Prior to the creation of the Stratford Public Library in 1897, the Stratford Mechanics' Institute, incorporated in 1853, provided a library for members.
Changes were made to the provincial legislation and libraries and library boards were now established under the Public Libraries Act
Mandate:
The mandate of the Library Board is:
- To provide, in co-operation with other boards, a comprehensive and efficient public library service that reflects the community's unique needs;
- To operate one or more libraries and ensure that they are conducted in accordance with this Act and the regulations;
- To operate special services in connection with a library as it considers necessary;
- To fix the times and places for board meetings and the mode of calling and conducting them, and ensure that full and correct minutes are kept;
- To make an annual report to the Minister and make any other reports or provide any other information required by this Act and the regulations or requested by the Minister from time to time;
- To make provision for insuring the board's real and personal property;
- To take proper security for the treasurer; and
- To appoint such committees as it considers expedient.
Becoming a Board Member
The Stratford Public Library Board has nine members who serve a four-year term concurrent with Stratford City Council. The Board is composed of:
- 1 City Council Representative
- 8 Citizens-at-large appointed by Council
The City Council representative is chosen by Council when it takes office after a municipal election. Stratford City Council advertises the Library Board openings for Citizens-at-large in the local newspaper prior to each municipal election. Any interested citizen is free to apply to Council for a seat on the Board. If openings occur on the Library Board during its term of office, new appointees are selected in the manner described above. Application forms can be found on the Advisory Committee page.
Time served on the Library Board is limited to two full consecutive terms, i.e. eight years, plus one partial term for board members appointed mid-term.