Reader, Lover of Books, Lover of Heaven — exhibition catalogue, Glenn Goluska, 1978

The title Reader, Lover of Books, Lover of Heaven is drawn from William Blake’s poem Jerusalem. Its use for the North York Public Library exhibitions in 1978 and 1981 is both poetic and purposeful – evoking the spiritual and cultural reverence long associated with the book arts.

At a time when the private press movement in Ontario was flourishing quietly but powerfully, the title served to frame these exhibitions not merely as displays of craft, but as tributes to a deep and enduring relationship between reader, maker, and text. It suggests that to love books is to transcend mere utility – it is to engage in a form of devotion, where the physical book becomes a vessel for beauty, meaning, and connection.

For Glenn Goluska, who designed the catalogues for both exhibitions, the title would have resonated deeply. His own life’s work reflected a similar commitment – a blending of typographic precision with quiet reverence. The use of Blake’s line situates these exhibitions within a larger tradition: one in which the book is both artifact and aspiration, and where the act of reading is closely aligned with the craft of making.

This is an early piece from Glenn Goluska, he would go on to become one of Canada’s leading typographers and printers. Goluska was attracted to the work of small and private presses, although in time he proved to be equally inventive, and bold, with corporate design and university press publications. Throughout his life he maintained both a private press; imprimerie dromadaire and the Nightshade Press for more commercial work.

Many of the country’s pioneer designers; such as Carl Dair, Allan Fleming and Robert R. Reid, maintained their own private press. Whether it was to experiment with type, ink and paper, or for the sheer joy of creating something on their own – without having to deal with clients. The fine press tradition is being ably carried on by printers like Andrew Steeves at the Press of the Varying Hare in Black River Lake, Nova Scotia, and Jason Dewinetz at Greenboathouse Press in Vernon, British Columbia. – Rod McDonald

Artifact Text

Cover:

Reader, Lover of Books, Lover of Heaven ¶ [upper and lowercase showing of Cartier Roman]

A catalogue based on an exhibition of the book arts in Ontario compiled by David B. Kotin [fleuron] with a checklist of Ontario private presses by Marilyn Rueter and an introduction by Douglas Lochhead [two fleurons] Willowdale [fleuron] North York Public Library 1978

Excerpt from the preface:

Canadiana Collection Publication no. 1.

On March 1. 1977, the Canadiana Collection of North York Public Library opened in new quarters in the Fairview Area Branch library. To celebrate the occasion an exhibition of the work of people who practice some of the book arts in Ontario was mounted. Over one hundred items were shown, including editions from twenty-eight private presses, bindings and book restorations by seventeen hand bookbinders, and examples of the work of five hand papermakers. This publication is a result of that exhibition.

December, 1977

David B. Kotin
Head, Canadiana Collection, North York Public Library 35 Fairview Mall Drive, Willowdale, Ontario  M2J 4S4