Another interesting workshop sponsored by the Ex Libris Association was held at OLA Super Conference 2012 on February 2nd. Our topic covered two Ontario public library responses to a wave of immigration beginning in the period just before First World War and ending with the start of the Second World War, 1910 to 1939. The session, Public Library Service to Canadian Immigrants before 1939, featured two speakers, Elizabeth Hanson (Retired, Indiana University) and Barb Myrvold (Local Specialist - Toronto Public Library) and attracted seventeen persons.
Elizabeth Hanson led off with her topic on Mary J.L. Black and the work of the Fort William (now Thunder Bay) Public Library in the 1920s and 30s. In many ways, Mary Black was a pioneer of work with immigrants as her library catered to the needs of many immigrants from Eastern Europe. She also assisted with provision of some foreign language materials to immigrants in the northern districts of ‘New Ontario’ that were outside her city jurisdiction. Obtaining foreign language materials and getting staff who could communicate with these New Canadians in different languages proved to be quite a challenge. Nonetheless, Black developed a successful service and her collections for non-English speaking users improved over the years. Mary Black’s contributions were recognized with the building of a branch that opened in her name in 1938 at the west end of Fort William.
Barbara Myrvold followed by speaking about the activities of Toronto Public Library under the leadership of George H. Locke, Lillian Smith, and Winifred Barnstead. Locke arranged to develop programs for adults and children with his talented staff in many branches throughout Toronto, which was slowly losing its British majority as new waves of immigrants arrived in the city after WW I. The library responded with improved foreign language collections, children’s story times and programs, and extension of collections to ‘settlement houses’ in poorer urban sections where volunteer workers could share knowledge and culture with lower income neighbours. Toronto’s extensive efforts also included catalogue aids for users. George Locke’s contribution to Canadian librarianship was acknowledged in 1949 when Locke branch opened, the first major library building opening in Ontario after 1945.
Discussion followed each speaker and there were comments about how services to New Canadians before WW II often sought to help to Canadianize and ease the transition to local community life in this early period before a statutory Canadian citizenship became a reality in 1947 and long before multiculturalism became a state policy in the 1970s.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Friday, January 06, 2012
LIBRARY HISTORY AT OLA SUPER CONFERENCE 2012, 2 FEBRUARY
Here is what you need to know:
Session # 402: Thursday, 2 Feb. at 10:40 a.m.
ONTARIO PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICE TO CANADIAN IMMIGRANTS BEFORE 1939
Speakers: Barbara Myrvold, Service Specialist-Local History Toronto Public Library, and and Dr. Elizabeth Hanson, retired, Indiana University.
Ontario public libraries responded to new waves of immigration before and after the First World War, 1910 to 1939, with offerings such as foreign language collections and customized programs for individuals and groups, sometimes using surveys to identify local needs. In the early period, services to "New Canadians" often sought to help to Canadianize and ease the transition to local community life.
The presentations will focus on the pioneering work of Mary Black in Fort William (Thunder Bay) and George H. Locke in Toronto.
Don't miss this session -- it will inform and capture your attention.
Friday, October 07, 2011
CALL FOR PAPERS -- CANADIAN LIBRARY HISTORY NETWORK
LIBRARY HISTORY
A Call for Papers
The Library History Network (formerly the Library History Interest Group) is soliciting papers for a programme at the National Conference & Trade Show of the Canadian Library Association, Ottawa, Ontario, May 30 – June 2, 2012. Particular consideration will be given to proposals dealing with the varied aspects of Canadian Library History. Consideration will also be given to papers on other themes.
Selected papers may be published by the Library History Network in conjunction with CLA.
Papers are solicited on any of the following categories of library history:
1.Overviews and syntheses.
2.Studies of particular individuals, institutions, or developments, which provide generalizable interpretations or else serve as case studies.
3.Methodological studies, which look at various aspects of research in library history.
It is anticipated that papers will be based upon personal, funded, institutional, or degree projects. Papers should not have been previously published elsewhere. They should be fully documented, and accompanied by illustrations where appropriate. They may be presented in either English or French.
Deadlines:
October 21, 2011 proposals and brief abstracts
May 1, 2012 completed papers
For further information, or submission of proposals, abstracts, and papers please contact:
Professor Peter F. McNally
School of Information Studies
McGill University
3661 Peel St.
Montreal, QC
H3A 1X1
Telephone: 514-398-3367
FAX: 514-398-7193
email: peter.mcnally@mcgill.ca
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
LIBRARY HISTORY NETWORK PROPOSED FOR CANADIAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
In May 2011, the Canadian Library Association membership voted to dissolve its Divisions and Interest Groups. In their place, new network groups are to be formed by members. The following proposal is to continue with a library history group within the new revised constitution of CLA which requires ten or more members to form a group in its initial stage.
The following proposal is a petition to to satisfy this requirement. Please contact the moderator for this activity if you are interested in being a member. You should contact:
Peter F. McNally, Professor, School of Information Studies, McGill University
peter.mcnally@mcgill.ca
The proposed network information follows:
A. TERMS OF REFERENCE:
The Library History Network holds that Librarianship and related fields require an understanding of their historical, theoretical, and philosophical foundations in order to face intelligently present and future challenges and aspirations. The Network has four major aims:
1. To adopt as its areas of concern the history of Libraries and related fields particularly as they relate to Canada.
2. To encourage awareness and discussion of the social and cultural role – within an historical context - of Libraries, Librarianship, and related fields in a changing world.
3. To promote research and publication on Library History and related fields.
4. To foster communication among various disciplines relevant to Library History.
B. TIME FRAME:
It is anticipated that the Library History Network will be ongoing into the indefinite future.
C. PLAN OF ACTIVITY:
The Library History Network proposes the following activities:
1. To hold sessions at annual CLA Conferences where research papers can be presented.
2. To develop publication routes for these papers.
3. To provide an (electronic) communication service for people supporting the Network and Library History.
D. MODERATOR:
Peter F. McNally, Professor, School of Information Studies, McGill University.
E. CLA/ACB MEMBERS SUPPPORTING THIS PETITION:
The following proposal is a petition to to satisfy this requirement. Please contact the moderator for this activity if you are interested in being a member. You should contact:
Peter F. McNally, Professor, School of Information Studies, McGill University
peter.mcnally@mcgill.ca
The proposed network information follows:
LIBRARY HISTORY NETWORK of the Canadian Library Association/Association canadienne des bibliothèques
A. TERMS OF REFERENCE:
The Library History Network holds that Librarianship and related fields require an understanding of their historical, theoretical, and philosophical foundations in order to face intelligently present and future challenges and aspirations. The Network has four major aims:
1. To adopt as its areas of concern the history of Libraries and related fields particularly as they relate to Canada.
2. To encourage awareness and discussion of the social and cultural role – within an historical context - of Libraries, Librarianship, and related fields in a changing world.
3. To promote research and publication on Library History and related fields.
4. To foster communication among various disciplines relevant to Library History.
B. TIME FRAME:
It is anticipated that the Library History Network will be ongoing into the indefinite future.
C. PLAN OF ACTIVITY:
The Library History Network proposes the following activities:
1. To hold sessions at annual CLA Conferences where research papers can be presented.
2. To develop publication routes for these papers.
3. To provide an (electronic) communication service for people supporting the Network and Library History.
D. MODERATOR:
Peter F. McNally, Professor, School of Information Studies, McGill University.
E. CLA/ACB MEMBERS SUPPPORTING THIS PETITION:
Monday, February 14, 2011
OLA SUPERCONFERENCE 2011 LIBRARY HISTORY ROUNDUP
Library history at the Ontario Library Association Superconference has come and gone now, with two successful sessions on Friday, Feb. 4th.
The Ex Libris Association sponsored the workshops at OLA Superconference 2011 with four speakers: Dr. Leslie McGrath, Toronto Public Library; Peter McNally, McGill University; Dr. Elaine Boone, Belleville; and Larry Moore, former OLA Executive Director 1984-2008. Almost twenty persons turned out for each session. Good questions and discussions helped inform each gathering.
The morning session featured Leslie McGrath’s powerpoint presentation on the development of Toronto’s Boys and Girls House and the growth of special children’s collections at the Lillian H. Smith branch, which opened in 1995. Many important people and events from the 1920s to 1990s appeared in interesting slides of buildings and books. Facts about Lillian Smith’s work in promoting and organizing children’s services, the Edgar Osborne Collection donated to TPL in 1949, and the eventual reorganization of children’s work at TPL in the 1980s and 1990s were quite interesting. Children’s services and collections have changed greatly and TPL has been at the forefront for many years.
The second morning speaker, Peter McNally, spoke to the issue of academic status for university librarians in Quebec and Ontario. This development began in earnest in the 1970s and has received considerable attention in the literature, although definitions of terms of employment, academic freedom, academic governance, and faculty status remain contested (and perhaps misunderstood?) by many librarians. Given the primacy of local conditions, librarians have developed status through bargaining as professional staff, academic staff, and faculty with varying degrees of rights and entitlements. The effort to achieve academic status is ongoing.
The afternoon session began with Elaine Boone’s presentation on children’s library work at TPL before the 1930s. Using an “imaginary interview” as a frame of reference, Elaine worked through many things that George Locke or Lillian Smith expected their librarians to perform during their regular working hours, including keeping books clean, and standing when Ms. Smith entered the room for a meeting! Children’s librarians often got their training “on the job” and were encouraged to improve children’s reading with the “best books.” Formal classes for school library work first appeared in Toronto in the 1930s.
The final presenter, Larry Moore, talked about education for Ontario’s school librarians in the post-1960s period. He featured important educators, such as Margaret Scott, and particular programs, such as Partners in Action (1992). The sixties and seventies was an exciting time for school librarians when educational requirements and curriculum ideas were expanded and new school libraries were built across the province. However, financial retrenchment in the 1980s and 1990s did not allow educators to build on those successes in ways originally conceived to be most effective. Many of the ideas outlined in Partners have yet to be implemented on a broad basis.
Will there be library history session at OLA Superconference 2012? Stay tuned ...
The Ex Libris Association sponsored the workshops at OLA Superconference 2011 with four speakers: Dr. Leslie McGrath, Toronto Public Library; Peter McNally, McGill University; Dr. Elaine Boone, Belleville; and Larry Moore, former OLA Executive Director 1984-2008. Almost twenty persons turned out for each session. Good questions and discussions helped inform each gathering.
The morning session featured Leslie McGrath’s powerpoint presentation on the development of Toronto’s Boys and Girls House and the growth of special children’s collections at the Lillian H. Smith branch, which opened in 1995. Many important people and events from the 1920s to 1990s appeared in interesting slides of buildings and books. Facts about Lillian Smith’s work in promoting and organizing children’s services, the Edgar Osborne Collection donated to TPL in 1949, and the eventual reorganization of children’s work at TPL in the 1980s and 1990s were quite interesting. Children’s services and collections have changed greatly and TPL has been at the forefront for many years.
The second morning speaker, Peter McNally, spoke to the issue of academic status for university librarians in Quebec and Ontario. This development began in earnest in the 1970s and has received considerable attention in the literature, although definitions of terms of employment, academic freedom, academic governance, and faculty status remain contested (and perhaps misunderstood?) by many librarians. Given the primacy of local conditions, librarians have developed status through bargaining as professional staff, academic staff, and faculty with varying degrees of rights and entitlements. The effort to achieve academic status is ongoing.
The afternoon session began with Elaine Boone’s presentation on children’s library work at TPL before the 1930s. Using an “imaginary interview” as a frame of reference, Elaine worked through many things that George Locke or Lillian Smith expected their librarians to perform during their regular working hours, including keeping books clean, and standing when Ms. Smith entered the room for a meeting! Children’s librarians often got their training “on the job” and were encouraged to improve children’s reading with the “best books.” Formal classes for school library work first appeared in Toronto in the 1930s.
The final presenter, Larry Moore, talked about education for Ontario’s school librarians in the post-1960s period. He featured important educators, such as Margaret Scott, and particular programs, such as Partners in Action (1992). The sixties and seventies was an exciting time for school librarians when educational requirements and curriculum ideas were expanded and new school libraries were built across the province. However, financial retrenchment in the 1980s and 1990s did not allow educators to build on those successes in ways originally conceived to be most effective. Many of the ideas outlined in Partners have yet to be implemented on a broad basis.
Will there be library history session at OLA Superconference 2012? Stay tuned ...
Thursday, February 10, 2011
CANADIAN LIBRARY HISTORY AT HALIFAX, MAY 2011
I just found out that speakers for the program at the Canadian Library History group this summer are now set for the Halifax conference in May. The titles and pertinent information on speakers and their topics is as follows:
8:35-8:55, “Mission unique: La Bibliothèque Champlain de 1985 à aujourd'hui.” Victoria Volkanova, l’Université de Moncton.
8:55-9:15, “΄We First Saw the Prairies in the Tragic Days΄: Exploring the History of the Lady Tweedsmuir Prairie Library Scheme.” Geoffrey Little, Concordia University.
9:15-9:35, “McGill University’s Islamic Studies Library: Its Unique Collecting History.” Sean Swanick, McGill University.
9:35-10:00, Discussion and Business Meeting
See you there.
“LIBRARIES, CULTURE, and HERITAGE: NEW RESEARCH in CANADIAN LIBRARY HISTORY”
LIBRARY HISTORY INTEREST GROUP
CANADIAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA
WORLD TRADE and CONVENTION CENTRE
.
FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011
8:30 – 10:00 AM
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
Introduction and welcome by convenor, Peter McNally, McGill University
8:35-8:55, “Mission unique: La Bibliothèque Champlain de 1985 à aujourd'hui.” Victoria Volkanova, l’Université de Moncton.
8:55-9:15, “΄We First Saw the Prairies in the Tragic Days΄: Exploring the History of the Lady Tweedsmuir Prairie Library Scheme.” Geoffrey Little, Concordia University.
9:15-9:35, “McGill University’s Islamic Studies Library: Its Unique Collecting History.” Sean Swanick, McGill University.
9:35-10:00, Discussion and Business Meeting
See you there.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
LIBRARY HISTORY AT OLA SUPER CONFERENCE 2011, 4 FEBRUARY
Good news ... there will be two library history sessions at the OLA Super Conference in February 2011. With the sponsorship of Ex Libris Association and Ontario Library Association we have four speakers at two sessions, one in the morning at 9:05 (session #1016) and another later in the afternoon at 2:10 (session 1215).
Here is what you need to know:
Session # 1016: Friday, 4 Feb. at 9:05 a.m. on Library History Research
Leslie McGrath, Toronto Public Library; and Peter McNally, McGill University
These two presentations will offer information for children's librarians and academic librarians. Learn how Toronto Public Library's renowned Boys and Girls House, established 1922, evolved into the current Lillian H. Smith Library and how book selections for children evolved. Find out how academic status for university librarians developed in central Canada after the expansion of librarianship in the 1960s.
Session # 1215: Friday, 4 Feb. at 2:10 p.m. on Education for Librarians: Ontario's History
Dr. Elaine Boone, Belleville; and Larry Moore, Global Citizen
These two presentation will focus on the fascinating training and education of librarians in Ontario for work with children and students. Two knowledgeable presentations on our history will inform both public and teacher librarians about the historical background in Ontario. Find out how these services originated and developed on a professional basis in the 20th century.
Don't miss these sessions -- they are sure to inform and capture your attention.
Here is what you need to know:
Session # 1016: Friday, 4 Feb. at 9:05 a.m. on Library History Research
Leslie McGrath, Toronto Public Library; and Peter McNally, McGill University
These two presentations will offer information for children's librarians and academic librarians. Learn how Toronto Public Library's renowned Boys and Girls House, established 1922, evolved into the current Lillian H. Smith Library and how book selections for children evolved. Find out how academic status for university librarians developed in central Canada after the expansion of librarianship in the 1960s.
Session # 1215: Friday, 4 Feb. at 2:10 p.m. on Education for Librarians: Ontario's History
Dr. Elaine Boone, Belleville; and Larry Moore, Global Citizen
These two presentation will focus on the fascinating training and education of librarians in Ontario for work with children and students. Two knowledgeable presentations on our history will inform both public and teacher librarians about the historical background in Ontario. Find out how these services originated and developed on a professional basis in the 20th century.
Don't miss these sessions -- they are sure to inform and capture your attention.
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