York University Libraries
Encyclopedia
York University Libraries is the library system of York University
in Toronto
, Ontario
. The four main libraries and one archive contain more than 2,500,000 volumes.
Established in the 1960s under the direction of Thomas F. O'Connell, a former librarian at Harvard University
, the need to build large collections in a short space of time was immediate and pressing. Accordingly, O'Connell made arrangements to purchase the entire stock of two bookstores: The Starr Book Company in Boston and Librarie Ducharme in Montreal. An early decision was also made not to duplicate research strengths at the University of Toronto
and soon the Libraries owned impressive collections in American history, French Canadiana, and later sociology and psychology. Archibald Macleish
formally dedicated the Libraries on 30 October 1971.
Today, Scott Library houses collections in the humanities, social sciences, and fine arts. Separate film/music and map/GIS libraries are also located within the Scott Library. Science-related items are at the Steacie Science and Engineering Library. The Leslie Frost library at Glendon College
houses collections in all disciplines with a significant proportion of research materials in the French language. The Peter F. Bronfman Business Library serves the Schulich School of Business
and related programs, and offers many electronic resources, including the Bloomberg Terminal
, to its users. Finally, the Clara Thomas Archives contains the literary and personal papers of many notable Canadian cultural figures such as Margaret Laurence
, Rohinton Mistry
, Adele Wiseman
, bill bissett
, Wayne Ray and others.
York University Libraries is a member of the Association of Research Libraries
, the Canadian Association of Research Libraries, and the Ontario Council of University Libraries. Cynthia Archer holds the decanal appointment of University Librarian. In addition to almost 150FTE staff, approximately 40 academic librarians are responsible for faculty liaison, collection development, and research instruction across every major discipline and field taught at York.
The Osgoode Hall Law School
houses the largest law library in the Commonwealth
and works closely with York University Libraries. Although the Archives of Ontario
moved to York's Keele campus in April 2009, it is not affiliated with York University Libraries.
York University
York University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's third-largest university, Ontario's second-largest graduate school, and Canada's leading interdisciplinary university....
in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. The four main libraries and one archive contain more than 2,500,000 volumes.
Established in the 1960s under the direction of Thomas F. O'Connell, a former librarian at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, the need to build large collections in a short space of time was immediate and pressing. Accordingly, O'Connell made arrangements to purchase the entire stock of two bookstores: The Starr Book Company in Boston and Librarie Ducharme in Montreal. An early decision was also made not to duplicate research strengths at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
and soon the Libraries owned impressive collections in American history, French Canadiana, and later sociology and psychology. Archibald Macleish
Archibald MacLeish
Archibald MacLeish was an American poet, writer, and the Librarian of Congress. He is associated with the Modernist school of poetry. He received three Pulitzer Prizes for his work.-Early years:...
formally dedicated the Libraries on 30 October 1971.
Glendon College
Glendon College is one of the two campuses of York University, Canada's third-largest university, in Toronto, Ontario. A bilingual liberal arts college with 84 full-time faculty members and a student population of about 2400, Glendon is located in midtown Toronto's Lawrence Park neighbourhood...
houses collections in all disciplines with a significant proportion of research materials in the French language. The Peter F. Bronfman Business Library serves the Schulich School of Business
Schulich School of Business
The Schulich School of Business is York University's business school located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and is an internationally-ranked business school. Schulich offers undergraduate and graduate programs in business administration, finance, public administration and international business as...
and related programs, and offers many electronic resources, including the Bloomberg Terminal
Bloomberg Terminal
The Bloomberg Terminal is a computer system provided by Bloomberg L.P. that enables financial professionals to access the Bloomberg Professional service through which users can monitor and analyze real-time financial market data movements and place trades on the electronic trading platform...
, to its users. Finally, the Clara Thomas Archives contains the literary and personal papers of many notable Canadian cultural figures such as Margaret Laurence
Margaret Laurence
Jean Margaret Laurence, CC was a Canadian novelist and short story writer, one of the major figures in Canadian literature.- Early years :...
, Rohinton Mistry
Rohinton Mistry
Rohinton Mistry is an Indian-born Canadian writer in English. Residing in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, Mistry is of Indian origin, originally from Mumbai, Zoroastrian and belongs to the Parsi community. Mistry is a Neustadt International Prize for Literature laureate .-Biography:Rohinton Mistry was...
, Adele Wiseman
Adele Wiseman
Adele Wiseman was a Canadian author.Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, she received a B.A. from the University of Manitoba in 1949...
, bill bissett
Bill Bissett
bill bissett is a Canadian poet famous for his anti-conventional style. He often does not capitalise his name or use capital letters.-Life:...
, Wayne Ray and others.
York University Libraries is a member of the Association of Research Libraries
Association of Research Libraries
The Association of Research Libraries is an organization of the leading research libraries in North America. As of October 2006, it comprises 123 libraries at comprehensive, research-intensive institutions in the US and Canada that share similar missions, aspirations, and achievements...
, the Canadian Association of Research Libraries, and the Ontario Council of University Libraries. Cynthia Archer holds the decanal appointment of University Librarian. In addition to almost 150FTE staff, approximately 40 academic librarians are responsible for faculty liaison, collection development, and research instruction across every major discipline and field taught at York.
The Osgoode Hall Law School
Osgoode Hall Law School
Osgoode Hall Law School is a Canadian law school, located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and affiliated with York University. Named after the first Chief Justice of Ontario, William Osgoode, the law school was established by The Law Society of Upper Canada in 1889 and was the only accredited law...
houses the largest law library in the Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
and works closely with York University Libraries. Although the Archives of Ontario
Archives of Ontario
The Archives of Ontario is the provincial archives for the province of Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1903, the archives is located in Toronto....
moved to York's Keele campus in April 2009, it is not affiliated with York University Libraries.