Lucan Library was
first organized in December 1877 as an Entertainment
Association, but was almost immediately changed to a Mechanic’s
Institute. In 1898 The Mechanic’s Institute became a
Library Association, which was still owned and operated by the
members. Over the first 20 years there were frequent changes in
librarians and library locations. The library closed in 1904
and the books were stored. In the years following its
re-opening in 1912 there were other moves within the village.
By 1957 the library was in the Masonic Hall at 183 Main Street.
In 1982 an extra room in the Hall was rented to add much needed
space.
Over the following
years several alternatives to provide larger quarters were
investigated. Finally, on January 15, 2000 a new library was
opened adjacent to the Lucan Community Centre. The Lucan
Library boasts a unique collection of Irish resources. In
October 1993 an “Irish book collection” was presented to Lucan
library from the Republic of Ireland, as promised by the former
Ambassador of Ireland during his visit to Lucan in 1991.
For more
information on Lucan library, consult A History of the
Library in Lucan (1997) by Charles Corbett, copies of
which are located in Lucan Library and in the Local History
collection at Strathroy Library.