Fonds 0444 - Grande Prairie Book Club fonds

The Grande Prairie Book Club held its first meeting in September, 1939, at the home of Mrs. Tracy. Its purpose was to circulate books amongst its members. Members initially decided on meeting monthly, membership to not exceed twenty ladies and exchanging books happened every two weeks. The first executive included Mrs. Tracy, President; Mrs. Picard, Vice-President, and Mrs. Swanston, Sec.-Treasurer. The book buying committee was comprised of Mrs. Carlisle and Mrs. Fawcett and books were to be covered with plastic covers. A program committee was established to provide entertainment and education which often involved a guest speaker or a presentation. The hostess provided lunch and was assisted by several other members. Twenty books were purchased from book dealers in Edmonton each term and in 1968 membership fees of $6.00 covered the cost of twenty books. In 1972 a constitution was written ( using the minutes from previous years) which included the purpose, "...to circulate among members the books selected by a book buying committee; and to present nine programs a year for the edification, entertainment, and fellowship of the members." In the June, 1979 meeting, it was noted that attendance was dropping as a result of members' involvement with other activities and Margaret Bowes' proposal of having four dinner meetings a year instead of monthly meetings was accepted. As a result the first dinner meeting was held at the Bowes' residence, September 5, 1979, with a full membership of 21 + 2 guests and with hostesses Margaret Bowes, Margaret Simpson, June Murray, and Doreen MacDonell. In December, 1979, the club celebrated their 40th anniversary and mentioned that Rose Patterson was the only remaining charter member and fees to cover the book purchases had gone from $2.50 to $15.00. In January, 1989, new club secretary, Alice Lorenz, reminded members in writing of their duty according to their constitution to pass books on or before the dates printed on the list inside the cover of the book. This book club is still active in 2011; memberships change, new books appear every year and programs have became a smaller component, but their purpose remains constant.