Books on Wheels! History of the Lambton County Library Bookmobile

Lambton County's first bookmobile or "book-van" in Wyoming, c. 1935.

The Lambton County Library Bookmobile has a storied and intriguing past which began in the early 1930s. Sarnia librarian Dorothy Carlisle initiated a book-van ("trailer attached to an auto") to circulate new and interesting books between Lambton's library branches. An article that appeared in the Windsor Daily Star on September 11, 1937 proclaimed, "Circulation of  books in Lambton County and other districts that have adopted the county circulating library system has increased as much as 300 per cent in the last five years... the Lambton County Library Association book-van... has 18 points of call in the county, and makes the rounds four times a year." The article closed by noting, "The book-van, a small, two-wheeled trailer with built-in shelves, pulled by auto, is welcomed by groups of eager readers as it calls at every county unit..." This marks the beginning of the Bookmobile legacy in Lambton County.

County librarian R.M. Donovan, 1949.

In 1949, newly appointed county librarian R.M. Donovan purchased a new bookmobile with expanded capacity that could carry 1,500 to 2,000 books. In his article "Lambton County Centennial, 'Our Bookmobile,'" which apepared in the Ontario Library Review, Donovan gives this colourful description of the new bookmobile: "Compared with the bookmobiles of Kent or Middlesex, the next-door neighbours, Lambton takes a back seat for beauty in the colour scheme. But the lack of beauty is well compensated for by the almost lurid contrast of canary yellow on dark green, which leaves no doubt in the seers mind as to the vehicle's identity even if seen in a mirage."


Promotional material for new bookmobile, 1949.

 On February 8, 1950, the Forest Free Press published an article praising the new bookmobile for increasing reading material to Lambton County's schools. Servives were now available for seventy of Lambton's schools in Bosanquet, Warwick, Brooke, Euphemia, Dawn and Enniskillen. While bookmobile service continued to schools for decades, this would not always be the case. Controversy erupted in the early 1990s when, after Sarnia-Clearwater joined the county system in January 1991, the library systems suggested  service to county schools should be halted for budgetary reasons. A flurry of newspaper articles followed, including an article on February 7, 1991 in the Observer, "School boards continue pressure to keep bookmobile in operation," which said, "Teachers and trustees with both school systems have argued that the regular visits by the bookmobiles to 24 elementary schools are important to the students." Teachers arranged petitions and students wrote letters, but to no avail; bookmobile service to schools was shut down.

Picture submitted by Lambton elementary school student, 1990.

Despite some controversy in its past, the Bookmobile continues to operate in Lambton County today and offer services to residents. Visit the Bookmobile website for a list of FAQs and the Bookmobile's current schedule. The Bookmobile continues to provide new and interesting material to locations across Lambton County.

Lambton County Library Bookmobile, behind Sarnia Library in 2011.

A Foreign Affair: Upcoming Book Launch and Theatre Presentation at the Oil Museum of Canada

Foreign Driller Fever is upon us! One of Lambton County's most interesting chapters will be coming to life at the Oil Museum of Canada at the end of the month.

Author Gary May (who wrote one of the definitive works on foreign drillers, Hard Oiler) is launching his newest book, The Scent of Oil. He chose the Oil Museum of Canada as the location for his book launch, which will occur from 2:00 to 4:00pm on Friday, September 30. The Oil Museum of Canada is proud to sponsor the event with Gary May and is working in conjunction with Culture Days, a celebration of Arts and Culture from coast to coast.

Gary May noted about his new book, "The Scent of Oil is the true-life adventure of how two Petrolia families joined the trek of the Foreign Drillers to Galacia." At the book launch, you will have the opportunity to meet members of the Perkins and Nicklos families whose ancestors played such an interesting role in oil history. Who knows, you may even meet a foreign driller, or his wife! (portrayed by members of the Petrolia Community Theatre). The afternoon will also feature a Q&A session and light refreshments. Enjoy the experience free of charge.


That evening, make sure you have acquired a special passport to see the Petrolia Community Theatre re-enact true stories about Canada's Foreign Drillers. The performance will take place on museum grounds, with a special appearance by "Sisters by Choice" for your musical entertainment. The event goes on rain or shine! The special passports are available by advance purchase only at a cost of $10.00.

So what's the big deal about Foreign Drillers? Well, from 1874 to the 1930s men who had worked and trained in the oil fields of Lambton County traveled the globe to practice their trade. Many of the skills and techniques they had honed in Lambton County were exported to other countries around the world, including but not limited to Germany, Borneo, Venezuela and Egypt. To hear some of their stories, visit the Oil Museum of Canada's website and browse Black Gold: Canada's Oil Heritage.

The History of Lambton's Fall Fairs

Fall Fairs are a time-honoured rural tradition throughout Ontario. The earliest agricultural society was formed at Niagara-on-the-Lake in 1792. Other societies followed, and they would hold fairs with butter, cheese and maple sugar. In 1834, a prize was offered for "Best Servant!"

While there used to be as many as eight fairs active in Lambton County, that number has decreased to the remaining five: Plympton and Wyoming; Petrolia and Enniskillen; Brigden; Forest; and Brooke and Alvinston. Taking place over roughly a month's span from early September to October, fall fairs give local residents an opportunity to celebrate achievements and spend time with neighbours. These activities have been going on in Lambton County for over 150 years. Allow me to provide you with some information about the interesting histories of Lambton's fall fairs!

Credit for the oldest fall fair goes to Plympton and Wyoming, an Agricultural Society who held their first fair in 1846 on John Fisher's farm, at lot 14, concession 8, Plympton Township. In 1907, the fair was moved to Thames Street in Wyoming, and later to Main Street; a hall was erected in 1911. In 1926 additional land was purchased to use as a racetrack, but races were discontinued in 1947 because they were considered a safety hazard.

The Brigden Fair is now a four-day event

The first Brigden Fair was held in 1850 at Riley's Tavern and featured only cattle and horses. For the next four decades, the location would alternate between Mooretown and Corunna, and later between Courtright and Brigden, until settling into the current grounds in 1889. Prior to 1928, only Moore residents could be exhibitors; however, "Open to the World" was declared that year and exhibits were opened to an unlimited area.

Prize List, 1889

The Enniksillen Agricultural Society was organized in 1876. By 1888, the society had acquired three and a half acres of land in the Petrolia village limits, erected buildings, and were conducting an annual fair. Financial records from 1888 show a volume business of $782.1 and a net profit of $5.25!

Forest had its first fair in 1870 at the corner of Broadway and Main Street; it was later moved to a drill shed. In 1874, twelve acres of land were purchased at the south-west corner of the town. This would be named the Forest Pleasure Park and served as fair grounds until the present park was bought in 1909. Early Forest fairs emphasized livestock but had prizes for bread, maple sugar and other culinary arts.

Poster for the Forest Fair

Alvinston's society originated in or about 1867; unfortunately, early records have not been preserved so it is difficult to get a picture of the society's earliest years. We know that a livestock show was held in October, 1875. There was no admission fee to the open grounds, but they did charge ten cents to enter the township hall, where grains, vegetables and ladies' work were being displayed.

Other fairs that are no longer running have equally interesting histories. The Florence agricultural society dates back to 1863. They held their first fair in 1910 after purchasing a white frame barn that was renovated with two wings and an upstairs area to form a Crystal Palace. A driving track was added in 1911, and in 1913 Fansher Church was purchased for $75.00, and the lumber was used to construct a grandstand. Thedford's society was organized even earlier in 1859. Tradition says fairs were held on the ridge road a few miles west of town but no records can confirm. When a fair was held on October 1, 1889, there was more than two feet of snow on the ground!

Fair season is now upon us, so be sure to get out to your fair and support the local community. The season kicks off with the Petrolia and Enniskillen Fall Fair September 9 and 10. The County of Lambton's Cultural Services Division will have a booth at all the upcoming fairs, so visit us to learn all about the county's libraries, museums and galleries! See you there.