John Aker Northview Branch
The Oshawa Library Northview Branch first opened on March 24, 1987 with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Those in attendance to the ceremony included: Mayor Allan Pilkey; Tom Neill, a member of the library building committee; Jana Schuelke, head librarian; Ruth Brookling, Oshawa’s chief librarian; and Norman MacLeod, chairman of the library broad. The branch offers a variety of programs and events for adults, teens, children, and families all year-round.
There was another branch in the area prior to the opening of the Northview Branch. In 1969, the North Simcoe Branch opened near the corner of Simcoe and Beatrice Streets. Northview effectively replaced this branch.
Renovations happened at this branch in 2014, resulting in more open space, and two touch-screen checkout kiosks with a debit and credit card pad.
In 2023, the branch was renamed, in honour of former councillor John Aker for his 43 years in public service and 33 years on the Oshawa Council. The idea of renaming the library branch came up in 2022, a year after Aker’s death, recognizing his support for the foundation of the library and his years of service.
The branch temporarily closed in April 2024 for renovations to improve indoor lighting.
With information from:
The Times, March 25, 1987, pg. 3
This Week, January 28, 1987
https://oshawalibrary.ca/branch-closure/
https://www.oshawa.ca/en/news/introducing-john-aker-northview-branch.aspx
