Thanks to the generous support and dedication of our contributors and champions, the George Bowering Collection and Reading Room in Rare Books and Special Collections (RBSC) at UBC Library has become a reality! Project planning and construction is set to begin in the coming weeks, and the space is expected to be completed and open by late 2025.
As one of Canada’s most broadly influential writers, George Bowering is a two-time winner of the Governor General’s Award, a short-listed finalist for the Griffin Prize for Poetry, BC Book Prize, Stephen Leacock Award for Humour, and the BC National Non-Fiction Prize, and he is the author of more than 100 books and chapbooks. In 2002, he was named as Canada’s inaugural Parliamentary Poet Laureate and an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Located on UBC Vancouver campus in the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre (IKBLC), the George Bowering Reading Room will offer an immersive experience for readers, writers, undergraduate and graduate students, and academic researchers by providing a unique opportunity to explore the depth of Canadian and international literature through George’s legacy. It will be a remarkable space for learning, discovery and inspiration for years to come. George has described the Bowering Collections as his personal library, including all of the books that “defined [his] writing life (not counting journalistic and baseball pursuits).” Students and researchers will be surrounded by the inspiring works of many writers and artists, as George was in his days at UBC.
“We hope that that being surrounded by the authors that influenced George, and those who were inspired by him in turn, will provide a rich and inspirational learning space for students at UBC and a point of connection to the Canadian Literature community for years to come,” says Katherine Kalsbeek, Head of Rare Books and Special Collections.
Thank you to everyone who championed this project! While we’ve reached our initial goal, continued support will help us enhance the George Bowering Reading Room further and provide support for the library’s many ongoing initiatives. Consider making a donation to UBC Library today. If you are interested in supporting ongoing initiatives in enhancing UBC’s rare books and special collections, please contact Elaine Fung, Senior Director of Development, UBC Library, (elaine.fung@ubc.ca).