Editing Guelph (section)

===Public library system===
[[File:Guelph Public Library Old.jpg|thumb|The original [[Carnegie library]] in Guelph.]]
Although a private library, run by the Farmers and Mechanics Institute, existed since 1832, a public library did not open in Guelph until 1882, when the ''[[Free Libraries Act]]'' allowed municipalities to operate libraries. After occupying premises near City Hall, it moved into an [[Carnegie library|Andrew Carnegie-funded]] building in 1905.<ref name="GPLhistory">{{cite web |title=About Us |date=December 8, 2018 |url=https://www.guelphpl.ca/en/about-us/about-us.aspx |publisher=Guelph Public Library |access-date=July 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724164639/https://www.guelphpl.ca/en/about-us/about-us.aspx |archive-date=July 24, 2019 |url-status=live }} Section: Our History, click "Explore our history through the years"</ref> The neo-classical (Beaux Art) structure, had been designed in 1902 by W. Frye Colwill.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://guelphpostcards.blogspot.ca/2013/12/the-carnegie-library.html|title=The Carnegie Library|website=guelphpostcards.blogspot.ca|date=December 20, 2013|access-date=January 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027232409/http://guelphpostcards.blogspot.ca/2013/12/the-carnegie-library.html|archive-date=October 27, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The collection of the Farmers and Mechanics Institute library was contributed to the new library.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.guelphpl.ca/about/history.cfm |title=History |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630062733/https://www.guelphpl.ca/about/history.cfm |archive-date=June 30, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The current main library building of the [[Guelph Public Library]], on Norfolk St. was opened in 1965.<ref name="GPLhistory"/> Guelph is served by a growing library system composed of a main library located in the [[downtown Guelph|downtown]] core, five branches and a [[Bookmobile]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Library Locations and Hours |url=https://www.guelphpl.ca/en/about-us/library-locations-and-hours.aspx |publisher=Guelph Public Library |access-date=July 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724164646/https://www.guelphpl.ca/en/about-us/library-locations-and-hours.aspx |archive-date=July 24, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> With a membership of over 85,000, the [[Guelph Public Library]] system's goals include preserving and indexing public materials relating to the history of Guelph. Although no formal program has been developed, the library acquires municipal records of archival value from the City of Guelph.<ref>{{cite web |title=Collections |url=https://www.guelphpl.ca/en/collections/collections.aspx |publisher=Guelph Public Library |access-date=July 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724164657/https://www.guelphpl.ca/en/collections/collections.aspx |archive-date=July 24, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

A new library location has been discussed since 2018 as part of the redeveloped area downtown, known as the Baker District.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://guelph.ca/2017/07/city-pursue-baker-district-redevelopment-proposals/|title=City to pursue Baker District redevelopment proposals|publisher=City of Guelph|date=July 18, 2017|access-date=July 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326142920/http://guelph.ca/2017/07/city-pursue-baker-district-redevelopment-proposals/|archive-date=March 26, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="guelphtoday.com"/> This project was approved as part of the 2021 budget and as of July 2021 the library board was reviewing architectural designs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Library board supports architectural design of new central library|url=https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/library-board-supports-architectural-design-of-new-central-library-3955857|access-date=November 5, 2021|website=GuelphToday.com|date=July 15, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>