Our Activist Past: Nora Bateson, Champion of Regional Libraries

Abstract

The struggle to establish regional library systems in Canada was won slowly, province by province, beginning in the 1930s. This article traces the story of one of the colourful leaders of the library profession, who established a regional library system in Prince Edward Island and set the stage for regional libraries in Nova Scotia. Grounded in adult education and a passion for social justice, Nora Bateson championed a vision of libraries as agents of personal and community development. Her zeal, commitment and clashes with those in power speak of the qualities needed by activists today, and of the challenges faced by those who see libraries as centres of change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]Copyright of Partnership: The Canadian Journal of Library & Information Practice & Research is the property of Ontario Library Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)