London Community Resource Center Beginning

The Beginning

The climate in London was changing in the late 1960’s. A spirit of community was growing. It was

at this time that Mary Barber, Assistant Librarian at the London Public Library, visited a library in

Amsterdam that had incorporated a community development model. She returned with the idea that

London should have such a centre, and began promoting the concept of a place that would house

community activities, documents and agencies.

A committee was formed, including Mary, David Harvey, Peggy Bottom and Ormah Gibson, and a

proposal was submitted to the Library Board. A site was found on Queens Avenue in 1974 and the

London Community Resource Centre was launched!

The centre relocated to 388 Dundas Street in the autumn of 1978, where it remained until February

2005. Over the years, it housed over 100 charitable and non-profit organizations, providing a

necessary launching pad for some organizations, supported by the expertise to be found within the

centre. With a diversity of organizations under its roof, it provided “one-stop” shopping for many

citizens seeking help. The centre initiated and developed numerous community projects and linked

individuals with organizations and resources in the community.