Fonds F2272 - Canadian Home Reading Union Fonds

The antecedents for the Canadian Home Reading Union were planted in England on 20 June 1889, in the home of Lord Aberdeen. Many distinguished persons were in attendance, including the future Archbishop of Canterbury, Frederick Temple, and the man credited with founding the National Home Reading Union, John Brown Paton, D.D.. Inspired upon hearing from American friends about the great reading university, Chatauqua, with its popular summer lectures and conferences held on the shores of the lake baring the same name, Dr. Paton founded the N.H.R.U. with a donation of four hundred pounds. With its aims of guiding readers of all ages to choose worthwhile books; to unite them into a great reading guild; and group readers where possible, into reading circles for mutual help and interest, the Union soon grew rapidly and spread all over Great Britain and to all corners of the British Empire, including Canada.

The first Canadian branch was formed in Ottawa, in 1896, during the residency of Lord and Lady Aberdeen at Rideau Hall. Unlike its British counterpart, the Ottawa Branch of the National Home Reading Unioin was more intrested in self-education, and less concerned about community responsibility. With the dissolution of the N.H.R.U. in 1931, the Ottawa Branch was instrumental in founding the Canadian Home Reading Union the same year. Starting bravely with two branches, the second being formed in Toronto, the C.H.R.U. stated, "the objects of this Union are to encourage reading and the appreciation of good literature; to help members in the choice and use of good books, new and old; and to provide a means of continuous self-education by systematic reading." A Central Committee was formed to carry out these aims, with its first duty being to create new circles in various centres; to service them by preparing programmes on request; to select books for reading courses; and to lend books to smaller circles. These objectives did not come without a price tag, and so a per capita fee of ten cents was levied on each member. At the first annual meeting, held in Toronto, in 1932, attendees decided to print an "Annual Pamphlet", providing the names of Central and Branch officers, plus the programmes of the various branches, for the ensuing year.