Jean Kerfoot BA portrait. Credit Torontonensis 1938.

b. Nov. 26, 1916, Picton, ON; d. Nov. 18, 2005, Toronto, ON

1938 BA (Victoria College, University of Toronto)
1947 BLS (McGill University)

1939-1973 Ontario Legislative Library
1963-1973 Chief Librarian, Ontario Legislative Library

Allen, Jean Kerfoot (1977). “The history of libraries in Ontario.” In Lorraine and Carl Garry, eds. Canadian libraries in their changing environment. Toronto: York University, Centre for Continuing Education: 47-77.

Allen, Jean Rodgers Kerfoot (1998). Family of Annie Rodgers and Horace Watson Kerfoot. [s.l.: s.n.].

Canadian Library Association
Ex Libris Association

Jean “was the first to have a professional library science degree” at the Ontario Legislative Library. “Her tenure saw improvements to the law collections – critical for legislatures – and many other advances.”

Under her tenure, the Legislative Library also made a contribution to the education of new librarians. “Students of the Faculty of Library Science at the University of Toronto benefited from staff members’ knowledge of government documents and special libraries through work periods in the Library and class lectures. The sharing of information was also extended to practising members of the profession.”

When Jean retired in 1973 “she received tributes in the House from Government Services Minister James W. Snow, Opposition Leader, Robert F. Nixon, and NDP Member Donald C. MacDonald.” Nixon stated, “In the 10 years that I have been a member of the Legislature, the library has changed quite dramatically in many respects, and I think the changes and the improvements are associated very directly with Miss Kerfoot’s initiative.” Snow described the Library as an “excellent reference establishment” and a “vital and invaluable resource to all of us in our day-to-day work.”

A Credit to this province : a history of the Ontario Legislative Library and its predecessors, 1792-1992 (researched and written by Fiona M. Watson ; edited by Elizabeth Hulse). Toronto: Ontario Legislative Library,1993.
Obituary, Globe and Mail, May 2, 2006.
Obituary, ELAN, issue 39, spring 2006:19.