File f5 - Bassam, Bertha

File consists of a recording of Bertha Bassam. Topics of the conversation include family background. Converting Queen's library to Library of Congress system; work for librarian Lois Saunders. Extramural courses at Queen's, two years full study while coping with illness. Sunday night political discussions at subject's home, 1922. Charlotte Whitton's loyalty, outspokenness; 'her own worst enemy'. Barriefield area during ww1; Armistice Day, 'flu epidemic. Attendance Pratt Institute of Library Sciences. Abortive trip into disreputable New York district: young women reprimanded by fatherly policeman. Class distinctions, prejudices, in Princeton; work at Princeton University Library. Position at Columbia University Library, $1800 annual salary. Selection to work for new University of Toronto Library Sciences school. Offer to join Pratt Institute as Assistant Director, satisfied decision to remain with Toronto. University of Western Ontario's ill-advised library programme.//Male assumption of library administrative positions, despite larger numbers of female graduates; need to encourage women into supervisory positions; women's career-destructive anxiety to please men, fear of criticising. Subject's dislike of 'battling' women's libbers: support of equal opportunity for women, strong support of position of mothers at home. Male, female attributes as largely the result of conditioning. Claude Bissell. Importance of courtesy as a social lubricant. Queen's Alumni parties at Canadian Club, New York. Volunteer work during WWII. Subject's character as Director, respect for colleagues, appreciation of high level of cooperation. Generous proportion of women on U.of T. Senate; subject's opinion that women have not been inhibited by male majorities. Activities prior to retirement: YWCA National Board, American and Canadian Library Associations, etc. Mother's gentle criticism of subject's reticence, importance of formula 'you can't do it' as a goading stimulus. Work at University of Michigan under brilliant director. Career success as the result of opportunities and encouragement, not ambition.