Curated by: University Archives and Special Collections
Location: Ground Floor and UASC Reading Room, Third Floor, Murray Library
"The Alcuin Society is a voluntary association of people who care about the past, present and future of fine books. Founded in 1965 by Geoff Spencer and six other Vancouver bibliophiles . . . it is the only non-profit organization in Canada dedicated to the entire range of interests related to books and reading. These interests include authorship, publishing, book design and production, bookselling, book buying and collecting, printing, binding, papermaking, calligraphy and illustration." - From the Alcuin Society's website
Annually, this society of book lovers bestows upon Canada's best-made and best-designed books the Alcuin Society Awards for Excellence in Book Design in Canada. Awards are given in a number of categories including: children’s literature, limited editions, poetry, prose: fiction, prose: non-fiction, prose: non-fiction – illustrated, pictorial and reference. Books are selected based on the appropriateness of their design in rela
tion to their contents and to their intended audiences. Choice of color, form, layout, and construction are also taken into consideration when choosing winners.
The University of Saskatchewan Archives and Special Collections is very excited to have the opportunity to be showcasing some of this year's Alcuin Award winning books, both on the ground floor of the Murray Library, and in our display area on the Third Floor (Room 301). A range of eye-catching books are available for viewing selected from all categories, and including first, second, and third place winners, as well as some honorable mentions. Each book is accompanied by a detailed description, as well as the reasons for its selection.
The University Library has collected the Alcuin Society’s award winning titles since 2006, and copies of winning titles are held in Special Collections. See the complete listing in the Catalogue under the series title: Alcuin Society Award for Excellence in Book Design in Canada.