Table of Contents
Olga Bernice Bishop
b. June 24, 1911, Dover, NB; d. Jan.11, 2002, London, ON
Education:
Secretarial certificate (Mount Allison Academy)
1938 BA (Mount Allison University)
1946 BPA (Carelton University)
1951 MA in History (Mount Allison University)
1952 AMLS (University of Michigan)
1962 Ph.D. in Philosophy and Library Science (University of Michigan)
Positions:
1932–1940 Secretary to the University Librarian, F.W.W. Des Barres, Mount Allison University Library
1940–1946 Senior Administrative Officer, Royal Canadian Air Force Record of Service, Canadian Civil Service, Ottawa
1946–1949 Associate Librarian, Mount Allison University Library
1949–1953 University Librarian, Mount Allison University Library
1953–1954 General Librarian, University of Western Ontario
1954–1965 Medical Librarian, University of Western Ontario
1953–1960 Lecturer, School of Library Science, University of Toronto
1965– 1970 Associate Professor, School of Library Science, University of Toronto
1970–1977 Professor, School of Library Science, University of Toronto
1977–2002 Professor Emerita, Faculty of Library and Information Science, University of Toronto
Publications:
Bishop, Olga Bernice. Thomas Chandler Haliburton: A Bibliography of the Biographical Writings About the “Father of American Humour.” Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan Dept. of Library Science, 1951.
Bishop, Olga Bernice. Publications of the Governments Of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, 1758–1952. Ottawa: National Library of Canada, 1957.
Bishop, Olga Bernice. Publications of the Government of the Province of Canada, 1841–1867. [Ann Arbor, Mich.], 1962.
Bishop, Olga B., ed. Handbook. Toronto: Canadian Association of Library Schools, 1962.
Bishop, Olga B. Canadian Association of Special Libraries and Information Services: Handbook. Ottawa: Canadian Library Association, 1970.
Bishop, Olga B. The Use of Professional Staff in Libraries; A Review, 1923–1971. Ottawa: Canadian Library Association, 1973.
Bishop, Olga Bernice. Publications of the Government of Ontario, 1867–1900. Toronto: Ministry of Government Services, 1976.
Bishop, Olga B. Bibliography of Ontario History, 1867–1976: Cultural, Economic, Political, Social. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1980.
Bishop, Olga B. Canadian Official Publications. Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1981.
Bishop, Olga B. and Gerald Prodrick, eds. Handbook = Manuel. Rev. ed. Toronto: Canadian Association of Library Schools, 1982.
Bishop, Olga Bernice. Publications of the Province of Upper Canada and of Great Britain relating to Upper Canada, 1791–1840. Toronto: Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Culture, 1984.
Bishop, Olga B., ed. The North Talbot Road, Westminster Township: One Hundred Years Of Yesterday's News, Today's History. Lambeth, Ont.: Crinklaw Press, 1986.
Bishop, Olga B., ed. Glanworth, Westminster Township: One Hundred Years of Yesterday's News, Today's History. Selected and compiled by Raymond K. Crinklaw, illustrated by George P. Rickard. Lambeth, Ont.: Crinklaw Press,1987.
Bishop, Olga B., ed. Westminster Township, South-East of The Thames: One Hundred Years Of Yesterday's News, Today's History. Selected and compiled by Raymond K. Crinklaw, illustrated by George P. Rickard. Lambeth, Ont.: Crinklaw Press, 1988.
Associations/Committees:
Canadian Library Association
Canadian Association of College and University Libraries
Canadian Association of Special Libraries and Information Services
Ontario Library Association
Ontario Association of College and University Libraries
Maritime Library Association
Special Libraries Association
Institute of Professional Librarians of Ontario
Bibliographical Society of Canada
Canadian Association of Library Schools
Canadian Association of University Teachers
University of Toronto Faculty Association
Ontario Historical Society
Association for Canadian Studies
Beta Phi Mu
Honours/Accomplishments:
1927–1928 Awarded Highest Average Scholarship, Mount Allison Ladies' College
1928 Awarded Birks Gold Medal for Outstanding Academic Achievement from Mount Allison University
1971 Awarded honourary LLD by Mount Allison University
1981 Received The Marie Tremaine Medal in Canadian Bibliography
1981 Received Award for Special Librarianship in Canada, Canadian Association of Special Libraries and Information Services
1985 Received Alumni Recognition Award for International Leadership in the Library Profession from School of Library and Information Science, University of Michigan
1993 Plaque from the Metropolitan United Church members for volunteer work in the Library, Archives and United Church Women
Olga B. Bishop Award established by the Canadian Library Association Access to Government Information Interest Group (discontinued in 2012)
Comments:
Dr. Bishop was the first Canadian woman to receive a graduate and postgraduate degrees in library science.
She was also the first woman in librarianship to receive a Doctor of Laws honourary degree while still practicing the profession.
According to her obituary, Dr. Bishop was “a pioneer for women in the pursuit of higher education and professional acceptance.”
Sources:
Dr. Olga B. Bishop: Obituary and Death Notice on In Memoriam. Accessed February 14, 2013.
Holmes, Gillian, ed. “Bishop, Olga, B.A., B.Pub.Admin., M.A., A.M.L.S., Ph.D., LL.D.” In Who's Who of Canadian Women. 88–89. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1999.
Mount Allison University Library. “Olga Bishop, 1949–1953.” [accessed June 2023].
ELA biography compiled by Agatha Barc