McMaster Library NEWS Building the Library of the Future

http://library.mcmaster.ca New series 13, no. 1, spring/summer 2003

Joseph M. Pigott Diaries remarkable administrator, patriot, and Depression as a way of promoting urban visionary. Under his supervi- employment; how he worked with the McMaster University Library was sion, Wartime Housing constructed Catholic hierarchy to secure contracts very fortunate to receive the Joseph accommodation for 50,000 war for churches, parish halls, schools, M. Pigott fonds as a donation from workers in a variety of Canadian and hospitals. Pigott made and used some of J. M. Pigott’s grandchildren industrial centres and ports. Many of connections, knew his business, and in 2000. The diaries, consisting of the houses, meant to be temporary, worked long hours. daily journals, condensed journals survive today. J.M. envisioned From roughly 1910 through the and travel diaries spanning the 1920s the diaries depict a man in period 1910–1968, are an extremely motion, for Pigott travelled the valuable addition to the Library’s continent—usually by train—in research collections. In the article search of contracts, skilled workers, below Dr. John Weaver, Professor in finances, and building materials. If McMaster’s Department of History, there was a secret to his success, it writes about Pigott’s significance in was his attention to details which the context of Canadian corporate led to the multiplication of pennies and social history, and the impor- into dollars. Students discovered tance of his diaries for primary that he negotiated everything: sand, research. cement, cut stone, lumber, labour, The privilege of teaching History legal fees, the interest he paid for in a university holding fine research operating loans. While seeking collections is rewarded with choice Pigott’s Daily Journal 1933 savings, he remained conscious of student projects. After a reconnais- quality. His pride in Hamilton’s sance of the Joseph M. Pigott fonds building the wartime shelter to last so Christ the King Cathedral, the original last winter, I directed four senior it would provide social housing in the buildings of McMaster University, the students—Greg Sworden, Emidio postwar years, a radical proposition Pigott Building, and the Royal Santroni, Andrea Thomas, and Tara that the federal government rejected. Ontario Museum was palpable. To McLean—to work with the J.M. built to last in any case. John learn more about cathedral construc- collection’s diaries (daily journals Bacher’s book Keeping to the Mar- (continued on p.2) from 1911–68), and produce an ketplace: The Evolution of Canadian assessment of one of twentieth-century Housing Policy (McGill-Queen’s, Canada’s great city builders. After 1993) established the importance of WWII, Pigott Construction was J.M.’s public career. The Pigott fonds In This Issue: Canada’s largest privately owned confirm the brilliance of the private construction company. The students career. Joseph M. Pigott Diaries ...... 1 became enthusiasts of primary What the diaries revealed was how What Our Users Told Us! ...... 2 research, and fans of Joseph M. Pigott. J.M. operated as a highly successful Gifts-in-Kind to the Library ...... 2 I first became aware of Joseph building contractor; how he worked Pierre Berton ...... 3 Pigott’s public career when John with counterparts to propose appren- High School Students as Bacher, a Ph.D. student, wrote his ticeship schemes for the building Researchers ...... 3 thesis on Canadian housing policy trades and public works in the Recent Notable Aquisitions ...... 4 Depression; how he approached from the 1920s to the 1950s. John Recent Notable Gifts ...... 4 observed that Joseph M. Pigott (J.M.), national, provincial, and local Publications...... 4 as the head of Wartime Housing governments for contracts; how he

Limited, a Crown Corporation, was a promoted city beautification in the Calendar ...... 4 McMaster Library NEWS 1 (Joesph M. Pigott — cont’d from p.1) What Our Users Told Us! Over the coming months, we’ll be tion, he went to New York and toured looking more closely at the responses its great churches. Like many The University Library conducted a to identify areas where we can make Hamilton business figures, J.M. was general survey in January 2003, with improvements. In the meantime, we both a patriot and a continentalist. The one version of the survey mailed to all treasure the impassioned words of one family contracting business was a University faculty (except for those in student respondent: “I love national and international affair Health Sciences) and one handed to libraries!” before 1920. 1200 students in Mills, Innis, and Sheila Pepper Joseph M. Pigott was the son of Thode libraries. Michael Pigott, a Hamilton carpenter We based the 2003 survey on the Gifts-In-Kind to the Library who jumped from house construction surveys done in 1997 and 1999, but to large projects in 1885 with a made slight changes to make it easier One of the ways we are able to contract for Hamilton’s James Street to complete. enrich our library collections is armoury. That was also the year of What did our users say? through in-kind gifts from our donors. J.M.’s birth. During the prairie boom Faculty and Students continue to Gifts-in-kind can include everything prior to WWI, the firm moved west be generally pleased with our staff from books, art collections and (1909–14), constructing public and services and we are making good equipment to real estate, stocks and buildings in Saskatchewan. During progress in promoting our infor- bonds; those typically offered to the 1915, operations shifted to factory mation literacy program, with only Library are scholarly books and building in Detroit, and here J.M. 48% of faculty respondents ticking journals, archives, manuscripts and established a connection with an the “N/A” response, as opposed to maps. We have been fortunate to American lending institution that he 63% who said they did not use our receive many donations of valuable used on his return to Canada in 1916. instructional programs in 1999. scholarly materials which we could While the diaries offer rare insights However both Faculty and Student not normally have acquired. As into city-building processes, they also respondents share our concern with purchased or subscribed resources contain human interest details on such Library collections and many took the become more and more costly, the matters as the post-war influenza trouble to comment that the Library research materials we receive as gifts epidemic and the Depression. As an should be given more money for book become increasingly important in influential business leader by 1930, and journal purchases—“Add more supporting the teaching, learning and J.M. exchanged gifts with corporate books and periodicals!” research activities of the University. heads in Hamilton and elsewhere. At The debate on the provision of Many prospective donors contact us Christmas 1931, he recorded “in resources in electronic or print format about potential GIK donations, and we previous years my desk has always continues to divide along lines of very much appreciate all offers. been piled up with cigars, bottles, subject discipline and personal prefer- Before accepting a donation, we books, leather folders, and pencil sets. ence, although students generally consider the item or collection in the This year 1 book: hard times alright.” seem far more willing to embrace the context of the Library’s existing Throughout the Depression, J.M. convenience of electronic delivery. holdings and collection policies. worried about labour. The loss of Our students are already feeling the Occasionally we must decline offered skills as workers remained idle shadow of the impending double materials for various reasons: space troubled him; he wrote articles on cohort and make impassioned pleas limitations for multiple copies, the public works both as relief measures for more equipment, more study questionable research value of and opportunities to beautify. For a space, more everything. outdated materials, whether or not we large-scale builder, the great chal- 59% of student respondents collect in a given subject area or lenge, one that J.M. faced throughout answered that they access Library language. If we are unable to accept a his career, was “the continuity of big resources from home or residence gift, we do our best to advise indi- jobs [1967].” In striving to secure (compared to 90% faculty response), viduals about other institutions that these, the family firm built projects but only 11% of students bring a may be interested or more suitable for across Canada. laptop to campus (24% for faculty). a particular donation, or sometimes, J.M.’s diaries provide rare insights We’d like to do further research to ways to dispose of their collections. into the mind of a complex, wise, find out whether the low response rate What kinds of research materials energetic, and notable Canadian. My for laptop use in the student popula- are needed as donations? students had the privilege of working tion reflects the actual level of laptop recent (i.e. past 8 years) scholarly with a resource which influenced how ownership or the relative lack of works in humanities, social sciences, they now regard cities. Ethernet connections for laptops science, engineering and business John Weaver on-campus. (continued on p.3) 2 McMaster Library NEWS Pierre Berton on The Joy of Writing If you would like information on how the Library processes GIK Pierre Berton’s well-chosen title for manuscripts, research materials, donations, please go to: http:// his latest book, The Joy of Writing, correspondence, speeches, promo- library.lib.mcmaster.ca/develop/ says it all. How else to explain the tional material and photographs with bookgift.htm prolific writer’s tremen- Canadian and interna- Anne Plessl dous output of best-selling tional celebrities. books? Dr. Berton, who Looking through the High School Students as himself clearly derives joy extensive Pierre Berton Researchers out of writing, has written fonds in Archives and a book for aspiring writers Research Collections, Early in March, reference librarians to share in that joy. On you can witness from McMaster met with representa- Monday, March 10, Berton’s development as tives from the Hamilton-Wentworth Dr. Berton was at a journalist, writer and and Halton Boards of Education McMaster to read to some broadcaster. (public and separate); Burlington, 100 students and other Dr. Berton was Hamilton, and Oakville public guests from The Joy of granted an Honorary libraries; and Mohawk and Sheridan Writing. He captivated the Doctor of Letters degree College libraries. The meeting was audience with many by McMaster on prompted by reference staff’s growing interesting and entertain- November 11, 1983. concern with the rapidly decreasing ing stories, and offered Introducing Berton at number of electronic resources that practical advice from his the convocation cer- McMaster can make available to non- book to the budding emony, Dr. Peter McMaster users. (Most vendor author. Practical advice George, then Dean of licenses limit access to current that was worth paying Social Sciences, said McMaster faculty, students, and attention to, considering this: “In a moving staff.) The purpose of the meeting was Berton’s credentials as account of Phillips to explore the availability of other one of Canada’s most Thomson, Dr. Berton local resources for high school successful, longstanding once wrote that his students as a particular group of and influential authors. grandfather ‘could not researchers.The meeting revealed that Dr. Berton has a long stop writing’. Neither, the school boards and public libraries association with Photo and book cover courtesy of we hope, can Dr. provide a wide variety of electronic McMaster. In 1974, the Pierre Berton Berton…” In the 20 resources appropriate for high school University Library received the 1st years that have since passed, Dr. researchers, and that these students accrual of his papers, and received the George’s words have certainly been should be directed to McMaster’s most recent one, the 12th, in 2002. The realized. With the publication of The library only after exhausting these archive contains Berton’s original Joy of Writing, it is evident why. resources. Anne Plessl Participants agreed that the session was very worthwhile, and (Gifts-in-Kind — cont’d from p.2) journals, please call (905) 525-9140 plans are underway to follow up with current publications by McMaster ext. 24865. We will be pleased to sessions which will be expanded to faculty discuss your potential donation with include high school librarians and archives, rare maps you. Books that are added to the teacher librarians. rare and unusual editions collection will receive bookplates The Library will still offer Generally, the Library can’t accept acknowledging the gift. instruction sessions to high school donations of: For information on the tax implica- groups when requested. What we will duplicates, unless there is heavy tions of donating gifts-in-kind, see be recommending, however, is that demand for them in course work Canada Customs and Revenue incoming groups combine the library material in poor condition, except Agency’s publication Gifts and session with a campus tour or for rare and valuable items Income Tax at: attending a class, thus making the newspapers, photocopies, popular http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/E/pub/tg/ visit to campus a broader university paperbacks p113/README.html experience. single issues of journals To receive a print copy, contact your For further information, please If you are interested in donating local tax services office or call: contact Donna Millard, Acting books, archives, manuscripts, maps or 1-800-959-2221. (continued on p.4) McMaster Library NEWS 3 (High School Students — cont’d from p.3) collection of books pertaining prima- Russell, Bertrand. Russell on Reference Services Manager at rily to Palestine (e.g. George Sandys, Metaphysics: Selections from the [email protected] A Relation of a Journey Begun Writings of Bertrand Russell. Stephen Sheila Pepper, Donna Millard An:Dom: 1610. Fovre Bookes. Mumford, ed. London: Routledge, Containing a Description of the 2003. Recent Notable Acquisitions Turkish Empire, of Aegypt, of the Holy Land, of the Remote Parts of Calendar The Library has purchased the Italy, and Lands Adioyning, 1621; and following important research Henry Rooke, Travels to the Coast of Exhibit in Archives and Research materials: Arabia Felix, 1783) and an archival Collections, Mills Library:
The eleventh and final accrual of collection pertaining to Alex Aronson May–July: “A Showcase of the archives of Matt Cohen, one of (includes a letter from Martin Luther Donations: A Celebration of Canada’s most distinguished writers. King, Jr.). Wonderful Books, Maps and Manu- Cohen won the Governor General’s
Denise E. Meyer, the archives of scripts Received from Donors in Award for Fiction for Elizabeth and her late husband, Professor Ben F. Recent Years”. After two weeks before he died of Meyer, a theologian. cancer in December 1999. The
Russ Parker, a collection of books archive includes: Cohen’s earliest on the topics of art, history, music and writings and correspondence; his literature. It has come to our attention that the report cards and certificates from
Rogers Publishing, the ninth Preservation Tip in the McMaster Hebrew School; correspondence with accrual of the Macmillan Canada Library News (fall/winter 2002) George Grant, Margaret Atwood, archives, including incorporation inadvertently neglected to provide Greg Hollingshead, Robert Fulford documents, letters patent, minute attribution for this tip to the Canadian and many other authors and writers; books, ledgers of royalty contract Association for Conservation of research notebooks, diaries and information, and legal material. Cultural Property and the Canadian manuscripts, including material
Stephen Leacock Associaton, 43 Association of Professional Conserva- documenting his authorship of books nominated for the 2002 tors. We apologize for this error. children’s books under the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour. pseudonym of Teddy Jam.
Professor Peter Stevens, the second accrual of his archives. Recent Notable Gifts
George Whitehead, a collection of documents and manuscripts concern- The Library has received the ing Bertrand Russell and the First following gifts from: World War, including correspondence
Kevin Adams, Tremaine’s Map of with Alfred North Whitehead and the the Counties of Lincoln and Welland holograph manuscript of “Political (1862). Ideals”.
Pierre Berton, the twelfth accrual
Rose and John Wilson, the archives of his archives. of the Canadian poet Ron Everson.
Professor Elizabeth Eames, six We are grateful to all donors for letters from Bertrand Russell and one their generosity to the Library. letter to Countess Edith Russell, 1965–9, concerning Russell’s Publications epistemology.
Professor Robert Hanks, a note- The following recent publications book memoir done by G. Hanks, the made use of our collections: Sick Bay Attendant on board the Berton, Pierre. The Joy of Writing: H.M.S. Carnarvon in 1914–5. A Guide for Writers, Disguised as a
Key Porter Books, the third accrual Literary Memoir. Toronto: Doubleday McMaster Library NEWS (ISSN 0024–9270) of the company’s archives. Canada, 2003. (Editors: C.A. Stewart, A. Plessl; typesetter: E. McLean)
Professor Christopher Levenson, Russell, Bertrand. Man’s Peril, is published by: the second accrual of his archives. 1954–55. Andrew G. Bone, ed. McMaster University Library Press
London: Routledge, 2003. Vol. 28 of McMaster University Library Professor Eugene McNamara, the 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton, ON Canada L8S 4L6 second accrual of his archives. The Collected Papers of Bertrand  (905) 525-9140 x24737, x24865, x27099
Professor Alan Mendelson, a Russell. 4 McMaster Library NEWS