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MONDAY

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TUESDAY

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WEDNESDAY

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THURSDAY

All locations are open today from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

FRIDAY

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SATURDAY

All locations are open today from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

SUNDAY

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1854

1854

Establishment of the Mechanic’s Institute, committed to sharing information

1884

1884

First free public library opens in the Town Hall with newspapers, periodicals, and 3,000 books

1902

1902

Carnegie Foundation grants $15,000 for a new library building, plus more for furniture

1904

1904

Berlin Public Library opens on January 8

1908

1908

Mabel Dunham hired as the first professional librarian in charge of a library in Ontario; a pioneer in children’s services

1912

1912

Dunham introduces Children’s Story Hour

1916

1916

Separate Children’s room added to the library

1944

1944

Mabel Dunham retires, and Dorothy Shoemaker is appointed as Chief Librarian

1962

1962

Main Library (now Central Library) opens

1971

1971

Community library in Stanley Park opens

1973

1973

Lynn Matthews appointed as Chief Librarian

1976

1976

Forest Heights Library opens

1978

1978

Addition to Main Library, and introduction of first automated catalogue

1982

1982

Pioneer Park Library opens

1984

1984

Kitchener Public Library celebrates its 100th anniversary with the opening of the Grace Schmidt Room of Local History

1993

1993

Margaret Walshe appointed as CEO (formerly known as Chief Librarian); led the library through a time of rapid technological change

2001

2001

First public access computers at the library, paid for in part by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

2004

2004

Country Hills Library opens

2004

2004

Sonia Lewis appointed as CEO

2010

2010

Official groundbreaking ceremony to begin Central Library renovation and expansion project

2014

2014

Central Library renovation and expansion completed

2015

2015

Mary Chevreau appointed as CEO

2023

2023

Official groundbreaking ceremony to begin the Southwest Library expansion project