The National Library of Canada, Its Eventual Character and Scope by the Canadian Library Association, August 1949

The National Library of Canada, Its Eventual Character and Scope; A Brief Submitted to the Chairman and Members of the Royal Commission on National Development in the Arts, Letters, and Sciences by the Canadian Library Association/Association Canadienne des Bibliothèques, 1949 [For release on 18 August 1949]. [Ottawa]: the Association, 1949. 5 p. with exhibits.

On 8 April 1949, Prime Minister Louis St-Lauren asked the Governor General of Canada to approve an Order-in-Council, appointing a Royal Commission on National Development in the Arts, Letters and Sciences under the chairmanship of the Right Honourable Vincent Massey. For two years, the Commissioners held public hearings across the country, received briefs, and called many witnesses to investigate the state of Canada’s arts and culture. A final report appeared in June 1951.

Naturally, the Canadian Library Association/Association Canadienne des Bibliothèques (CLA/ACB) committee on a national library, headed by Freda Waldon, prepared a brief for the Commission in summer 1949. After two previous briefs, one in 1946 and another in 1947, the Association’s did not need to consider proposals about progress towards forming the Bibliographical Centre, which had already been approved by legislators. Now was the opportunity to take a longer-range view; consequently, CLA/ACB concentrated on the acquisition of collections and a suitable building to house holdings. The new Brief was short and to the point. First, it outlined the need to build a retrospective and current collection: “The distinguishing characteristic of a Canadian National Library will be its extensive collection of Canadian material. The aim, in the opinion of the Association, should be completeness.” Then, it advocated for the planning and construction of a suitable building.

For collections, the Brief stated the need to amend the Copyright Act so that the National Library would be the legal depository of all material copyrighted, with a legal clause enforcing deposit to ensure comprehensiveness. As a result, copies of all Canadian government documents and other publishers would be in one central collection. “This would lessen the work of the government departments concerned, simplify order procedure for libraries, and ensure a constant and complete supply of documents from one distributing centre.” Further,

Whereas the National Library will give direct service to the Government of Canada, and research workers in Ottawa, it will also serve as the prime library of the nation, and will, to the best of its ability, meet the needs of any person in Canada, wherever he is situated, either by furnishing the actual material required by means of an inter-library loan, or, in the case of rare holdings, by lending, or supplying at cost, photographic reproductions or microfilm. Thus its services will extend into fields far beyond the reach of local libraries. (p. 3)

The Brief’s second line of reasoning requested that the earliest consideration be given to a site for the National Library building. It called for functional architectural features and sufficient space for future expansion. CLA/ACB’s previous brief submitted in December 1946 was appended to clarify the service roles for the new institution.

In conclusion, CLA/ACB underscored collaboration: “Operating to a large extent in cooperation with provincial and local libraries, the National Library should make its resources available to all government services, business men, workers, teachers, scholars; in short, to all the people of Canada.”

Dr. W. Kaye Lamb, c.1948

The Massey commissioners took note of the thrust of CLA/ACB’s brief and supported its ideas when it issued a final report. In a section on federal libraries, the Report stated “That a National Library be established without delay; that a librarian be appointed as soon as may be expedient.” The government received the library recommendations and pressed ahead. On Tuesday, 20 May 1952, Prime Minister St. Laurent moved that the House of Commons consider the resolution to introduce legislation to establish a national library and to appoint a national librarian. The House debated and passed Bill 245 for the establishment of a National Library on 27 May 1952. The bill received royal assent in June. CLA/ACB’s long campaign to create a National Library had concluded successfully after three major briefs to the government and intensive lobbying efforts of cabinet ministers, members of parliament, and influential officials. The National Library Act came into force on 1 January 1953 with Dr. W. Kaye Lamb as National Librarian.

Further Reading:
The 1949 CLA/ACB presentation, The National Library of Canada, is available online.

My earlier blog post discussed the National Library Act and subsequent activity to erect a building.