UBC LIBRARY BLOGGERS

UBC Library is excited to announce the installation of the George Bowering Modernists and Postmodernists Collection. The new collection is housed permanently inside the Reading Room at Rare Books and Special Collections (RBSC) and University Archives (UA). The Reading Room recently reopened to the public following extensive renovations at RBSC and UA that included upgrades to the teaching and learning spaces and primary storage vault.

Defining a literary legacy

Poet, novelist, essayist, editor, teacher and more, George Bowering is one of Canada’s most influential writers. He has published over 100 books and chapbooks, is a two-time winner of the Governor General’s Award and has been short-listed for the Griffin Prize for Poetry, the BC Book Prize, the Stephen Leacock Award for Humour and the BC National Non-Fiction Prize. In 2002, he was named Canada’s inaugural Parliamentary Poet Laureate and an Officer of the Order of Canada.

George Bowering holding his baseball mitt, and photos of the Bowering Collection installation in the Reading Room.

The George Bowering Modernists and Postmodernists Collection consists of more than 5,000 items. Included are Bowering’s personal library and the books that defined his writing life; first and early editions of works by other renowned authors, from Fred Wah to Allen Ginsberg; the artwork that hung on the walls of Bowering’s home office; and a wide assortment of memorabilia from his diverse interests, collected over decades.

These materials are a resource of immense value to scholars of Bowering’s work and Canadian literature, and modernist and postmodernist literature more broadly.

George Bowering speaking and signing copies at the launch of his new book, Barefoot Gringo.

“We are proud to display this important collection in a way that honours George’s legacy, as well as his sensibilities as an author, teacher and collector,” says Dr. Susan E. Parker, University Librarian. “Thank you to George and Jean for this wonderful gift and for their incredible advocacy on behalf of bringing this collection to the UBC community.”

A new immersive learning space

The collection was donated to UBC Library in 2022, following years of discussions with Bowering and his wife, Jean Baird. From the beginning, their vision was to create an immersive learning space to house the collection at UBC Library, which would reflect Bowering’s life and his many inspirations.

“It is very important to me that these books are all together rather than being scattered among libraries,” says Bowering. “I sincerely wish that I could sit in the room with these shelves and books and art, working to further my argument, but being comparatively mortal, I must only offer a lifetime of thanks to the librarians who have taken on such a task as to arrange a living space for my books.”

Event speakers, from left to right: Dr. Susan E. Parker, Douglas Hildebrand, Jean Baird and Linda Crosfield.

Katherine Kalsbeek, Head of RBSC, and the UBC Library Development team worked with Baird to partner with more than 30 donors to gather the funding for this project.

“From our very first conversation ten years ago, George and Jean envisioned a space where this remarkable collection could inspire future generations. It has been a privilege to help bring that vision to life with the generosity of so many donors and supporters,” says Katherine Kalsbeek, Head, Rare Books and Special Collections and University Archives.

Celebrating new beginnings

The collection was unveiled at a special event held on Thursday, June 4, at the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre on UBC’s Vancouver campus, where Bowering also launched his newest book, Barefoot Gringo (UBC Press).

The event was attended by George Bowering and Jean Baird, their colleagues, notable donors and other guests from across the UBC community. Guests were invited to tour the George Bowering Collection in the Reading Room before the formal program and reception.

View photos

View of the Bowering Collection installation in the Reading Room.