#Library and Archives Canada

[mudwerks]

Miss L. Smith, Ottawa, Ontario

William James Topley (September 1889)

[rabbitcruiser]

Bibliomania Day

Bibliomania Day, celebrated on March 20 every year, commemorates the anniversary of the great grand heist of 23,600 books executed by Stephen Blumberg. Many people confuse bibliophilia — the love of books, with bibliomania, the compulsive disorder of hoarding books. This obsession with collecting books can even go on to damage a person’s social relations or health. Let’s learn more about bibliomania, its symptoms, facts, and how to know if you are a bibliomaniac.

HISTORY OF BIBLIOMANIA DAY

The story behind Bibliomania Day started in the 1950s, then later made popular by Stephen Blumberg, also known as the ‘Book Bandit,’ from Iowa who hoarded thousands of books. He amassed over 23,600 books from 327 libraries and museums across 45 states, two provinces in Canada, and the District of Columbia. The combined worth of the books was estimated to be $5,3 million. On March 20, 1990, Blumberg was caught when his friend turned him over to the F.B.I.

The term stems from two Greek words ���biblio-’ meaning ‘book’ and ‘mania’ meaning madness.’ In essence ‘bibliomania’ translates to book madness. The term was initially used in 1734 by book collector Thomas Hearne. He wrote in his diary, “I should have been tempted to have laid out a pretty deal of money without thinking myself at all touched with bibliomania.” But, it was in 1809 when the term became widely known to people as Thomas Dibdin published a book titled “BIBLIOMANIA or Book of Madness.” He mentioned in his book that bibliomania is a medical condition called “the book disease.”

Symptoms of bibliomania include habits of acquiring large quantities of books, an excessive possessiveness over the collection, and also feeling distressed. There are no reasons why a person might become a bibliomaniac. In most cases, bibliomaniacs often become addicted to book collecting when they are very young. They do this as a way of coping with a difficult hardship. So, keep a check on your love for books!

BIBLIOMANIA DAY TIMELINE

1734

The First Use of the Word

Thomas Hearne uses the word ‘bibliomania’ in his diary

1750

A Letter to a Son

Lord Chesterfield writes a letter to his son where he mentions “Beware of the bibliomanie.”

1809

Book Madness is Published

Reverend Thomas Dibdin publishes a book titled “BIBLIOMANIA or Book madness.”

1990

The Book Bandit is Caught

Stephen Blumberg is caught and handed over to the F.B.I. for stealing books.

BIBLIOMANIA DAY FAQS

What are the other words for Bibliomania?

The love for books can be expressed in many terms including bibliomaniac, bibliophile, bookworm, book-lover, and book reviewer.

Who popularized the term Bibliomania?

John Ferriar, a physician at the Manchester Royal Infirmary, coined the term bibliomania. He dedicated it to his bibliomaniac friend.

Can you become obsessed with a book?

Yes, it is possible to become obsessed with books or even a particular book. However, most of the time, the book obsession will be under control.

BIBLIOMANIA DAY ACTIVITIES

Buy books: The best way to celebrate Bibliomania Day is by buying or getting as many books as possible. It would be much better if you were to buy them and probably not heist them!

Read books on bibliomania: Celebrate this day by reading books that give insight into bibliomania. Examples are books such as “A Gentle Madness: Bibliophiles, Bibliomanes, and the Eternal Passion for Books.”

Gift a book to someone: What’s better than buying books or reading them on Bibliomania Day to celebrate it? Yes, you guessed it! Gifting them! You can give books to your friends, family, or colleagues.

5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT BIBLIOMANIA

Not a recognized disorder: The American Psychiatric Association refused to recognize bibliomania as a disorder.

It has a Japanese name too: In Japanese, bibliomania is called ‘tsundoku,’ and is good behavior.

They can be seduced by books: Bibliomaniacs can be aroused by the presence of books.

The vello-mania: There is also a condition called vello-mania whereby the person accumulates documents.

It may indicate abuse: Some experts suggest bibliomania may develop due to trauma or repeated abuse.

WHY WE LOVE BIBLIOMANIA DAY

Books are awesome: Books are not just some papers to read. They have been proven to promote brain growth, spark creativity and change us to be smart people. Well, what more can we ask for?

It fosters healthy relationships: Reading books and sharing the love for books on Bibliomania Day with your friends, family, or strangers fosters a healthy relationship. Books can get people to bond.

It teaches us life: Books are a gateway to another world where everything is possible and doable. Whatever book you may read, it can teach you something new.

Source

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"Artistic Bookbindings Display Attracts Many," Ottawa Journal. December 7, 1942. Page 9. ---- An exhibition of bookbindings by Louis Forest of much artistic merit was formally opened by Hon. Justice Thibaudeau Rinfret at the Carnegie Public Library Saturday evening, before a distinguished gathering from diplomatic and artistic circles. Mr. Forest has used a variety of materials and an extensive color range in producing a distinctive style. Each of his covers is given different treatment, from the accepted classic to modernistic. His work show great creative imagination and detailed craftsmanship, and is so well thought out and executed as to always be in complete accord with the theme of the volume. Hon. Justice Rinfret in declaring the exhibition open, spoke highly of Mr. Forest's artistic ability and the excellence of the work displayed.

In the absence of the librarian, F. C. Jennings, Fulgence Charpentier introduced Hon. Justice Rinfret who spoke in French.

In 1928 Mr. Forest went to Paris to study the art of bookbinding. On his return to Canada he was associated with the Library Beauchemin and later, for 13 years, taught binding and printing to the prisoners of St. Vincent de Paul penitentiary. In April, 1941, he came to the Archives at Ottawa. Mr. Forest was the sole Canadian exhibitor at the Paris International Exhibition of 1937. The cold, desolation and solitude of the Canadian forest are symbolized in the striking cover of "Maria Chapdelaine" finished in blue white and black. Birch wood is used for the binding of "Vieux Doc" which has a small shutter opening fastened with handmade clasps which discloses inside a picture of the elderly doctor read- ing. "Ville O ma Ville", a deluxe edition in commemoration of the third centenerary of Montreal, is bound in blue leather edged with a scroll of fleur-de-lis and roses." The blue symbolizes Ville Marie, the fleur-de-lis and roses the two' great races which form the population of Montreal. The spires of Notre Dame are depicted on one volume while another shows the church at Tadoussac painted in strong, vivid color. Sharkskin from Denmark supplies novel material for yet another. Anyone fortunate enough. to possess one of Mr. Forest's art-bindings should treasure it highly for in addition to its intrinsic value it is a contribution to the rising standards of Canadian art. H. M.

[readerviews]

"Black Rose Cocoon" by A.G. Flitcher

A gripping novel of mystery and terror #books #bookreview #reading #readerviews

Black Rose Cocoon A.G. FlitcherLibrary and Archives Canada (2024)ISBN: 978-1999410865Reviewed by Dawn Colclasure for Reader Views (07/2024) “Black Rose Cocoon” by A.G. Flitcher is unlike any other crime horror novel I have read. Filled with horror, darkness, suspense, and mystery, it is the kind of story that starts off strong and keeps up the pace until the end. Told from the point-of-view of…

[needcaffeine]

Service, Fall In! National League For Womans Service / Joignez les rangs! Ligue nationale pour le service des femmes by Library and Archives Canada / Bibliothèque et Archives Canada Via Flickr: Title / Titre : Service, Fall In! National League For Womans Service / Joignez les rangs! Ligue nationale pour le service des femmes Creator(s) / Créateur(s) : Unknown / Inconnu Date(s) : 1914-1918 Reference No. / Numéro de référence : ITEM 3667988 central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.redirect?app=fonandcol&id=3667... Location / Lieu : Unknown / Inconnu Credit / Mention de source : Library and Archives Canada, e010697670 / Bibliothèque et Archives Canada, e010697670

[tonifrissells]

Personnel of the Canadian Women's Army Corps (C.W.A.C.) taking part in a firefighting exercise, London, England, 28 February 1943.

Credit: Capt. Frank Royal, Canadian Department of National Defence, Library and Archives Canada, PA-037479.

ID 3381922

[mythosphere]

I love academia because everyone has loud parasocial beef with a specific scholar over a completely asinine point. like yeah that's my future colleague kevin, he thinks Alexander the Great is a fascist. i would deck him in the face if i could.

[olganikolaevnas]

Queen Mother Ottawa, 1939 Library and Archives, Government of Canada. Archives/Collections and Fonds - Item ID number 3356694 [x]

This photo was taken in Ottawa cir. 1939, during King George VI and Queen Elizabeth's royal tour of Canada. The royal tour of 1939 marked the first time a reigning Monarch of Canada stepped foot on Canadian soil. Queen Elizabeth greatly enjoyed her visit to Canada, and would return many more times after the passing of King George VI in 1952.

[sophia-sol]

I'm really enjoying the new Porter Talk series on the Discover Library & Archives Canada podcast! Featuring lots of recordings of interviews with black sleeping car porters in Canada in the 20th century, getting to hear in their words and voices what experiences they had and what they thought about things, with contextualisation from the podcast host and expert guests.

Stanley Grizzle was a porter and union activist who became deeply interested in preserving archival information about porters, and he took on the project of interviewing as many porters as he could. His fonds includes 30 hours of cassette recordings of interviews! One loves to hear of these kinds of people who decide something is important even when nobody else at the time values it, and go to great length to preserve and archive it.

You can find the podcast here, with 3 episodes of porter talk so far: https://library-archives.canada.ca/eng/collection/engage-learn/podcast/pages/podcasts.aspx

[queerliblib]

I'll follow in the hopes that some day you may be able to figure out how to expand to Canada or maybe you can find a team able and willing to operate a sibling branch in Canada so each country has their own branch

It would be very cool to expand outside the US one day. There would just be a lot more legal and financial hoops to jump through, so one thing at a time! Gotta get the library funded and open first.

In the meantime allow us to share some existing (generally brick & mortar, not fully digital) queer Canadian libraries & archives!

Out on the Shelves (Vancouver, BC)

Bibliothèque à livres ouvert (the open book library - Montréal)

The ArQuives (Toronto, Ontario)

Archives Gaies du Québec (Montréal, Québec)

Pride Library (London, Ontario)

The Transgender Archives @ UVic (Victoria, BC)

[em-dashes]

anyway while i wait for the distribution to sort out, i submitted an isbn deposit for the e-book edition of Suddence, so i did do something productive (❁´◡`❁)

[mudwerks]

Suppose Everybody Said "Let George Do It" Work-Save and Lend for Victory

1942

[burrowkit]

Freedom to Read Week

I just found out that this upcoming week (February 23-March 1) is Freedom to Read week in Canada.

I only found out cause I was on my local library's website, and anyways, here's the link to freedom to read: https://www.freedomtoread.ca/freedom-to-read-week/

I just think that's cool.

My library has a bunch of list of books suggested to read for this week. (When I clicked on it, it pulled up the list of all their articles, including past years' "Banned Books" lists that they encourage others to put on hold and read!)

I'd share the list but it kind of would expose where, exactly, I live. But there is a list of 40 books!

The actual description of the list:

Freedom to Read Week is an annual event that encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom. In 2025, Freedom to Read will be celebrated February 23 - March 1. To help you celebrate, we have a list of books that have been challenged either in Canada or internationally.

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"Deposit Colors In Archives Sunday," Ottawa Citizen. July 25, 1942. Page 18. ---- In a colorful ceremony tomorrow afternoon, the 2nd Canadian Battalion (First Great War) will deposit their colors in the Dominion Archives. A parade will leave the Drill Hall at three o'clock, proceeding by way of the Driveway. Connaught Place and Sussex street to the Archives. The band of the Governor General's Foot Guards, leading the parade, will be followed by the 2nd Battalion veterans, the First Battalion of the 21st Canadian Armored Regiment (G.G.F.G.) of Debert, N.S., led by Captain W. B. Bowker of Ottawa, and the reserve battalion of the Governor General's Foot Guards and the Peterboro Rangers. Col. W. B. Megloughlin will be in command. Following the unveiling of the colors at the Archives, Dr. Gustave Lanctot. Dominion archivist, will accept them for safe keeping in the military museum. The battalion colors were presented to the 2nd Battalion by Charles W. Band, and the King's color by the late King George V. Leaving the Archives, the order of the parade will be reversed so that the active army unit will lead. Defence Minister Ralston, Mayor Stanley Lewis and other prominent men are expected to attend.

[needcaffeine]

Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service "Wrens" Mary (?) and Kitty Kelly visiting barrage balloon site... / Mary (?) et Kitty Kelly, du Service féminin de la Marine royale du Canada, visitent un lieu protégé par un ballon de barrage... by Library and Archives Canada / Bibliothèque et Archives Canada Via Flickr: Title / Titre : Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service "Wrens" Mary (?) and Kitty Kelly visiting barrage balloon site with Women's Auxiliary Air Force personnel manning the balloons / Mary (?) et Kitty Kelly, du Service féminin de la Marine royale du Canada, visitent un lieu protégé par un ballon de barrage dont s’occupent des membres du Corps auxiliaire féminin de l’Aviation canadienne Creator(s) / Créateur(s) : Unknown / Inconnu Date(s) : 1944 Reference No. / Numéro de référence : ITEM 4950991 central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.redirect?app=fonandcol&id=4950... Location / Lieu : Unknown / Inconnu Credit / Mention de source : Canada. Department of National Defence. Library and Archives Canada, e010777316 / Canada. Ministère de la défense nationale. Bibliothèque et Archives Canada, e010777316

[tonifrissells]

Rifleman R.M. Douglas of The Royal Winnipeg Rifles with a group of Dutch women who are celebrating the liberation of Deventer, Netherlands, 10 April 1945.

Credit: Lieut. Donald I. Grant, Canadian Department of National Defence, Library and Archives Canada, PA-140683.

ID 3200238