The Madawaska Book Club was formed in Arnprior in 1962. Originally a member of the Canadian Home Reading Union, the group decided to drop its membership in the Union in 1991. Funds were used to buy books and magazines for use in Arnprior & District Library, the Grove nursing home and the Arnprior & District Hospital. Also, the group sent parcels of books to schools where funds were not available for a library.
The book club held monthly meetings beginning in September where readings of poetry, book reports and exchanges followed regular business meetings. Often, the book club invited guest authors to their meetings where they would discuss the research, background and intent of the novel with the members.
Acquisition Source
Donated by the president Gillian Danby and Diane Brearly (secretary) in 2000. Accrual January 2013
Scope and Content
The collection consists of four file folders containing minutes of the Madawaska Book Club, membership lists and bookkeeping related to membership, as well as book lists, correspondence, photographs, general discussion of the books etc.
Of particular note is a small collection of photographs, news clippings, thank you letters etc. from an event that was organized by the Madawaska Book Club and hosted by Gillian Danby in her beautiful garden in June 2003. It was organized by the book club to honour the Arnprior Book Store (Gwen Storie), Arnprior Public Library staff and Arnprior Public Library Board members.