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Feature - Deakin Collection

This article was originally published in 2004 on the Okanagan University College Library website.

For Andrea's news and reviews of children's books, read the Deakin Newsletter published on the OC Library website.

The Deakin Collection
Dr. Andrea DeakinAt the OUC Spring Convocation May 29, 2004, Andrea Deakin received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the arts, humanities, and social sciences in this region and Canada. Dr. Andrea Deakin, a Salmon Arm resident, retired teacher, and reviewer and critic of children's books since 1971, has been instrumental in the development, recognition, and promotion of children's literature and literacy in Canada.

Over the past fourteen years Andrea has become one of Okanagan University College's major benefactors through her generous donation of award-winning children's literature to the OUC Library in Salmon Arm. Four years ago Andrea began purchasing and dedicating titles in memory of her late husband, Dr. Barry Deakin, a staunch supporter of Andrea's work, and a promoter of children's literature in his own right. The Deakin Collection now holds over 3,500 titles and is still growing, as Andrea continues to add new and classic titles to this exemplary collection of children's literature.

Although held in the Salmon Arm Campus Library, Andrea is strongly committed to promoting the use of this expansive collection institution-wide, to all levels of readers from community Family Literacy groups to Early Childhood Education, ESL, Children's Literature, Education, Fine Arts and as well, to institutional partners elsewhere. Andrea and the OUC Library are working together to insure this collection reaches far and wide within the OUC community and beyond.
Deakin Collection
The Honorary Doctorate of Letters is not the first time Andrea has received recognition for her contributions to the development of children's literature in Canada. In May 2002, Andrea received the Keith Sacre Library Champion Award at the British Columbia Library Association's annual conference. This coveted award is presented annually to an individual or organization with a record of support for libraries, literacy and public access to information.
Why Andrea Donates This Collection
         -- In Her Own Words
"Books were more than toys"
[Dr. Barry Deakin] had seen me use books to effect with children, believed they trained the mind, opened the imagination, taught us about the past and let us see and judge more clearly, and non-fiction opened a world of possibility. In this we saw completely eye to eye. In the early years we lived carefully so that I could stay home from "work" and work on this - it was our gift to our children, and all other children touched by this. That is why I chose this kind of memorial to this intelligent, thoughtful and loving man.
~Andrea Deakin, February 14th 2002
Quick Facts About Andrea Deakin
Deakin Collection   Some of Andrea's favourite books as a child were:
  • Wind in the Willows
  • Winnie the Pooh series
  • White Fang
  • Little Women
  • Robin Hood
  • King Arthur



She has reviewed books for:
  • Richmond Review
  • Vancouver Sun
  • London Free Press
  • CHQM FM
  • CBC (Prince Rupert)
  • Local papers in Terrace, Kitimat, Shuswap, Langley, Chilliwack, Surrey and many more...
   Deakin Collection



Salmon Arm Library Staff and Andrea Deakin

Andrea Deakin receives honorary doctorate from OUC
Andrea receives her honorary doctorate