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BRANTFORD CITT HISTORY 237 Brantford had a library, known as a Mechanic's Institute ;TH~ at an early period of its history, even before the rebellion y' of 1837. This event led to a temporary extermination, but on, or about the year 1853 it was revived. The books were first kept in rooms on the north side of Colborne Street, somewhere between King St. and Lome Bridge. One of the earliest librarians was Duncan McKay, who used to reside on Dumfries Street, (Brant Avenue), and subsequently Mr. John Sutherland was placed in charge. The best known and longest in office of the early custodians was Mr. James Woodyatt, Brantford's first City Clerk. Under his management, the collection of volumes became greatly enlarged and rooms were taken upstairs in the Roy building, Colborne Street, now occupied by the Bank of Toronto. The collection of books had then become quite valuable and the institution was mainly supported by fees of members, and the proceeds of an annual excursion, always well patronized. In 1879 the library was burned and all the records perished. The remains of the books were removed to the Kerby House block and when the Heyd Block was completed, the library was established on the second story. Shortly after the passing of the act of 1882, providing for the establishment of free libraries the Board of the Mechanics Institute here set about effecting a change and the by-law was carried on January 7th, 1884, by a majority of 811 votes. Mr. James Horning was elected the first permanent secretary and he held the post until 1901, when Mr. E. D. Kenwood was chosen to fill the position and still holds the office. In the early part of 1902, rumors of Mr. Carnegie's lib- Carnegie rary benefactions commenced to circulate everywhere U-rant an(j Judge Hardy sent a note of enquiry to that gent leman with the result of a speedy reply from his Secretary, offering $35,000 upon the usual conditions. The City Council thereupon passed a by-law for the purchase of a suitable site on George Street, and the design of Stewart and Taylor Architects, was accepted with Schultz Bros., as contractors for the present handsome building. The corner stone was laid by Rev. Dr. Mackenzie, Chairman of the Board, at 2.30 on the afternoon of Tuesday, December 16th, 1902. Upon the silver trowel, used by the Rev. gentleman there was the inscription. "Presented to Rev. Dr. Mackenzie by the Library Board of Brantford, Canada, upon the occasion of the laying of the corner stone of the Free Library, the gift of Andrew Carnegie, December 16th. 1902." There was a large crowd in attendance despite unfavorable weather and at the close of the ceremony an adjournment took place to Victoria