George Locke

For the Canadian judge, see George R. Locke.

George Herbert Locke (March 29, 1870 – January 28, 1937) was a Canadian librarian. He was chief librarian of the Toronto Public Library from 1908 until his death, a time of great expansion in that library system. In 1926-27 he became the second Canadian to be president of the American Library Association.^[1] The George H. Locke Memorial Branch of the Toronto Public Library, which opened in 1949, is named after him.^[2][3]

George Locke
President of the American Library Association
In office 1926–1927
Preceded by	Charles F. D. Belden
Succeeded by	Carl B. Roden
Personal details
Born	George Herbert Locke (1870-03-29)March 29, 1870 Beamsville, Ontario, Canada
Died	January 28, 1937(1937-01-28) (aged 66) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Education	University of Toronto
Occupation	Librarian

Biography

Locke was born in Beamsville, Ontario, on March 29, 1870,^[4] and was educated at Ryerson Public School in Toronto, Brampton High School, and Collingwood Collegiate Institute. He studied at Victoria University,^[5] and graduated from the University of Toronto in 1893. After graduating, he taught as a professor of ancient history at the University of Toronto and continued to teach at other colleges in subsequent years. He served as editor of the School Review while at the University of Chicago and was also the author of books on Canadian history. He was a member of the Arts and Letters Club of Toronto, and served as president from 1910–1912.^[6] He was survived by his wife Grace Moore Locke.^[7]

In 1930, Locke, along with Mary J. L. Black and John Ridington, were hired as part of a commission of inquiry into the conditions of Canadian public libraries. As part of the commission, Locke and the other commissioners toured Canada to visit and report on local libraries. The commission concluded in 1933 with the publication of Libraries in Canada: A Study of Library Conditions and Needs.^[8][9]

By 1930, Toronto's public library system was recognized as one of the best in North America and George Locke's reputation as a visionary leader had vaulted him to the Presidency of the American Library Association.^[10]

He died on January 28, 1937, in Toronto.^[4]

Bibliography

• Builders of the Canadian Commonwealth. 1923.
• The education of a people : the inaugural lecture delivered at Macdonald College. 1908.
• English History (ALA: Reading with a purpose). 1930.
• Libraries in Canada : a study of library conditions and needs. 1933.
• When Canada Was New France. 1919.