Canadian Children’s Book Centre Regional Collection

What is the CCBC Regional Collection?  

Hamilton Public Library’s Local History and Archives (LHA) houses a collection of 18,000 children’s books published between 1976 and 2024 and written by authors such as Robert Munsch, Gordon Korman, David Robertson and Kathy Stinson. 

Where did this collection come from? 

The Canadian Children’s Book Centre donated part of its vast collection to Hamilton Public Library in February 2020. The rest of its collection is dispersed across the country at the Education Library at the University of British Columbia, the Rutherford Library at the University of Alberta, the Elizabeth Dafoe Library at the University of Manitoba, the Mount Saint Vincent University Library in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and eventually the Toronto Metropolitan University Library. Other regional collections may include published works after 2024. 

What is the purpose of the CCBC Regional Collection? 

The purpose of the collection is to preserve Canada’s literary history and provide the public with access to this vast collection of published works. This collection is ideal for studying the history of children’s publishing in Canada or exploring a large selection of Canadian children’s books. 

Where will the collection be on display? 

A small selection of this collection is on display in LHA on the 3rd Floor of Central Library.  

How can members access the collection? 

• Members must visit LHA on the 3rd Floor at Central Library to request specific title(s). Titles are added weekly to this extensive catalogue. 

• LHA Staff will locate the item(s) during regular business hours. It may take time due to the thousands of items in the collection. 

• Accessing CCBC material is subject to LHA Reading Room Rules of Use. Members must show their identification (library card or other valid ID). These are non-circulating material(s) and must stay in the Reading Room. The Reading Room is a quiet study area. Food is not permitted and water must be in a sealed container. 

• When finished, Members should return the CCBC item(s) to Staff at the LHA Information Desk.  

How can a Member tell if an item is part of the CCBC collection? 

It is listed in the catalogue as Canadian Children's Book Centre and In-Library Use Only. 

Can CCBC materials be checked out? 

No. CCBC materials can only be used in the Reading Room of LHA. (see above). Members who want to check out a title can ask Staff for help locating a circulating copy.  

Additional Information 

• Regional Collections – The Canadian Children's Book Centre 

• CCBC Library Collections Find New Homes | HPL