The CCBC is looking for a new home for its Toronto regional collection of English-language Canadian children’s books.
1. INTRODUCTION
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) is a national, not-for-profit organization, founded in 1976, whose mission is to promote the works of Canadian children’s authors, illustrators and publishers. This is done through its various publications and programs, with one of the programs being the CCBC’s regional library collections. There are five collections in total and they act as a depository for researchers.
The main collection is currently housed at the CCBC’s Toronto office. The four remaining collections are housed at the faculties of education at the University of British Columbia, the University of Alberta, the University of Manitoba, and Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax. Each of the collections contains almost every English-language Canadian children’s book published since 1976.
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre is issuing this Request for Expression of Interest to libraries (academic or public) in Ontario or Quebec, who are interested in housing and maintaining the CCBC’s growing Toronto collection of English-language Canadian children’s books. The CCBC is looking to relocate this collection in early 2020.
2. OPPORTUNITY
Some of Canada’s most beloved characters grace the pages of the children’s books that line the shelves of the CCBC’s library collection. From a princess who tames dragons in Munsch’s classic feminist tale to a little girl who knows that red is best, young readers have fallen in love with these characters… while possibly eating a large serving of alligator pie.
Canadian publishers have produced an extraordinary array of award-winning works by Canadian authors and illustrators over the last four decades. These books have allowed Canadian children to read stories set in places that are familiar to them, that reflect Canada’s rich historical mosaic and give them access to stories with unique Canadian perspectives. Written by Canadians from coast to coast to coast, these stories help children learn through the imaginative experience of reading and help them to see the world, and its joys and sadness, in many different ways.
A library in central Canada will have the opportunity to house one of the most comprehensive collections of English-language Canadian children’s literature. Unlike other collections, this is one that has never been weeded. This vast collection will have added value for their existing patrons, and it has the potential to attract new clientele (e.g., writers, researchers from various disciplines, etc.) as well.
The collection contains approximately 18,000 titles, with close to 800 titles being added annually. At present, approximately 4,000 titles are catalogued. It is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to study the history of Canadian children’s publishing in Canada. In an academic setting, it is a resource that is beneficial to members within the disciplines of education and/or information studies. In a public library setting, the collection supports the school curriculum, and would be invaluable to budding children’s writers and illustrators.
- PROJECT
For 43 years, the CCBC has been committed to supporting individuals of numerous professions and disciplines. As such, it is in our best interest to ensure that we continue providing high quality resources and support. To this end, the CCBC board of directors have made the decision to seek out a new location to house the library collection that is more similar to the environment of the CCBC’s other regional collections, where access to the collection is wider because of extended hours and where there is infrastructure for loaning the material to the public. Furthermore, as the collection keeps growing, the CCBC will not have the capacity in the future to keep housing it.
- SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
To recap, the Canadian Children’s Book Centre is issuing this Request for Expression of Interest to libraries (academic or public) in Ontario or Quebec, who are interested in housing and maintaining the CCBC’s growing Toronto collection of English-language Canadian children’s books. The CCBC is looking to relocate this collection by March 1, 2020.
The CCBC will cover the costs of shipping the collection to the new location, and is willing to work with the library to establish a model for curating and circulating that works for them. Eligible applicants must ensure that they have the space to house a collection of this size and have the resources to catalogue the collection. Applicants should also include in their application why they are interested in the collection. Please complete the enclosed form.
The CCBC will hold and information session to answer any questions applicants may have on November 12 at 2pm EST. The session will take place either by conference call or by Zoom. If you are interested in attending the session, please contact Meghan Howe at meghan@bookcentre.ca.
Deadline for applications is Friday, November 22, 2019. Applications can be submitted by email to Meghan Howe at meghan@bookcentre.ca.
Download the PDF of this Request for Interest here.
ABOUT THE CANADIAN CHILDREN’S BOOK CENTRE
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) is a national, not-for-profit organization founded in 1976. We are dedicated to encouraging, promoting and supporting the reading, writing, illustrating and publishing of Canadian books for young readers. Our programs, publications, and resources help teachers, librarians, booksellers and parents select the very best for young readers.
At the heart of our work at the Canadian Children’s Book Centre is our love for the books that get published in Canada each year, and our commitment to raising awareness of the quality and variety of Canadian books for young readers.
Our programs, such as Canadian Children’s Book Week and the TD Grade One Book Giveaway, are designed to introduce young Canadian readers not only to the books around them, but to the authors and illustrators who create them. Our quarterly magazine Canadian Children’s Book News and the semi-annual Best Books for Kids & Teens selection guide are designed to help parents, librarians and educators discover the world of Canadian books and to help them to select the best reading material for young readers.
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre reaches well over half a million people each year, and we’re still growing. To learn more, visit bookcentre.ca.