The importance of knowledge and education to the Manitoba Wheat Pool is made clear in the The Scoop Shovel, the official organ of the Manitoba Wheat Pool and other co-operatives in Manitoba. Established in the 1920s, The Scoop Shovel owed its existence to a decision by the directors of the Pool to set aside small percentage of income per bushel for educational purposes. R.A. Hoey began to hold meetings to discuss the idea that the Pool was about more than just marketing grain, and in 1926 a Department of Education and Publicity was organized within the Pool. It was directed by J.T. Hull and advised by R.A. Hoey; they expanded and supervised The Scoop Shovel.
They also began to accumulate the educational volumes that would become the Pool library. Hull announced in November of 1926 that the library would be open by the end of the month and reported that: "We have a good representation of works on sociology... On co-operation we have about every book that we can find published in the English language. We have also a good selection of books on economics, history, science, general literature, and rural life. In a word, we have tried to make the library one of usefulness to people whose life is on the land."
He also encouraged Pool members--who were the only ones allowed to use the library at this time--to utilize the library to educate themselves, saying “Use it, for knowledge is power”.
Once the library was open to all Pool members, Hull wrote a regular column for The Scoop Shovel called “In the Library”, in which he would review books and recommend reading in response to frequent questions from members. When the library gained new books, which was almost continually, he would list them and sometimes discuss them.
The library service was a mailing one; the main collection was kept at the Manitoba Wheat Pool central office in Winnipeg and members could request a catalogue of all the library holdings. If they wanted to borrow a book or books on a specific topic, they could write to Hull and the books would be mailed out to the member and returned by mail, all postage costs covered by the Pool Library.
During the crisis of the early 1930s, the library was saved because the Manitoba Co-operative Conference believed it was vital to the success of the Pools and the co-operative movement. The Conference took over administration of the Pool library in 1931, leasing the books and equipment from the Wheat Pool. The library was formally incorporated under a charter after it changed hands, the other charters members being the Co-operative Marketing Board and the United Farmers of Manitoba.
In 1935 the service was made available free of charge to all rural Manitobans with the financial support of the Co-op Marketing Board. By 1939, Manitoba Pool Elevators had begun to prosper again, and took back responsibility for the administration and housing of the library. The traveling library was also established around this time, and hundreds of boxes were distributed to all MPE points. The boxes were rotated and refreshed twice a year.
In 1942 Hull estimated that there were approximately 4,700 books in the Pool Library with an annual circulation of 4,000 to 5,000 books. Operating the library cost around two thousand dollars per year, although the cost was split between the members of the Manitoba Co-operative Conference, at least it was in theory. The Pool library ran as a free service to all rural Manitobans, regardless of whether they were members of the Pool, and the federal government census in 1941 indicates that over half of Manitoba’s population (56%) still lived in rural areas. In 1948, the majority of the Pool Library’s services were rendered unnecessary by an act called the “Public Libraries Act” that had been passed by the Manitoba legislature on April 22, 1948, and would go into effect July 1, 1948. The act provided for the establishing of a provincial “Public Library Advisory Board” that would be appointed by the government. Once the board had been established, the act allowed for the establishment of municipal and regional libraries that would be the administrative responsibility of the municipality or region they served and would be supported by a land tax levied on the population that would have access to the library. All employees of the central provincial library would be considered civil servants.
When the Provincial Library was being established in 1949, the Minister in charge of education--Ivan Shultz--actively sought both the advice of those who operated the Pool Library and the physical resources of the Library. In a letter to W.J. Parker, the President of Manitoba Pool Elevators, Shultz wrote that: "We find that in looking at the province as a whole that the box library service of the Manitoba Pool Elevators is the best developed and the best distributed within the province... We would feel that to a considerable extent you had pioneered in this field and we would be using your accomplishments as a springboard for a wider coverage of the province and an enlargement of the service."
He also requested that Miss E.L. Shields—the Pool Librarian--be released from Pool employment so that the Provincial Library could hire her for a year to aid in setting up the new library system.
An agreement was reached between MPE and the Provincial Library, and the bulk of the Pool Library was transferred to the province. The Pool retained the volumes it wished to keep as reference for its employees, and donated the rest of the open shelf library to the province. The traveling library service was sold at a discount to the province, with the caveat that service not be interrupted during the transfer and that the quality of service to rural Manitoba not diminish once the Library had been entirely transferred to the government. In a letter to Ivan Shultz after the agreement to sell the traveling library had been reached, W.J. Parker wrote that: "...Manitoba Pool Elevators has maintained an open shelf library for a period of some twenty years. These books have been made available to anyone in Manitoba, outside the City of Winnipeg, and the postage both ways was paid by the Pool. We feel it has served a very useful purpose, but that it is not primarily our function and if the government proposes to offer a more complete and universal service we are prepared to retire from the field and avoid what might be considered unnecessary duplication."
Scope and Content
Series contains items once held as part of the Manitoba Pool Library. It has been divided into the following four sub-series: (1) MPE E 1 Manitoba Pool Library publications; (2) MPE E 2 The Scoop Shovel; (3) MPE E 3 The Manitoba Cooperator; and (4) MPE E 4 Pamphlet collection.
This box contains minutes generated by local MPE associations, collected by the central office. Records include the following:
79a. Cromer 1978-1980
79b. Cromer 1977-1978
80a. Dauphin 1977-1978
80b. Dunrea 1977-1980
81a. Gladstone March 1 1979 – Nov 24 1980
81b. Gladstone Feb 2 1977 – Jan 17 1979
82. Edwin Jan 10 1977 – March 3 1981
83a. Isabella Feb 4 1977 – August 28 1980
83b. Lauder April 20 1979 – Nov 13 1980
84. Lyleton Dec 13 1977 – Nov 24 1978
85a. Jordan April 2 1979 – Dec 11 1980
85b. Jordan Jan 31 1977 – Feb 26 1979
86. Moore Park Jan 4 1977 – April 11 1979
87a. Napinka Jan 17 1977 – Nov 14 1980
87b. Nesbitt Feb 8 1979 – Nov 27 1980
87c. Nesbitt Jan 6 1977 – Dec 18 1978
87d. Ninga Feb 16 1977 – July 28 1980
88a. Pierson Dec 20 1978 – Nov 26 1980
88b. Pierson Jan 20 1977 – Dec 20 1978
89a. Souris Jan 10 1975 – Nov 30 1976
89b. Sperling May 8 1978 – Dec 10 1980
89c. Sperling March 21 1977 – Jan 31 1979
90. Tilston June 9 1977 – Nov 16 1978
91. Waskada Jan 10 1977 – Dec 12 1980
92. Bradwardine Feb 11 1981 – Nov 16 1981
93. Cromer Jan 13 1981 – Nov 27 1981
94a. Dunrea Sept 23 1985 – Nov 27 1989
94b. Dunrea March 24 1981 – Feb 14 1985
95a. Beresford July 31 1986 – Nov 14 1986
95b. Beresford Jan 13 1981 – April 3 1986
96a. Gladstone Nov 19 1986 – Nov 28 1989
96b. Gladstone Nov 3 1983 – Oct 11 1986
96c. Gladstone Jan 23 1981 – Jan 4 1984
This box contains minutes generated by local MPE associations, collected by the central office. Records include the following:
97. Isabella Jan 28 1981 – July 21 1981
98a. Jordan Oct 23 1984 – Oct 6 1989
98b. Jordan Nov 8 1982 – Oct 3 1984
98c. Jordan Jan 15 1981 – Sept 27 1982
99. Lauder April 21 1981 – March 28 1983
100. Napinka Jan 12 1981 – Oct 28 1985
101. Nesbitt Jan 5 1981 – Nov 24 1982
102a. Pierson Sept 21 1987 – Dec 20 1989
102b. Pierson Sept 21 1983 – April 16 1987
102c. Pierson Jan 9 1981 – June 23 1983
103a. Sperling Jan 8 1987 – Nov 20 1989
103b. Sperling Dec 8 1983 – Jan 8 1987
103c. Sperling Feb 4 1981 – Dec 8 1983
104a. Waskada Sept 12 1984 – Nov 29 1989
104b. Waskada Jan 5 1981 – July 24 1984
105. Dominion City Oct 28 1987 – July 30 1990
106. Fannystelle March 5 1987 – Feb 19 1990
107. Minto Feb 17 1987 – Feb 27 1989
108. Poplar Point Jan 22 1987 – Jan 9 1991
109. Rathwell Feb 5 1987 – March 6 1990
110. Riverton August 5 1983 – Oct 29 1990
111. Silverton Nov 10 1987 – Jan 1990
112a. Brunkild Feb 5 1992 – Nov 29 1993
112b. Brunkild Jan 8 1990 – Jan 8 1992
113a. Brunkild Oct 6 1986 – Dec 11 1989
113b. Brunkild May 18 1984 – Sept 2 1986
113c. Brunkild Jan 5 1981 – Feb 6 1984
114a. Brunkild Dec 4 1978 – Dec 8 1980
114b. Brunkild Jan 4 1977 – Nov 29 1978
114c. Brunkild Jan 6 1975 – Dec 5 1976
This box contains minutes generated by local MPE associations, collected by the central office. Records include the following:
115a. Brunkild Nov 28 1972 – Dec 2 1974
115b. Brunkild Oct 29 1970 – Nov 8 1972
115c. Brunkild Nov 14 1968 – Nov 9 1970
116a. Beresford Feb 19 1992 – May 13 1998
116b. Beresford August 17 1992 – Dec 14 1991
117. Dunrea Jan 12 1990 – May 31 1993
118a. Jordan Feb 11 1994 – May 27 1996
118b. Jordan Nov 21 1989 – Nov 25 1993
This box contains minutes generated by local MPE associations, collected by the central office. Records include the following:
119a. Sperling April 24 1995 – July 17 1997
119b. Sperling April 13 1994 – March 31 1995
119c. Sperling Jan 16 1992 – March 21 1994
119d. Sperling Jan 15 1990 – Dec 17 1991
120. Gladstone April 5 1990 – May 31 1993
121. Waskada March 12 1990 – May 26 1993
122. Pierson Feb 15 1990 – March 23 1993
123. Durban Oct 29 1993 – Nov 19 1995
124. Erikson Oct 29 1993 – Dec 15 1994
125. McAuley Nov 18 1993 – Nov 2 1995
126. Morris Dec 1 1993 – Nov 14 1995
See fonds level description of RG 4 for history/bio of MPE
Scope and Content
This sub-series consists of summaries of elevator operations. The records include the following:
Box 1:
Summary of Operations 1925-1968 Alexander-Gretna
Summary of Operations 1925-1968 Hamiota-Morris
Summary of Operations 1925-1968 Napinka-Woodnorth
Box 2:
Association Financial and Debt Repayment Summary 1925-1963
Association Financial and Debt Repayment Summary 1925-1963
Box 3:
Summary of Operations 1964-1968
Summary of Operations 1964-1968
Summary of Operations 1964-1968
Box 4:
Summary of Operations A-K 1925-1996
Summary of Operations L-Z 1925-1996
Elevator Points Closed A-L 1926-1987
Elevator Points Closed M-Z 1926-1987
This box contains minutes generated by local MPE associations, collected by the central office. Records include the following:
63. Hargrave 1968-72; 1975-76
64. Isabella 1968-1976
65a. Jordan 1972-1976
65b. Jordan 1968-1972
66a. Lauder 1972-1976
66b. Lauder 1968-1972
67a. Lyleton 1972-1976
67b. Lyleton 1968-1972
68a. Moore Park 1974-1976
68b. Moore Park 1971-1974
68c. Moore Park 1968-1971
69a. Napinka 1972-1976
69b. Napinka 1968-1972
70. Nesbitt 1973-1976
71. Ninga 1973-1976
72. Pierson 1973-1976
73. Sperling 1973-1976
74. Tilston 1973-1976
75. Waskada 1973-1976
76a. Alexander Jan 24 1977 – June 1978
76b. Beresford April 4 1977 – Nov 27 1980
76c. Bradwardine Feb 21 1977 – Nov 18 1980
77. Beulah 1977 – 1980
78a. Cardale 1978-1980
78b. Cardale 1977-1978
This box contains minutes generated by local MPE associations, collected by the central office. Records include the following:
127. SD #405 (Alexander, Beresford, Souris) June 27 1996 - July 12 1999
128. SD #404 (Hartney, Elgin/Fairfax) April 19 1996 - July 2 1999
129. SD #403 (Waskada, Deloraine, Goodlands/Medora) Dec 14 1995 - August 17 1999
130. SD #402 (Melita, Pierson) Nov 23 1995 - Oct 12 1999
131. SD #401 (Erikson, Cromer, Sinclair)
132. SD #503 (Elkhorn, Virden, Kirkella, McAuley) Dec 1 1995 - June 28 1999
133. SD #504 (Oakner, Quadra) July 31 1997 - April 14 1999
134. SD #301 (Killarney, Ninga, Dunrea, Boissevain) August 14 1996 - August 9 1999
135. SD and Local Miscellaneous
A copy of a Local Associations (later the Local Pool Committees) would be sent to the Central Office, where it was stored until a microfilm copy could be made. Records were only transferred to microfilm until 1957.
Custodial History
Local Association records recieved by the Central Office dating from 1925 to 1957 are on microfilm. Records subsequent to 1957 are hardcopies.
Scope and Content
Sub-series MPE B.3 consists of Local Association records from the formation of the association until 1993 or said association's closure. See Box level entries for B.3 for detailed contents of records.
Notes
Description by Jillian Sutherland (2009). Records contained in Series B.3 on microfilm or in hardcopy may also be contained in Series A.
This box contains bound volumes of audited financial statements for local MPE associations. The records include the following:
Local Assoctiation Financial Statements 1925-26; 1926-27; 1927-28; 1928-29 A-H; 1928-29 I-W; 1929-30 A-H; 1929-30 I-W; 1930-31 A-H; 1930-31 I-W; 1931-32 A-Ed; 1931-32 El-Md
This box contains bound volumes of audited financial statements for local MPE associations. The records include the following:
Local Association Financial Statements 1931-32 McA-Wo; 1932-33 A-Ed; 1932-33 El-Md; 1932-33 McA-Wo; 1933-34 A-Ed; 1933-34 El-Md; 1933-34 McA-Wo; 1934-35 A-Ed; 1934-35 El-Ma; 1934-35 McA-Wo
This box contains bound volumes of audited financial statements for local MPE associations. The records include the following:
Local Association Financial Statements 1935-36 A-Ed; 1935-36 El-Ma; 1935-36 McA-Wo; 1936-37 A-Ed; 1936-37 El-Ma; 1936-37 McA-Wo; 1937-38 A-Elm; 1937-38 Elp-McC; 1937-38 McT-Woo
This box contains bound volumes of audited financial statements for local MPE associations. The records include the following:
Local Association Financial Statements 1938-39 A-Elm; 1938-39 Elp-McC; 1938-39 McT-Wo; 1939-40 A-Elm; 1939-40 Elp-McC; 1939-40 McT-Woo; 1940-41 A-Ewa; 1940-41 Fai-McC; 1940-41 McT-Woo
This box contains bound volumes of audited financial statements for local MPE associations. The records include the following:
Local Association Financial Statements 1941-42 A-Ewa; 1941-42 Fai-McC; 1941-42 McT-Woo; 1942-43 A-Ewa; 1942-43 Fai-McC; 1942-43 McT-Woo; 1943-44 A-Ewa; 1943-44 Fai-McC; 1943-44 McT-Woo
This box contains bound volumes of audited financial statements for local MPE associations. The records include the following:
Local Association Financial Statements 1944-45 A-Ewa; 1944-45 Fai-McC; 1944-45 McT-Woo; 1945-46 A-Fan; 1945-46 For-Men; 1945-46 Men-Woo; 1946-47 A-Fan; 1946-47 For-Men; 1946-47 Men-Woo
This box contains bound volumes of audited financial statements for local MPE associations. The records include the following:
Local Association Financial Statements 1947-48 A-Fan; 1947-48 For-Men; 1947-48 Men-Woo; 1948-49 A-Fan; 1948-49 For-Men; 1948-49 Men-Woo; 1949-50 A-Fan
