A grand opening has taken place for the new wing of the Port Elgin Branch of the Bruce County Public Library.
The new wing at the rear of the existing historic building has been named in honour of local resident Joyce Scammell.
Scammell is a very active community volunteer and lives directly behind the library property.
She says she’s very overwhelmed, honoured, and that it’s a real priveledge to have the new section of the library named after her.
Scammell wasn’t expecting the recognition and believes it was for her devotion to the community.
Mayor Mike Smith — who also Chairs the Bruce County Library Board — says Scammell’s involvement includes sitting on the Accessibility Committee and the Saugeen Rail Trail Committee.
He says she continually gives to the community.
An 800 thousand dollar provincial grant went towards the 1.3 million dollar library project, fundraising is covering the rest of the costs.
Smith says efforts to finish raising the 450 thousand dollars are still underway.
He says construction took longer than originally planned but the grand opening is still a great day for the Bruce County Library Board and Saugeen Shores.
Smith says the town actually owns the library building and leases it to the county.
The original historic library building in Port Elgin opened in October 1908 with a grant from American industrialist Andrew Carnegie, who helped open libraries in many communities across North America.
In its early years, the building also housed the town’s council chambers, community concerts, and military recruitment drives.