A Special 100th Celebration for Canton Public Library

Canton Public Library celebrated 100 years of service Saturday with the a cappella theatrics of the Yale Spizzwinks(?), special birthday cakes, a General Assembly citation and more. 

The Canton Public Library opened its doors in the basement of the Collins Company Office building at the corner of Main and Front streets in Collinsville on Nov. 8, 1913. It was open from 1 to 5 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays and featured 650 books along with a small collection of newspapers and magazines. 

Today a much more varied collection numbers 85,000 and the facility is open 54 hours each week. 

In November of 1920 the library moved to a new building at 26 Center St., Collinsville and in late 1999, the library/community center opened in its current location at 40 Dyer Ave, in a renovated space that once housed the Canton Elementary School. 

On Saturday, more than 300 people came out to watch the Yale Spizzwinks(?) dazzle with its humor and renditions of popular songs and classics. 

"It was wonderful," said library director Rob Simon. "I was so glad we got them. I am going to tell every library director in the state that they are not complete until they've had the Spizzwinks(?)" 

The celebration also include introductions of dignitaries and former library workers and volunteers as well as a General Assembly citation presented by state Rep. Tim LeGeyt and state Sen. Kevin Witkos. 

After the show, patrons enjoyed pieces of one of two cakes, one which pictured the current facility and the other an image of the Center Street location. 

On Saturday, Nov. 16, at 3 p.m., the celebration continues with award winning storytellers Motoko Dworkin and Eshu Bumous. All ages are welcome. 

Also available at the library for $5 are copies of "A Century of Service: Canton Public Library at its 100th Anniversary." The 64-page book, authored by Kathleen Woolam and Robert Simon, features a history of the town's library and many photos.