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A brief history of the the Castor Public Library

My first memories of the Castor Library were in the business section where Lorraine Hanson has her business. In 1954 the library was moved to the original community hall which was where Home Hardware is presently located.
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My first memories of the Castor Library were in the business section where Lorraine Hanson has her business. In 1954 the library was moved to the original community hall which was where Home Hardware is presently located.

That library was located upstairs where one had to climb a narrow winding staircase and heaven help you if you someone was coming from the other way at the same time! It was hot in the summer and cold in the winter.

The library was managed by Laura Compton and Edith Beedle and was voluntarily looked after by many of the local ladies.

In the mid ‘70’s the Golden Circle was built and the library was invited to share the building. With the addition of the library it helped provide additional grant funding for the building. The library was still voluntarily run by the local ladies of Castor and district.

Alphabetical boxes of books were packed and prepared for “the move.” The library was then moved from above the Community Hall by several high school classes and trucks on moving day. Work bee’s were held in the new library to place the books on the new shelves.

With the retirement of Laura Compton and Edith Beedle, Betty Ann Renschler and Beth Elhard took over the management of the library and the volunteers for approximately five years. Due to life changes in 1980, by the managers, the Town of Castor was approached to take over the operation and management of the library and Mr. Patrick Bain became the first paid manager.

In 2010 the Town of Castor moved to the former County of Paintearth offices and the library was moved from the Golden Circle to the present location on main street.