This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Library purge of 1948 sparked city controversy in Medicine Hat
The Medicine Hat Library purge led to petition campaigns to recall the library board and reinstate head librarian Harry Burbidge. Mayor Rae faced resignation and a no confidence vote as critics claimed censorship while officials argued old and worn titles were removed. Books were later returned or redistributed, ending the furor. This piece is part of a series marking MHPL's 100th anniversary.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Medicine Hat
Harry Burbidge
W.M
Mac) Rae
Library Board
Burbidge
Alexander Calhoun
Calgary
Alberta Library Board
Calhoun
R.W. Harrison
Property Owners Association
Rae
Tennyson
Longfellow
Kipling
Dickens
Council
the News
MHPL