In 1960 the women of the Youth Club were instrumental in forming a committee to start a library in Bellevue. It took from the fall of 1960 to the opening date of February 24 of 1961 and the help of both male and female volunteers to build shelves and put books in their proper order. The building, which had been the old school office, was donated by the village and the Burmis Lumber Company donated the wood for the shelves. Books to start things rolling were supplied by the families of the surrounding areas as no money was on hand to buy them. Later, bake sales were held to purchase new ones. This library was open from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm every Friday, thanks to ladies who volunteered their time to provide this service for the readers, young and old.

A few years later (about 1963) we were moved, with the help of the village workers, to a room of the old Bellevue school. It was a much lighter and warmer place to work and hours of work for the volunteers were from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm Fridays. 

In 1972 the building which was the former Anglican Church, 2 blocks north of main street, became the third location for the library. This building was darker and during the winters was quite cold as it was heated only by a gas heater on one side. Each volunteer worked alone for the first half of the shift and was relieved by another for the second half as the hours were 3:30 pm through 7:00 pm on Wednesdays.

Plans for a new library for Bellevue and Hillcrest residents were started in 1980 and the building was completed in the early part of 1981. The process of moving books, shelves and equipment started in February 1981. The actual opening took place at 2:00 pm on June 2. The official opening was on October 8/81 with the Minister of Culture, M.L.A. Fred Bradley, the Mayor, two members of the Lions Club, Father Hubka and Ralph Christians.

Our new library is bright and spacious with a 1985 addition which has been divided into a work room and a children's room for storytime. There has been an increase in the amount and the variety of books and services. Our volunteers now number 23, 3 for storytime, most of them have been working many, many years but we are pleased now to have a few younger parents to help at the desk.