Canadian Library History Blog

Edgar S. Robinson, n.d. Edgar S. Robinson had many qualities which made him one of Canada's finest administrators in the first half of the 20th century. During his tenure as director of the Vancouver Public Library from 1924–57, he introduced important services and, as a popular public figure not only in British Columbia but in Canadian library circles, he was a respected commentator on library trends and the 'world of books.' Through speeches, newspaper reports, journals, library conferences, and liaising with groups, he was a tireless advocate for public libraries across the Dominion. Over the years Robinson consistently opposed censorship and book bans: he believed it was the library's role to try to present both sides of an issue and let people decide for themselves. He was active in presidential roles in library associations and served as a steadfast advisor on national issues. He possessed a clear vision for the future of library service in Vancouver. By 1956 the...

 The Revival of School Libraries before 1920 In the mid-19th century four eastern Canadian provinces—Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick—established district school libraries which, like their American counterparts, eventually fell into disuse. One principal cause of their failure was that they were not sufficiently geared towards the educational needs of students. In the United States, municipal public libraries took the lead in providing reading resources for children, leaving schools to rely on small, inadequate classroom collections and standard textbooks. Of course, the issue of appropriate libraries for students continued to be discussed among educators. In 1902, the Ontario Department of Education introduced a matching provincial grant for rural school library books, allowing participating schools to receive up to $10 in matching funds based on local purchases. Two years later, the Deputy Minister of Education, John Millar, reported at the Ontario E...