It’s time for another segment of TPL Fun Facts in honour of our 125th in 2020. And we’re pacing things perfectly. No need to check the math. Response to the series thus far has been phenomenal. One person outside of the workplace (unrelated) commented that it was “funny,” one co-worker admitted that she’d read it (nothing more) and yet another wasn’t even aware that we wrote for this newspaper. She then took a brief glance online and said it would take her “too long” to get through the entire page. That’s fine. We have our fan to think about.
Fun Fact #120:
While you may be familiar with the DeCew House (as written), if you run in TPL circles the favoured spelling is actually DeCou. The Georgian style house, built by Captain John DeCou in the 19th century is obviously a big part of Thorold history and Laura Secord’s famous journey to warn the British of American attack. In case you’re still stuck on the first bit, both spellings are technically correct. Jonesing for more Battle of Beaverdams trivia? Check out the patent pending quiz under Local History on our website.
Fun Fact #119:
Unlike some institutions which charge non-resident fees for members outside of the immediate city, it does not cost anyone in the Niagara Region to obtain a Thorold Public Library card. We’re cool like that. To obtain a TPL membership, all you need is two pieces of identification (one with your current address on it) and about two minutes of your time. And FYI, we do not accept Health Cards as valid ID. No, we’re not getting into the whole thing right now. This is not Acceptable ID 125. Though if our fan likes the idea, we’re not opposed to a spin-off series. Bonus fact: TPL cards will last a lifetime – they just need to be updated once per year. If you’ve lost your card, we’ll replace it for a $3 fee. We’re generous, not made of money. Cards completely and utterly worn away by a combination of time and/or love will be replacedfree of charge.
Fun Fact #118:
Our official Role Statement is as follows: “The Thorold Public Library welcomes and supports all members of the community in the pursuit of lifelong learning and enjoyment of reading through free and equal access to information, ideas, and knowledge.” It appears on our website, in the program newsletter, as well as any other significant written communication – and, naturally – deep within our hearts. Sort of like a student number, we will be able to recite this at a moment’s notice years and years after we’ve left. And we’re pretty happy with the sentiment. Sometimes we consider what a modernization might look like, but then we usually end up saying something like, “It should say: ‘pursuit of lifelong learning’ rather than just ‘lifelong learning,’” and then we’re like “Oh, it does. Never mind.”
Fun Fact #117:
Throughout our entire history (and no doubt the history of every other book-borrowing institution in existence), people have mispronounced liBRary as LiBERRY. Why? It’s unclear. Perhaps there is a correlation between the pronunciation of library and February. Even though no one truly understands the purpose of silent letters in the English language, they are nonetheless quite adept at observing them in otherwise completely regular words. Are you still allowed to use our facilities if you incorrectly believe that we are associated with antioxidant rich fruit? You absolutely can. We won’t judge.
Fun Fact #116:
Our library is currently attached to what was once the Thorold Museum (now located at Lock 7) in a building called Chesnut Hall. Most Thoroldites will be familiar with the building as one time home to John McDonagh, official lumber merchant and Reeve of Thorold from 1871-1874, then mayor of Thorold from 1881-1884. Apparently, he enjoyed doingactivities in blocks from the first to fourth years of a given decade. Sometime down the road, the building housed the Town of Thorold Municipal Offices and also the Regional Health Department. You may have even heard rumours that it is haunted – to which we have absolutely no opinion and are contractually obligated to refrain from making ghost sounds. It is much harder than you think.
And there you have it. Only 115 to go!
