Saint-Jorre, Cecile

Born in Outremont of a literary family, Miss Saint-Jorre received her early education at boarding school in Saint-Jean d'lberville. This was followed by studies at the Pedagogical Institute in Montreal and attendance at the Library School of the University of Montreal. Here she obtained a Diploma of Librarianship in 1939. Although already perfectly bilingual Miss Saint-Jorre added a diploma in Spanish from the Linguistic Institute of Canada. As a member of the Historical Society of Montreal she continued to broaden her knowledge of cultural issues. After completing her studies she obtained a position with the Municipal Library of Montreal. Gradually she rose through increasing positions of responsibility culminating as head of the Department from 1952 until her retirement in 1971. Along with her duties with the Municipal Library Miss Saint-Jorre was a member of many professional library associations including the Quebec Library Association- (QLABQ) -of which she was three times president. Her intelligence, wit and literary skills made her a valuable contributor to many publications and an excellent representative to library conventions. Throughout her career she actively championed the liaison between French-speaking and English-speaking library associations and was involved in the drafting of Bill 35 which became the Quebec Law of Public Libraries in 1959 which gave professional status and recognition to libraries and librarians.