Local Stories Live on in BPL’s Archives
As Burlington grows and changes, so does its story—and Burlington Public Library is proud to help preserve it. We’re excited to share new additions to the Burlington History Room archives, along with newly launched collections now available in the Burlington Digital Archive.
Common Archival Terms
Ever wondered how we organize historical records? Archivists use two main categories: fonds and collections. A fonds is a group of records from the same person or organization, while a collection brings together related materials from different sources, like a theme or format.
To help navigate these records, we use something called a finding aid—basically, a table of contents for what’s inside a box of historical records.
Our New Additions
From treasured photos to community stories, these archival collections offer a closer look at Burlington's past.
Joan Lougheed Fonds
In 2024, former City and Regional Councillor Joan Lougheed donated records to BPL from her fifteen-year political career spanning 1991 to 2006. She worked full-time as a registered nurse before venturing into a career in public service.
About her collection, she shared: “Being passionate about the challenges and work as well as the people I met, who were part of significant change and growth in Burlington and Ward 2, it was important to me to keep a record and memorabilia of these treasured times.”
You can view the physical records in the Burlington History Room at Central Branch by appointment or browse a curated selection of the Joan Lougheed fonds in the Burlington Digital Archive. More records are also available through Museums of Burlington.
Online Finding Aid for Joan Lougheed Fonds, Fonds F013
City of Burlington Councillor Joan Lougheed, 1991-2006. Joan Lougheed fonds
Burlington Gymnastics Club Photographs Collection
The Burlington Gymnastics Club (BGC), which started in 1968 as an after-school sports program, is now the oldest and largest gymnastics club in our community.
In 2022, BGC made a generous donation of nearly 200 photographs to the Burlington Digital Archive, capturing almost four decades of team photos from 1977 to 2016. Former members and fans of local history will enjoy this nostalgic cartwheel down memory lane!
Online Finding Aid for BGC Photographs Collection, Collection F012
Burlington International Games Fonds
From 1969 to 2010, young athletes from Burlington, Ontario, Vermont, and Iowa came together each summer for the Burlington International Games (B.I.G.)—an initiative built on friendship, community, and cross-border connection. The Games were held every year, alternating between the three Burlington cities.
The Burlington International Games fonds includes event programmes, planning documents, photographs, scrapbooks, and more. You can explore highlights in the digital archive, with additional material available in the Burlington History Room.
Online Finding Aid for B.I.G. Fonds, Fonds F021
Burlington Public Library Fonds
Are you looking forward to the opening of the new New Appleby Branch? Take a look back at the history of the branch in new additions to the Burlington Public Library fonds. This collection includes digitized material about the Library, including photographs, annual reports, and more.
And speaking of our newest location, have you ever wondered why it’s called New Appleby Branch? It’s not because it was once new! BPL’s Skyway Branch first opened in 1965 in east Burlington’s Skyway Plaza. Then in 1971, the branch moved to Appleby Mall, near the corner of New Street and Appleby Line, and became New Appleby Branch.
Online Finding Aid for BPL History Fonds, Fonds F020
New Appleby Branch interior, no date. Burlington Public Library fonds
Contribute to the Archive
Many items in our local history collection have come to us through the generosity of donors. If you’d like to learn more about BPL's local history collection or how you can make a donation, please don't hesitate to contact our Local History & Digital Archive Coordinator, Kaitlin Sonneveld. You can read more about how we accept and care for donations in our Local History Collection Policy.
