On this historic day in 1955, the city of Saskatoon celebrated a significant milestone in its cultural and educational development with the official opening of the Haultain branch of the Saskatoon Public Library. Mayor J.D. McAskill presided over the ceremony, marking the inauguration of what would become a vital community resource for residents in the Nutana neighborhood.
A Growing Library System
The Haultain branch represented Saskatoon's fifth public library location, reflecting the city's expanding population and growing demand for accessible reading materials. Within minutes of the opening ceremony concluding, the first patrons were already signing their borrower's cards, demonstrating the immediate community need this new facility addressed.
Mayor McAskill reflected on how library facilities had evolved in Saskatoon, noting that not many years earlier, the city's library services were limited to just the main branch on Twenty-Third Street opposite City Hall. The library system had gradually expanded with the Mayfair branch opening in 1952, preceded by earlier libraries established on Broadway and the West Side.
Strategic Location and Design
The new branch was strategically located on the second floor of the Economy Hardware building at the intersection of Eighth Street and Clarence Avenue. Librarian J.S. Wood emphasized that creating a new branch involved much more than simply filling a room with shelves. Careful consideration went into every aspect of the design to ensure accessibility and functionality for all community members.
Wood highlighted several thoughtful design elements, including wide and shallow stairs specifically created "for people of all ages" to navigate comfortably. The space featured proper lighting from both six large west-facing windows and strategically placed fluorescent fixtures. The room was intelligently divided into sections for teenagers, adults, and children, with low shelves under the windows specifically designed for young readers.
Community Impact and Future Vision
During the opening ceremony, Mayor McAskill acknowledged that while the Haultain branch "completes the picture for a few years," he anticipated that the Library Board would soon need to address providing additional space as the city continued to grow. He expressed hope that future expansion efforts would be as fortunate in finding suitable accommodation as they had been with this location.
H.R. Larson, chairman of the Library Board, praised the cooperation received from City Council and paid tribute to the librarian and his staff for their dedication to making the new branch a reality. The collection initially included more than 4,000 books on the shelves, with magazine racks and a specially designed librarian's desk completing the functional space.
Philosophy of Decentralization
Librarian J.S. Wood articulated the philosophy behind Saskatoon's expanding library system, emphasizing that decentralization represented the best approach for a city of Saskatoon's size. "It was best to take library facilities to the various areas," Wood explained, expressing particular pleasure that services could now be extended to the new residential area in southeast Nutana.
The opening ceremony included a special visitor, Mary Donaldson of Regina, who served as provincial librarian and had previously been a member of the Saskatoon library staff. Donaldson offered her congratulations to the board, staff, and City Council, describing the new branch as "a most interesting looking branch I am sure people in the area will enjoy."
This historical moment from February 19, 1955, represents more than just the opening of another library branch—it symbolizes Saskatoon's commitment to making educational resources accessible throughout the community and foreshadows the continued growth that would characterize the city's development in subsequent decades.
