Maritimes, opened in Lancaster Mall in 1967. Its initial annual circulation of 58,193 increased to over 100,000. East Branch opened in 1968 in Loch Lomond Mall with 5000 books and 1925 patrons. It moved to its current location in Westmorland Place in 1973, where it offers over 26,000 items, including a large talking book collection, to 6300 patrons. * Based on information in “The Story of the Saint John Free Public Library 1883-2003 and notes on other Libraries from 1811.” Published by the Commissioners of the Saint John Free Public Library in 2003.
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Employment and Volunteer OpportunitiesEmployment OpportunitiesThese are posted on the New Brunswick Public Library Services Website. Click here to see what is available. Volunteer OpportunitiesVolunteers contribute to the library in a variety of ways. They help with collections, mailings and special events, such as the annual book sale. They also make major contributions as members of Public Library Boards or the New Brunswick Public Libraries Board. Volunteer applicants must be at least 18 years old for the majority of the Library’s volunteer positions. However, students can help with program preparations in the Children’s Department. Contact your local branch to see what you can do.
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