2025 annual report
Welcome to the Libraries'
This year marked not only the conclusion of our five‑year strategic plan but also a renewed commitment to purposeful, forward‑looking action. Guided by a clear vision and informed by the needs of our community, we continued to evolve our services, steward knowledge and strengthen the foundation required for long‑term success, providing effective services in a context of limited resourcing. In 2025, we advanced initiatives that position the Libraries to better support the University’s strategic vision, Waterloo at 100, from reimagining how we deliver expertise, to engaging critically with evolving artificial intelligence technology, to deepening our commitments to reconciliation. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. We invite you to explore this report to see how your engagement helps shape the future of learning, research and discovery. Beth Namachchivaya, University Librarian
Read more about the Libraries >
Empowering learning and research
Notable news
Libraries at the heart of Waterloo’s future: building a 15-year strategic space plan
Teaching GenAI in the classroom: creating tools for student success
Libraries honour Indigenous knowledge and relationships
Curated collections
Advancing learning and research
Special Collections & Archives
Faces of the Libraries
Philanthropy at work
Publications and presentations
Key statistics
Expanded access at Musagetes Architecture Library
The Libraries, the Faculty of Engineering and the School of Architecture have partnered to enhance access to the Musagetes Architecture Library for students, faculty and staff at the school. This initiative introduces self-checkout options, allowing users to borrow materials and benefit from quiet, safe study spaces outside library service hours. During the spring term library staff prepared the collection by applying an RFID tag to every item in the Library. In October, a self-checkout machine and return bin were delivered. The final phase of the project involves installing new doors to facilitate student card tap access. Once complete, students will be able to access the library for study and research during evenings and weekends, even when library staff are not on site.
Waterloo researchers save $4.68 million in open access fees
In October, the Libraries marked Open Access Week by highlighting the significant financial savings for Waterloo researchers through publisher agreements. These agreements combine the access to paywalled journal articles the Libraries regularly provides with coverage or discounts on open access article processing charges (APCs). All members of the University are eligible for APC coverage under these agreements, including faculty, post-doctoral researchers, graduate and undergraduate students, and staff. Since 2021, the Libraries have established 15 such agreements, offering full APC coverage for nearly 5800 journals. Thanks to these agreements, Waterloo researchers across faculties have saved a total of $4.68 million CAD in APC costs, enabling open access publication of 970 papers.
42,746
items RFID tagged
Tech Sandbox opened at Dana Porter Library
The Tech Sandbox, a new centrally located, hands-on space for technological exploration, opened at Dana Porter Library in the fall. The inaugural program, EdTech Sandbox, is a collaboration between the Libraries, the Office of the Associate Vice-President, Academic and Instructional Technology and Media Services. Staff, instructors and students can explore and experiment with educational technologies, such as virtual reality headsets, 3D scanners and a 360-degree camera. This three-year pilot program is designed to foster innovation in teaching and learning by leveraging shared resources and expertise within a flexible, active-learning environment. This exciting new space and partnership lays the foundation for future-forward strategies in education.
Looking ahead Library staff in collaboration with the EdTech supervisor are working to develop a programming plan to expand offerings in the Sandbox and further integrate educational technologies into library instruction.
The two-year Open Researcher and Contributor Identifiers (ORCID) pilot, launched in 2024 by the Libraries, Office of Research and Graduate Studies and Post-doctoral Affairs, is concluding. ORCID’s are unique identifiers for researchers to create a verified record of their work and education. Its affiliation tool lets institutions add information to a researcher’s profile, saving time and improving the ability to track research impact. The pilot focused on PhD students and post-doctoral researchers, exploring campus-wide use of the affiliation tool to streamline research workflows. As the project wraps up, 60% of PhD and post-doctoral researchers have registered and linked their ORCID accounts with the University. While the pilot is ending, interest continues to grow. Several faculties have requested implementation support, and national funding agencies such as NSERC and SSHRC now include ORCID in their platforms, signaling broader adoption ahead.
Campus-wide ORCID pilot project concludes
approximately
classes taught by librarians in the fall term
50+
University libraries are unique spaces: open to all, regardless of discipline or affiliation. They empower learning, research and teaching, making them deeply integrated into a university’s strategy and programs. As global challenges demand interdisciplinary solutions, libraries are ideally positioned to connect people and knowledge, supporting the scholars and innovators of the future.
Planning for Waterloo at 100 As the University of Waterloo looks ahead to its 100th anniversary in 2057, the Libraries recognized the need for a holistic, purposeful space plan that not only reflects but advances Waterloo’s vision, a place where educators and scholars can co-create, advance and refine ideas. Former provost James Rush championed this forward-thinking approach, commissioning a 15-year strategic space plan for the Libraries. A campus-wide steering committee was formed to guide the process and ensure alignment with Waterloo’s broader goals. Consultations began in 2024, including student feedback sessions, over 5,000 survey responses, and presentations to leadership, staff, faculty and student representatives. From this input, guiding principles emerged: the Libraries are a welcoming, inclusive place for all; an intellectual centre for experiential learning; and a “common good” space reflecting Waterloo’s values.
Designing the future In 2025, these principles shaped a request for proposals to select an architectural firm to create the 15-year space plan. “It was critical to bring on board experts who understand the post-secondary environment as well as the changing landscape of the modern academic research library,” says Jude Doble, associate university librarian. Perkins&Will was chosen for their deep experience with academic libraries and eagerness to articulate a vision for the Libraries that matches Waterloo’s entrepreneurial, innovative spirit. Throughout the fall, Perkins&Will engaged the campus community through open houses, pop-up events and focus groups, gathering insights on what future library spaces should offer. They have translated this feedback into a comprehensive plan, being presented for approval in early 2026.
“It was critical to bring on board experts who understand the post-secondary environment as well as the changing landscape of the modern academic research library,” Jude Doble, Associate University Librarian
The plan includes actionable steps for several short to mid-term projects that will directly benefit students and foster collaboration with on-campus partners. Two priorities have already emerged: creating a safe, late-night study space and developing technology-rich areas for experiential learning. With support from the University and generous donors, this strategy will lay a path for the future, ensuring the Libraries remain vibrant, inclusive and essential to student success and research excellence.
Perkins&Will engage with students
Immediate impact
In 2025, the Libraries continued their active involvement in the Standing Committee on New Technologies, Pedagogies and Academic Integrity (NTPAI). Led by the Office of the Associate Vice-President, Academic, this committee brought together units across campus to ensure a collaborative approach to integrating generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) into teaching, learning and research. As information experts, librarians play an active role, partnering with faculty and staff to develop resources, training and research support.
Developing a student resource Ahead of the academic year, faculty expressed a need for a resource to help students understand responsible GenAI use. The committee, including liaison librarian Kate Mercer, proposed a self-directed online learning module introducing GenAI, including ethical use, citation, attribution and privacy. Building on a module created by Michelle Ogrodnik, a professor in the Faculty of Health, the committee worked together to identify gaps and adjustments needed to create a generic module over summer 2025. “GenAI has brought many challenges, but it’s also highlighted how much we can achieve when campus partners collaborate. Creating this resource has reinforced just how much talent and expertise we have at Waterloo, and how vital that is as we help the University navigate current and future challenges,” shares committee member Daniel Opperwall, online learning consultant, Centre for Extended Learning. The module is now available to everyone for self-registration on the University’s LEARN platform.
Assessing impact While the module’s launch marked a collaborative success, its impact on student learning had not yet been tested. Ogrodnik, Opperwall and Mercer received a Learning, Innovation and Teaching Enhancement Grant to assess the effectiveness of the module in introducing students to core concepts surrounding GenAI. Both Ogrodnik and Mercer teach required first-year communication courses, in the Faculty of Health and Faculty of Engineering, respectively. By integrating the module into their courses, they can assess impact on a large cohort of students. In fall 2025, both classes completed surveys prior to taking the module to collect baseline data on frequency with which students use GenAI tools and their understanding of the function and impact of using the tools. After completing the module, students once again filled out a survey to gauge changes in GenAI awareness.
Next steps Analysis of the survey data will be completed in 2026, including comparisons between Health and Engineering students, reflecting the project’s interdisciplinary approach. Findings and recommendations will be shared across campus, supporting university-wide efforts to promote responsible use of GenAI in academic settings. This collaborative approach is essential for integrating GenAI into higher education. As Mercer explains: “In a world where Generative AI can produce overwhelming amounts of plausible-sounding content, librarians’ expertise is crucial to helping students navigate information in academic and professional contexts. Building skills to distinguish reliable sources from persuasive noise ensures the knowledge we build on is not just easy, but good.”
Celebrating Indigenous art In June, for National Indigenous History Month, the Libraries unveiled a mural in the Dana Porter Library lobby by Tehatsistahawi (Tsista) Kennedy, an Anishinaabe Onyota’a:aka artist from Beausoleil First Nation and Oneida Nation of the Thames. His mural weaves together elements from the natural world and the Creation Story. Floral motifs connect familial generations, symbolizing its importance in the continuation of our culture and wellbeing of our communities; a turtle symbolizes the land’s central role in culture; and animals like deer, moose and bears represent our food systems and traditional teachings. This mural joins other Indigenous artworks at Dana Porter and the Davis Centre Library, including a piece by Kevin at the Davis Centre Library. “Installing Indigenous art enhances the beauty of our spaces and celebrates representation from several Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabeg nations,” says university librarian Beth Namachchivaya, “It signifies that Indigenous people are appreciated, respected and celebrated in the Libraries.”
Affirming treaty responsibilities During Treaties Recognition Week in November, Libraries staff and Indigenous campus community members gathered at Dana Porter Library to reflect on the Libraries’ responsibility for stewarding knowledge and affirmed its commitments to honouring Indigenous laws, teachings and relationships. The ceremony focused on the Dish With One Spoon and Two Row Wampum agreements, symbols of enduring diplomatic relationships between Indigenous Nations, and between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Teachings were shared by Jay Havens, a two-spirit multimedia artist, professor in the Faculty of Arts, and Mohawk, Bear Clan citizen from Six Nations of the Grand River, and Myeengun Henry, Knowledge Keeper in the Faculty of Health and member and former Chief of Deshkan Ziibiing (Chippewas of the Thames First Nation). Following the teachings, library leadership were invited to affirm their commitment. Namachchivaya responded, “On behalf of the University of Waterloo Libraries, I am honoured to accept the responsibility of stewarding these teachings. We commit to walking alongside Indigenous communities, to supporting Indigenous initiatives and to ensuring knowledge is shared with care, respect and reciprocity.” The wampum belts will be cared for according to Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe ceremonial protocols and displayed in Dana Porter Library as long as the commitments to their teachings are upheld, with agreement revisited and reaffirmed annually.
Libraries have long been places of shared learning; communal spaces where knowledge is gathered, cared for and passed forward. As stewards of knowledge, they also shape how relationships to land, history and community are understood.
The Libraries continue to work toward decolonization by fostering inclusive spaces, building relationships, expanding Indigenous-led programming, improving access to Indigenous scholarship, and amplifying Indigenous voices and ways of knowing. Kevin George, Sturgeon Clan from Kettle and Stony Point First Nation and associate director, Indigenous initiatives in the Libraries, continued to guide this collective work over the past year.
Wampum belt commitment ceremony
Original teachers by Kevin George
Mural unveiling in Dana Porter
Indigenous resources The Libraries are focused on expanding our collection to amplify Indigenous voices. Over the past year we have added titles that explore topics becoming more widely known, such as residential schools and murdered and missing Indigenous people, through Indigenous perspectives, feelings and spirits. Recognizing there is a growing number of mature students with young people in their lives, the Libraries have also added Indigenous children’s and teen books. These resources offer opportunities for families to begin conversations and learn together. Sharing these materials with the broader community is essential when such titles may not be readily available elsewhere in the region. Building community relationships and pathways is crucial to doing indigenization work respectfully and meaningfully.
Find more titles in the Indigenous peoples in Canada reading list in Omni, the Libraries catalogue.
full APC coverage for
journals since 2021
5,800
Historical regional maps Eva Dodsworth, geospatial librarian, noted use of Libraries’ print map collection has grown over the last year, especially among planning and geography students. To improve access, the Geospatial Centre has been actively scanning and digitizing historical maps in our collections for online sharing. The collection includes topographic, land use, street and road maps, selected based on copyright (older than 50 years) and geographic relevance, with a focus on the Region of Waterloo. Since September 2023, 1,800 maps have been digitized with many of them added to the online collection, making these valuable resources more accessible to students, researchers and the broader community.
ACM open As a member of the Canadian Research Knowledge Network (CKRN), the Libraries are part of a new agreement with the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), allowing researchers to publish in ACM journals without paying article processing charges (APCs) under a new ACM Open model. As the publishing industry moves towards open access models, ACM is shifting from a pay-to-read model to a pay-to-publish one. To avoid individual APCs, the Libraries now pay an academic rate based on historical publishing activity. This ensures uninterrupted access to ACM publications during the transition while supporting open access publishing without added financial burden to Waterloo authors. Making research more openly accessibly fosters collaboration, accelerates impact and benefits everyone.
maps digitized since September 2023
1,800
Advancing learning and resarch
24/7 support for library users In the spring term, the Libraries piloted a new rules-based chatbot called LibBot. Available on every page of the Libraries’ website to respond to users anytime and anywhere, LibBot serves as a first point of contact. Drawing on a rich archive of past patron-staff interactions, library staff developed a series of rules to guide the chatbot in identifying user’s information-seeking needs. The platform is integrated with key library tools, enabling LibBot to link directly to resources, search an FAQ database and offer options to connect with library staff.
User testing has been completed, and improvements will be implemented in 2026 to increase LibBot’s effectiveness in responding to users’ needs.
sessions initiated within the first two weeks of launch
167
LibBot usage stats within the first two weeks of launching
Category prompt:
Accounts and borrowing Research supports Learning supports and resources Study spaces and technical equipment Search our FAQs Library accessibility services
52 43 33 22 18 13
From Idea to Impact: a workshop series that goes beyond entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship is central to Waterloo’s identity, even if it’s not explicitly taught in every program. Entrepreneurship librarian Rachel Figueiredo saw how the research skills she teaches could benefit all students, inspiring her to create a three-part online workshop series in Fall 2025. Titled From Idea to Impact, the series explores entrepreneurial concepts and practical research skills without labelling it as entrepreneurship to make it more approachable to students who don’t see themselves as entrepreneurs. Topics range from company research, helpful for co-op interview preparation, to a systems-thinking approach to understanding a problem, helpful for capstone projects. Each session featured relevant library-subscribed tools in addition to openly available tools that students can use beyond graduation. Attendees came from across faculties, and viewership grew after recordings were shared allowing people to continue to learn after the sessions were over. Figueiredo plans to offer the series again and is developing additional workshops under the entrepreneurship theme.
attendees across all three workshops
91
Mentorship in action: supporting undergraduate research in health Jackie Stapleton, liaison librarian for the Faculty of Health, has long mentored students in knowledge synthesis projects. In spring 2025, she supported Ecaterina Rosu, recipient of the Hallman Undergraduate Research Fellowship, in completing a scoping review with the goal of publication and aiding future thesis work. Rosu’s project explored distrust in healthcare in post-communist countries, inspired by personal experiences, and guided by Dr. Samantha Meyer, whose own research focuses on trust in health services. Recognizing the complexity of knowledge synthesis, Meyer connected Rosu with Stapleton for technical guidance. Stapleton provided one-on-one mentorship throughout the process, helping Rosu build skills and confidence. Rosu also found support from other students mentored by Stapleton. “I see my role as an educator,” says Stapleton, “teaching research methodologies and foundational skills students carry forward in their own research.” The success of this approach is evident in the ripple effect of students supporting one another across Waterloo’s campus and beyond.
Rachel
Jackie
Samantha
Ecaterina
“I see my role as an educator,” says Stapleton, “teaching research methodologies and foundational skills students carry forward in their own research.” Jackie Stapleton, Liaison Librarian for the Faculty of Health
Connecting global scholars to primary resources Receiving a request from professors at other institutions is a regular part of Jessie Blackwell’s role as librarian in Special Collections & Archives (SCA). While the Libraries’ archival collection is curated to support Waterloo’s learning and research priorities, its unique primary sources often attract interest from researchers around the world. One such request came from Trevor Getz, a professor of African and world history at San Francisco State University. He was collaborating with Stanford’s Open Virtual Assistant Lab (OVAL) to develop a large language model (LLM) aimed at improving access to African newspapers for researchers and scholars. Getz was particularly interested in newspapers from the Ghana region dating from the late 19th century to early 20th century. As Blackwell learned more about the project, she identified 13 relevant newspapers in Waterloo’s microfilm collection, including several lesser-known titles that Getz hadn’t previously encountered. The microfilms were sent to a digitization company to produce high-quality digital files, which were then integrated into the “History Genie” LLM Getz was working on. Unlike traditional optical character recognition tools that transcribe text from images, History Genie reconstructs text from digital materials to enable advanced search capabilities. Instead of a simple key word search, researchers can ask specific questions, and the model interprets the content to deliver targeted answers, regardless of where information appears in the document. “These new tools we are building allow advanced quantitative and qualitative methods for insights into these sources. This is proof of concept, showing that groups of scholars and libraries can use AI to create our own archives-from-below from rare and hidden records,” says Getz of this project. Instead of travelling to Waterloo, and spending hours scrolling through microfilm in the lower level of Dana Porter Library, these papers are now openly available to researchers worldwide, including Getz’s colleagues in Ghana who had never had access to these materials prior to this project. “There can be a reticence to use microfilm, especially for those unfamiliar with it, and it requires a lot of scrolling,” says Blackwell, “Thanks to this collaboration, these primary resources are now easily accessible to far more people than would have otherwise been possible.” History Genie is now linked from the Libraries’ databases research guide and Blackwell has shared this new resource with Black Studies faculty at Waterloo, hoping it will spark renewed interest in these materials closer to home as well.
Tremaine Map of Upper Canada On display in the Doris Lewis Reading Room at Dana Porter Library, the Tremaine Map of Upper Canada is a newly accessible primary resource available for researchers. Donated by Jon Dellandrea in 2009, the map underwent extensive restoration, completed by art conservator Jennifer Robertson, before framing and installation in SCA. Measuring roughly four by five feet across eight panels, the map was created by surveyor George Tremaine in 1862 and features local businesses and homes, offering rich insights into 19th-century architecture. Providing a glimpse into the past, maps such as these are helpful in urban planning and local history.
University of Waterloo archival photographs Captured in Time: A postcard series from the Archives is a unique collection of postcards offering a glimpse into campus life from decades past. From vintage architecture to snapshots of student life, each postcard connects the present with the past, preserving pieces of UWaterloo history. Archivist Nicole Marcogliese selected several archival photographs of Waterloo’s main campus, preserved in the University’s institutional archives through the Graphic Services fonds, along with images from the Kitchener-Waterloo Record Photographic Negative collection, for a new partnership with the W Store.
postcards can be purchased through the W Store
Michael Clark, Accessibility Specialist The core mission of any library is to provide access to information. To make that happen for as many people as possible, accessibility services within libraries are critical. In late 2024, Michael Clark became the Libraries’ accessibility specialist, becoming the primary contact for library accessibility supports for students, staff and faculty at Waterloo. When the University’s Employee Disability Community Network sought help launching a book club in 2025, Clark stepped in. The Network, which supports those on campus who work with or have lived experiences with disabilities, needed help identifying suitable materials focused on disability accommodation, inclusion and challenges in the post-secondary environment. Clark curated a list of resources, including books, chapters and articles available through the Libraries’ collection, as well as videos and podcasts from other sources. This curated list now serves as a foundation for a growing resource hub supporting the Network and other Disability Affinity groups across campus. It’s just one example of how Clark’s role helps the Waterloo community access the resources they need to reach their goals.
Nirmal Prasad, Reporting and Assessment Analyst In an era of constricted budgets and seemingly infinite content, libraries must prioritize resources that best serve their users. At the University of Waterloo, Nirmal Prasad plays a key role in making that happen. Libraries generate vast amounts of data, from usage statistics to researcher publishing trends. Prasad consolidates this information and transforms it into clear analysis and visuals that support strategic decision making by the collections development team and liaison librarians. Over the past year, Prasad has been instrumental in a collections review focused on understanding user needs around electronic journals and publisher access. He’s also contributing to a space optimization project by identifying print materials that are duplicates of electronic material, ensuring more efficient use of library space. By aligning the libraries’ collections with the University’s research and learning priorities, Prasad contributes to building a collection that directly supports institutional success.
Alys Zhao, User Experience Coordinator The Libraries are at the heart of the Waterloo campus; a welcoming space for all, both in person and online. To ensure our services, spaces and website continue to meet users’ needs, we regularly seek their feedback. In her role as part of the user experience team, Alys Zhao collaborates with library staff to better understand how people interact with the Libraries, helping us make meaningful improvements. This past year, Zhao began preliminary research for a website redesign project. She conducted targeted focus groups and card-sorting sessions to better understand users’ needs. More broadly, visitors to the libraries were invited to participate in a sticker-voting activity to tell us what they wanted on the Libraries’ homepage. Involving users in shaping library services not only improves their experience but also empowers them to navigate the libraries, and the vast information landscape, with confidence during their time on campus and beyond.
Partnering for Progress: enhancing accessibility at the Libraries Thanks to the support of the Ross and Doris Dixon Charitable Foundation, the Libraries have expanded and upgraded accessible hardware and software across Dana Porter, Davis Centre and Musagetes Architecture Libraries. Students can now borrow tools like noise-cancelling headphones and personal amplification devices from Library Help Desks at all locations. The Adaptive Technology Centre at Dana Porter also received updated software, including Fusion and ZoomText for screen reading and magnification, and new STEM-friendly tools like EquatIO, which supports accessible interaction with digital STEM content. “We’re proud to support students in achieving their goals,” says Steve Brown, Dixon Foundation President, “We hope that our help in providing tools and resources through the Accessible Technology Centre will remove some of the difficulties that students may have in using technology in their course work.” Together, we’re advancing equitable access and empowering students with the resources they need to succeed.
Four instructors awarded 2025-26 Staebler Insurance OER Fellows Grants The Libraries awarded four $5,000 grants to support the creation or adaptation of open educational resources (OER) for Waterloo courses. OER improve access to education by offering free, high-quality learning materials. Projects will be completed by May 1, 2026. These grants are made possible by a generous donation from Staebler Insurance. Interactive Learning for Mergers & Acquisitions: Dr. Seda Oz (Accounting and Finance) is developing an interactive application simulating real-world financial scenarios. Professional Ethics in Planning: Dr. Jennifer Dean (Planning) is creating a case study text focused on ethics in Canadian planning, a professional competency required to become a Registered Professional Planner. Introduction to Health Data Science Ebook: Dr. Abel Torres Espin (Public Health Sciences) is writing an accessible ebook for health students new to data science. Advanced Algorithm Design Textbook: Dr. Sepehr Assadi (Computer Science) is developing a comprehensive textbook and OER materials to support learning advanced algorithm design.
Supporting preservation and access: new scanning technology at SCA Thanks to generous donor support, the Libraries’ Special Collections & Archives (SCA) have acquired two new scanners to reduce the physical handling of irreplaceable and unique holdings, while expanding meaningful access to students, researchers and community members. Scanning is a core part of archival work, supporting online access to SCA’s distinctive collections. The new large format scanner allows for the safe digitization of fragile items that can’t be processed using a standard flatbed scanner. It also enables the scanning of oversized materials, such as architectural plans or maps. Additionally, a new public scanning kiosk has been installed in the Doris Lewis Reading Room, replacing a 2011 model. This updated kiosk provides researchers with access to a machine that produces digital files that meet today’s technical standards.
Make an impact A gift to the Libraries is a gift in support of all students and the dynamic research happening across campus. We offer numerous giving options, along with recognition opportunities such as named spaces and collections. To explore how you can make an impact, contact: Meghan Whitfield Director, External Relations University of Waterloo Libraries mwhitfield@uwaterloo.ca
Steve Brown visits the Adaptive Technology Centre in Dana Porter Library
2024-25 grant recipients, donors and library staff
Publications Ball R, Mercer K, Carter C, McConnell BM, Parker S, Sterling E. (2025). Knowledge Synthesis in Engineering: A practical guide to contextualizing different review methodologies. Science & Technology Libraries, 1–15. DOI:10.1080/0194262X.2025.2512475 https://doi.org/10.1080/0194262X.2025.2512475 Brown SE, Weaver KD (2024). Drama Queens: Applying dramaturgy as an inclusive pedagogy within the one shot. Reference Services Review, 52(1), 39–49. DOI: 10.1108/RSR-03-2023-0027 https://doi.org/10.1108/RSR-03-2023-0027 Colucci A, Weaver KD, Voichita S. (2025). Empowering Open: Building and sustaining an OER library repository. In Yang L, Salaz A (Eds), Digital Libraries Across Continents (Chapter 7). Routledge. Hitchens A, Namachchivaya BS, Eber A et al. (2025). Building an Inter-Institutional and Cross-Functional Research Data Management Community: From strategy to implementation. University of Waterloo, UWSpace (Waterloo, Ontario). https://hdl.handle.net/10012/21683 Hong I, Bigam KD, McConnell BM, Özelsel TJP, Sondekoppam RV. (2025). Sevoflurane and its Metabolic Byproduct Compound A Induce Nephrotoxicity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies. Medical Gas Research, 15(2), 254-265. DOI: 10.4103/mgr.MEDGASRES-D-24-00080 https://doi.org/10.4103/mgr.MEDGASRES-D-24-00080 Masucci L, Lewis D, Carter C, et al. (2025). The Use of Real-World Evidence Among Healthcare Payers: A scoping review. International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, 41(1), e67. DOI:10.1017/S0266462325100445 https://doi.org/10.1017/S0266462325100445 Maximos M, Pelletier R, Elsayed S, Maxwell CJ, Houle SKD, McConnell BM, Gamble JM. (2025). Unpacking Oral Challenge Protocols: A descriptive epidemiologic study of reactions, predictors and practices for delabeling low-risk penicillin allergies leveraging data from a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hospital Pharmacy, 60(5), 423-431. DOI:10.1177/00185787251337626 https://doi.org/10.1177/00185787251337626
Maximos M, Pelletier R, Elsayed S, Maxwell CJ, Houle SKD, McConnell BM, Gamble JM. (2025). A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Interventions to Delabel Low-Risk Penicillin Allergies with Consideration for Sex and Gender. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 91(3):684-697. DOI:10.1111/bcp.16366 https://doi.org/10.1111/bcp.16366 Mercer K, Weaver K D, Mehlenbacher AR, Virdi M. (2025). Do We Trust Ourselves? Is the human the weak link? IFLA Journal, 51(3), 570-587. DOI:10.1177/03400352251315845 https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352251315845 Palmer M, Bredahl L, Weaver K. (2025). An Environmental Scan of Bibliometrics and Research Impact Open Instructional Trends at Canadian Academic Research Libraries. Canadian Journal of Academic Librarianship, 11, 1–29. DOI:10.33137/cjal-rcbu.v11.42153 https://doi.org/10.33137/cjal-rcbu.v11.42153 Sharma R, Sharma T, Carter C, et al. (2025) Medication Use by Older Adults with Frailty: A scoping review. Pharmacy (Basel, Switzerland), 13(6), 170. DOI:10.3390/pharmacy13060170 https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy13060170 Sharow A, Champigny J, Carter C, et al. (2025). The Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Ambulatory Care Warfarin Management By Non-Physician Providers Versus Usual Medical Care: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Pharmacy Practice. 0(0). DOI:10.1177/08971900251347506 https://doi.org/10.1177/08971900251347506 Tennant R, Howcroft J, Mercer K. (2025). Enhancing Experiential Engineering Education: Student and stakeholder perceptions of the biomedical stakeholder café for human-centered capstone design. Biomedical Engineering Education. DOI:10.1007/s43683-025-00204-7 https://doi.org/10.1007/s43683-025-00204-7
Presentations Carmini P, Cefrin I. (2025, May 5 - 8). Beyond Journal Publishing: Adapting OJS for Internal Grant Applications [Presentation]. Library Publishing Forum, Virtual. https://youtu.be/3k08wgQuGjQ Carmini P. (2025, August 22). Navigating Environmental Mismatch as a Neurodiverse Academic Librarian [Presentation]. NeuroGLAM Conference, Virtual. https://www.youtube.com/@NeuroGLAMConference Carter C, Fallis S. (2025, June 17 – 20). Translating evidence into action: improving minor ailment consultations through literature review training. [Oral presentation]. Canadian Pharmacy Education and Research Conference, Niagara Falls, Ontario. Carter C, Fallis S, Nakhla N. (2025, June 17 – 20). Beyond the prescription: strengthening pharmacy students’ literature review abilities and academic success [Poster presentation]. Canadian Pharmacy Education and Research Conference, Niagara Falls, Ontario. Carter C. (2025, June 3 – 6). Dispensing research skills: enhancing PharmD students’ evidence-based practice. [Poster presentation]. Canadian Health Libraries Association Conference, Vancouver, British Columbia. Cooper A, Zientarska-Kayko A, Manuel K, Steeleworthy M, Fry J, (2025, June 18 - 20). North of 49: Continuing data journey. [Presentation]. ICPSR Biennial Meeting, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Cunningham H, Kalia S, Pecoskie C, Rogowski M, Yu SH. (2025, January 29 – February 1). Green Libraries: Climate Action beyond the Building [Panel discussion]. OLA Super Conference, Toronto, Ontario. Doble, J. (2025, September 28 - 30). Strategic Master Space Planning: A Roadmap for the Future. [Panel discussion]. Designing Libraries, Rochester, New York. Eber A, Abel J, Steeleworthy M. (2025, May 26 – 28). Building an Inter-Institutional and Cross-Functional Research Data Management Community: From Strategy to Implementation. [Conference session]. DRI Connect, Montreal, Quebec. Hirst, J. (2025, November 12 – 23). Sharing Your Story: Benchmarking Library Expenditures Using Power BI Visuals. [Conference session]. Southeastern Library Assessment Conference, Virtual.
Howcroft J, Mercer K, Rose S. (2025, June 22-25). Biomedical Stakeholder Café: Continual improvement & integration of a novel adapted RADAR framework for stakeholders. [Presentation]. American Society of Engineering Education Annual Conference, Montreal, Quebec. Howcroft J, Mercer K, Vale J, Wilson-Ihejirika DJ, Mattucci S. (2025, June 22-25). Change | Makers: What can come next in engineering design? [Paper presentation]. American Society of Engineering Education Annual Conference, Montreal, Quebec. Howcroft J, Vale J, Kirkscey R, Mercer K. (2025, June 17-21). Empathy in Engineering Students: Initial assessment of student perceived ability. [Paper presentation]. Canadian Engineering Education Association Annual Conference, Montreal, Quebec. Howcroft J, Mercer K, Mutch S. (2025, June 22-25). From Essential to Ridiculous: Exploring instructor perceptions of empathy-focused instruction [Paper presentation]. American Society of Engineering Education Annual Conference, Montreal, Quebec. Lim A, Harding T. (2025, August 12-14). Leveraging a Library Chatbot to Support Teaching and Learning at a Large Academic Institution Using an Interdisciplinary and Collaborative Approach. [Conference session]. Digital Pedagogy Institute, Virtual. Stapleton J, Inglis F, MacDonald H, et al. (2025, June 9 – 12). How Can We Create a Supportive Space for Undergraduate Students Involved in Evidence Synthesis? [Panel discussion]. Workshop for Instruction on Library Use Annual Conference, Hamilton, Ontario. Stapleton J, Zientarska-Kayko A. (2025, January 29 – February 1). Engaging Environmental Science Researchers in Systematic Review Method: A library workshop evaluation and communications assessment. [Poster presentation]. OLA Super Conference, Toronto, Ontario. Co-authored with Tanya Snyder. Whitson J, Clark MR. (2025, June 10 – 12). Kind for All Minds: An academic library’s approach to knowledge management for all neurominds. [Conference session]. Atlantic Provinces Library Association, Virtual.
Resource Usage The Libraries provide access to information in a variety of formats to advance the creation, discovery and use of knowledge.
46,821
Physical resources loaned
3,006,831
Electronic resources accessed
261,846
Course reserves accessed
2,833,608
Library website pageviews
Teaching & Learning Librarians support learners and researchers by equipping them with the knowledge to navigate an increasingly complex information landscape.
656,137
Digital learning material accessed (created by library staff)
577
Number of workshops
18,349
Workshop participants
New workshops offered this year: From Idea to Impact series GIS Speed Run series
Research Support As a partner in learning and research, library staff connected directly with users to provide support and expertise to help them in reaching their goals.
10,522
Questions answered
5,676
Online
4,846
In-person
Financials
$25,105,301
Total Expenditure
50%
Collections
Operations
