A small college cannot hope to have a large library, but if it sets
to work along the right lines it may aspire to the possession of a fine one…
A book may be a thing of beauty, and an example of a great craft which
we must not allow to die. The means of craft and the aspiration toward
beauty live on in our College library.
— Robertson Davies, the Founding Master
Collections
Since its inception in 1963, the Library at Massey College has developed special collections in the History of the Book as well as supporting a working nineteenth-century hand printing shop.
The holdings of books and manuscripts include material on the history of
printing, papermaking, bookbinding, palaeography, calligraphy, type design,
book collecting, and bibliography. The examples of book production range from
the fifteenth century to the present, with a particular strength in nineteenth
century colour printing and publishers' bookbindings represented in the Ruari
McLean Collection. The collections also include the papers of Canadian graphic
designer Carl Dair. In 1981, the Library was named for
the Founding Master
of the College, Robertson Davies, and contains editions
and translations of his writings.
The Massey College Press was launched in 1963 with the acquisition of an
1870 New Improved Albion Press, an iron hand press that had belonged to
Carl Dair. There are four other iron hand presses — an Albion, a
Columbian, an Imperial, and a Washington — as well as examples of
platen presses and proofing presses. In addition, the Press has an extensive
collection of metal and wood type and ornaments. It is used for teaching
purposes to provide students with an understanding of printing technology
and book production.
General Information
The Robertson Davies Library, Massey College, is located in Toronto at 4 Devonshire Place, one block east of St George and one block south of Bloor Street.
The Library's resources are available to all scholars and persons with a genuine research need, whether or not they are members of the College or University community. Many of the holdings can be accessed through the web site of the University of Toronto Library. All material is non-circulating, but limited photoduplication is possible.
Hours
The Library is open to researchers from 9:00 to 12:30 and 1:30 to 5:00, Monday to Friday. It is closed on statutory and University holidays. It is advisable to call and make an appointment before coming to the Library.
Mailing Address
Robertson Davies Library
Massey College
4 Devonshire Place
Toronto, Ontario M5S 2E1
Canada
Phone: 416-978-2893
Fax: 416-978-1759