A most cordial invitation from the Toronto public library, through
the librarian, Dr. Locke, had been received for a day's visit in that
city en route to the A. L. A. meeting at Ottawa, and the party which
assembled at Chicago to take the special train looked forward with
great expectation. Needless to say these expectations were fully met.
As this was the first hospitality offered, the zest for enjoyment was
at full height when the party from the middle-west reached Toronto,
Tuesday morning, June 25. Most of the company had left their various
posts of duty only the day before and were ready to enter a new land
with a joyful spirit.
The special train was nearly two hours late in arriving at Toronto and
thereby lost to the visitors the pleasure of an automobile ride which
had been arranged by the City Council. Still, as no one had anticipated
it, the pleasant street car ride, which took its place, was a welcome
change from the confines of the sleeping car. The ride around the
business part of the city on the special cars ended at Victoria
college. A local committee consisting of Dr. A. H. U. Colquhoun, Deputy
Minister of Education, Prof. A. E. Lang, librarian of Victoria college,
Prof. G. H. Needler, librarian of University of Toronto, with Dr. G.
H. Locke as chairman, received the party at Victoria college, where a
luncheon was served to 175 persons, the hosts of the occasion being
the Education Department of the Province of Ontario and the Senate and
Board of Governors of the Victoria college. The Hon. Dr. Pyne, minister
of education, presided over the occasion and speeches were made on
behalf of Victoria college by Hon. Justice MacLaren, on behalf of the
Government by Chairman Dr. Locke and on behalf of the University by
Prof. Alfred Baker. Each in turn expressed the appreciation of the
ideas cherished by the A. L. A. and were most cordial in invitation
to the association to hold a future meeting in Toronto. Response for
the visitors was made by Dr. C. W. Andrews of the John Crerar library,
Chicago, who complimented Ontario on the progress which had been made
in library development and particularly the city of Toronto in its new
work under the new librarian, Dr. Locke, whom Dr. Andrews claimed as a
Chicagoan in view of the fact that he had been so valued a part of the
faculty of the University of Chicago, at one time, for six years.
After the luncheon the new library at Victoria college was thrown open
for inspection. Prof. Lang and his assistants were most courteous in
showing the visitors through and displayed for their inspection some
of the rare volumes and manuscripts, especially specimens of ancient
papyri which are unique.
Later the Premier of the Province of Ontario, Sir James P. Whitney,
received the librarians in the legislative chambers, Parliament
Buildings, and made an address of welcome. From the Parliament
Buildings the librarians visited the library of the University of
Toronto, which they found exceedingly interesting, and well up to date.
Regret was felt by many at the absence of Mr. Langton of the library,
who was in Europe in search of health. A most delightful occasion was
the garden party in the university quadrangle tendered by the Board of
Governors of the university. The ivy covered walls, the greensward,
the perfect day, delightful company and the most cordial hospitality
accompanying the refreshments left an impression of the greatest
pleasure on all who were present. The large number of Toronto citizens
who were present, the faculty with the members of their families, were
most courteous in making the occasion one of great delight.
At six o'clock dinner was served by the public library Board in the art
room of the reference library building. There were 229 at the dinner
which deserved far greater consumption than the hospitality of the
day had left room for, but "the feast of reason and the flow of soul"
were much in evidence. The chairman of the occasion was the President
of the public library Board, Mr. Turnbull. A most hearty address of
welcome was made by Chief Librarian Locke and was responded to in kind
by Mr. Legler of the Chicago public library. After dinner the building
was thrown open for inspection and the visitors enjoyed greatly seeing
the magnificent reading room as well as the other departments of the
library. Of special interest was the J. Ross Robertson historical
collection of 1,000 Canadian pictures, representing various phases of
Canadian life from the earliest period.
It was a happy, if tired party that left on the special train at 10 p.
m. for Ottawa with most grateful memories of cordial hospitality and
pleasant company in the day spent in Toronto.