The John Barley Library is a resource centre that contains books, periodicals, CDs and DVDs for children, teens and adults looking for resource material, support and inspiration.
Contact: Lynn Morrison – lynn.morrison@rogers.com
What is the John Barley Library?
Rev. John Barley was appointed the first Minster of Christian Education at Islington United Church. The John Barley Library is a welcoming area for all ages to read, research and browse our growing collection. It is also an excellent resource for aids to teach children about the life of Jesus, the Bible and our Christian beliefs. The Library Committee is responsible for selecting, cataloging and presenting our collection and encouraging its use by our congregation.
Search our Catalogue
Thanks to ResourceMate, you can now browse the contents of our amazing and ever growing library. You may check out what’s new on the homepage or search for books by keyword, title, author or subject. If you find a book that you are interested in please visit our library to sign it out.
Access the online catalogue by clicking the search button, below.
OPEN DAILY
The library is open seven days a week from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. Monday to Thursday and from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Friday to Sunday. The library cart is accessible outside the Pastoral Care Office on weekdays and in the Stewart East Hall on Sundays.
The library's namesake
In 1956 the Rev. John Barley was appointed the first Minster of Christian Education at Islington. During that year, enrolment in the Church School reached a peak at 1,281 children and 147 staff. Rev. Barley accomplished much in Teacher Training Programs and using experimental teaching methods.
The matter of securing additional space was always on his mind. At various times, part of the Church School had to be housed in the Islington Public School on Cordova Avenue, and in the Islington Seniors’ Center on Dundas Street.
A great supporter
In 1960 Rev. Barley was chosen by the United Church Board of Sunday School Publications to prepare the new curriculum for the Junior Department. It was a great shock to the congregation, then, when Rev. Barley suddenly died in October 1961.
Rev. Stewart East, Senior Minister at Islington United since 1947, wrote of his memorial service: “We were more than a company of people who came to honour a respected and valued minister. Rather we were a company of individuals who came with a deep sense of personal loss and were joined by others from far and near – from Syracuse, from Sarnia – those to whom the Rev. John Barley had become a real and personal friend.”
A great supporter, the library was named in his honour following his death.
