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Windsor’s automotive history finds new home at William F. Chisholm library branch opened Saturday in South Walkerville.
The grand opening of the Windsor Public Library’s new WF Chisholm branch was held Oct. 21, 2017. The automotive-themed facility features vintage fuel pumps and the city’s automotive archives. Photo by Dan Janisse /Windsor Star
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The new William F. Chisholm library branch, located at 1075 Ypres Ave., has all the bells and whistles of a modern learning institution, but it’s the automotive history that it houses which was front and center at the branch’s official opening Saturday.
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The 4,600-volume automotive archive is unique in Canada and has already generated inquiries from motorheads across the nation who are looking for specs and colors of their beloved old cars.
“I’ve been involved in the auto industry as long as I can remember,” said William “Bill” Chisholm, founder of Rose City Ford and whose family financially supported the Windsor Public Library’s newest branch.
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“The information housed in the library hasn’t been available to the public. It’s been scattered around the city,” he said. “I think it’s wonderful that it’s now easily accessible to everyone.”
Bill Chisholm, after whom the Windsor Public Library’s newest branch is named, is shown at the grand opening, Oct. 21, 2017, in the automotive archives section of the South Walkerville facility. Photo by Dan Janisse /Windsor Star
Chisholm, who began his career working on a Chrysler assembly line testing brakes, added it’s only fitting that the birthplace of the Canadian auto industry should be home to such a collection.
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“It’s unique in Canada,” Chisholm said. “This is Canada’s Motor City and this is where a collection like this belongs.”
Contained in the collection are service manuals dating back decades from the Detroit Three automotive manufacturers.
Even the service manual for Ford’s Model T is available. As is the collection of Ward’s Automotive Magazine annuals.
The collection is largely the result of past library boards buying the automotive service manuals each year and collecting sales brochures, pamphlets and press kits over the decades.
“We are the Motor City in Canada and we’re celebrating our history,” said Dave Milani, the branch’s automotive archivist.
“It’s a small step in celebrating our history. I love the fact people are so interested in the industry.”
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In addition to the library’s collection, local residents have donated items such as racing programs from the Dayus and Checker Flag race racks. There’s even correspondence from the Packard Motor Company.
The automotive theme is carried on throughout the branch, which cost $2.5 million to build.
There are three old gas pumps on display, posters outlining the evolution of the Mustang, a mini car once displayed on the riverfront and a statue made of mechanical parts.
Even the windows are decorated with auto-themed art.
With the branch barely open for minutes, Ezio Colicchia had already wandered in to study the repair guides.
“I think this is great,” Colicchia said. “I’ve been trying to find things online, but you have it all in one spot here. It’s great that past library boards had the vision to do this.”
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The auto archives are concentrated on the western side of the 6,500-square-foot branch. Almost serving as a dividing line between sections of the library is a two-way gas fireplace with chairs and tables for readers to relax.
Along the north-facing windows of the branch, which has high ceilings and an industrial feel, are two long banks of desks and chairs. They contain computer outlets and ports and seven desktop computers.
The branch also is home to a 3D printer.
“People ask us if reading is still relevant, but people in Windsor are reading more now than ever,” said Windsor Public Library CEO Kitty Pope.
“It’s a 21st-century library with all the resources. It also has the automotive archives and that makes it so Windsor.”
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The grand opening of the Windsor Public Library’s new WF Chisholm branch was held Oct. 21, 2017. The automotive-themed facility features vintage fuel pumps and the city’s automotive archives. Photo by Dan Janisse /Windsor Star 
Owen Brown, 2, does some drawing in the youth area during the Oct. 21, 2017, grand opening of South Walkerville’s new city library branch, attached to the Optimist Community Centre. Photo by Dan Janisse /Windsor Star 
Patrons check out the Windsor Public Library’s newest branch at Saturday’s grand opening. Photo by Dan Janisse /Windsor Star 
The Windsor Public Library’s new WF Chisholm branch, opened Oct. 21, 2017, is already drawing city book lovers. Photo by Dan Janisse /Windsor Star
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