A Book in Every Hand: Public Libraries in Saskatchewan

Bonnie Wagner is a historian at Parks Canada in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

A Book in Every Hand chronicles the development of the public library
system in Saskatchewan. Beginning with the early territorial libraries,
Kerr outlines the creation of the travelling libraries, each of the
eight regional library systems, the Regina and Saskatoon public
libraries, and the major library associations, and includes brief
discussions of the major legislative acts and inquiries that affected
library development in Saskatchewan. He argues that the Saskatchewan
library system continually reinvents itself in order to effectively
serve all people in Saskatchewan, regardless of whether they live in
major urban centres, small rural communities, or northern Saskatchewan.

Kerr provides detailed accounts of the formation of each of the
regional libraries; however, these accounts quickly become repetitive as
most of the regional library systems came together in the same manner.
This book is basically one regional library history after another with
little connection between the histories to create a broader picture of
library development in the province. For instance, Kerr does not discuss
how events occurring outside of the library world—such as increasing
education levels, inflation, change of governing party, and the arrival
of the Internet—may have affected library use and funding.

The author’s research materials are primarily the records and
archives of the libraries. He did not consult government records or
other non-library sources to look at the Saskatchewan library system
from the point of view of those not directly involved in it. Kerr is
clear from the beginning that he worked as a trustee in the Saskatchewan
library system and has definite opinions about its development. His
well-researched book will appeal to readers interested in the
development of a particular library region, but it will be less helpful
to those seeking a broader view of library development in Saskatchewan.