About the Library:

The Appleton Central Public Library of Barnaby, Ontario (ACLB) is located in the heart of bustling downtown Barnaby. Originating in 1910, the ACLB is the central research library for a city of approximately 50,000 people, and supports a wider population base of a further 50,000. The ACLB is the main library in a system of 6 branch libraries throughout the city of Barnaby, all of which share a catalogue and collection. We have special collections in Barnaby history, though many documents of local interest are housed in the new Archival Centre of Lower Barnaby, a separate institution. We are also quite proud of our collection of Canadiana relating to life along the Rhinesgold River.

Appleton Central Public Library

About aki's Alphabet books:

What ACLB is best known for is our collection of manuscripts from local authors. Barnaby has long had a thriving artistic community, and our authors customarily donate their works to the library. The Appleton Central Public Library thus has in its Special Collections holdings six alphabet books by local artist and writer Aki Beam, created over a five-year period as she was struggling to finish her sadly overlooked doctoral dissertation (from the alphabettertthanthesis series, SKRE MNSTR Press). These books are handmade originals, and highly sought-after by researchers seeking to explore the convoluted development of Beam’s unique voice.

Aki C. L. Beam in 2000

About the Digitization:

Aki's alphabet books are highly fragile, as they were constructed using the most primitive of materials (school glue, chocolate wrappers, found paper scraps, electrical tape, Christmas sticker adhesive, etc.). Already some have experienced water damage, and others have lost their original binding. They can not sustain intensive handling by ACLB patrons. For preservation purposes, and to provide widespread access to these very valuable works, the library has digitized the collection and created this website to feature the books.

water damage to Halloween page "G"

Year of the Dragon cover: Water damaged and repaired

Some of the more heavily damaged images have been digitally repaired, and most of the images were brightened, using Adobe Photoshop. Please contact the library if you would like a copy of the original image. Copies of the uncompressed scans in .tif format (150 dpi, average 1-2 Mb) are also available for research purposes. There will be a charge of $5.00 per image. Publication rights carry an additional charge, to be negotiated according to intended use.