The Millbrook Library - 115 Years Old and Counting!

In 1994 Millbrook celebrated 100 years of continuous library service. Begun in 1894 as a Mechanic's Institute as were many libraries, it became a free public library the following year. For more than forty years the library occupied a storefront on the main street in Millbrook. This location was willed to the village of Millbrook by the local doctor but only as long as it was a library. The 600 square feet of space had the distinction of being the only library in Ontario in the last two decades without a bathroom or any water at all.

After the village of Millbrook amalgamated with the surrounding township of Cavan and the adjoining township of North Monaghan, the library was moved to a much larger, newly renovated space on the first floor of the historically designated "Old School" in 1999. This building was built in 1890 as a four room school. It expanded to house grades Kindegarten to Grade 8.  Eventually closed by the school board it has been refurbished both inside and out and now houses the Millbrook Library, the Food Share, The Old Millbrook School Family Centre, Community Policing and 4th Line Theatre offices. In 2004 the Millbrook Library celebrated its 110th Anniversary. Events included a tree planting, activities for children, computer demonstration and a high tea.






















The Bruce Johnston Branch Library

A library to meet the needs of the northern part of Cavan Township was opened in 1976 in the Women's Institute Hall in Mount Pleasant. It was moved to a larger, renovated space in 1999 (the former North Monaghan Municipal Office), and renamed The Bruce Johnston Branch Library to honour the memory of a former North Monaghan resident who served his community as township assessor and clerk for over 50 years.

In 2004, a 1200 square foot addition was built to accomodate the increased use by residents of North Monaghan and Cavan. Patrons and staff appreciate the new programming room, additional computers and the new shelving to expand the collection for adults, teens and children.