Whither Academic Libraries?
Selected slides focusing on the role of faculty
liaison librarians in the library of the future
Carole Moore, Chief Librarian
March 2011
Print and e-book use at UTL
Trends and questions for the future
What formats will readers prefer? Print,
electronic?
Where will people get information? Bookstores,
online, in libraries?
How will people read ebooks? On their
computers, ebook readers, cell phones?
What will people choose and why?
Faculty liaisions play crucial role in determining
the future – listening to our community,
addressing needs
“Two weeks ago I sat in Robarts editing my fourth novel. Twenty years ago, I
sat in this very same spot labouring over essays. I’m drawn to Robarts for the
incomparable sensation of being alone yet surrounded by people similarly
challenged and engaged – seeking answers to questions that matter.”
Camilla Gibb,
BA 1991
Author of the
novel Sweetness
in the Belly
Winner of the
Trillium Award
Shortlisted for the
Giller Prize
Faculty liaison role
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Communicate what we offer
In person, through the Web
Listen to current interests and challenges of
scholars and teachers
Opportunities:
Copyright – hot topic
Data management assistance
New tools for research
Promotion of faculty research – open access
What we offer today

32 Library service sites (9 central, 23 divisional)
- reference, information literacy programs
- internet access, public computers, wireless
- study spaces – individuals and groups
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Collections
- 11 million volumes in 126 languages
- 5 million microforms
- 800,000 e-Books; 71,000 e-Journals
- maps, data, special archives, multi-media…
Goals
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Strengthen outstanding collections
Improve access to scholarly resources
Foster use of new information technology in teaching
and research
Enable students to use information resources
effectively
Revitalize Library space
Renew and support staff
Delivering current priorities

Strengthen outstanding collections
- Collaboration in acquisitions –
Tri-campus, Canadian, International
- Preservation partnerships Downsview support – Dalhousie
Delivering current priorities
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Improve access to resources
- Scholars Portal – eBooks, GeoPortal
- Digital scanning of 250K research vols
- Mobile interfaces
- Robarts stack maintenance – 5M vols
- Self service return system
Delivering current priorities

Foster use of new information technology
in teaching and research
- Course material available in Blackboard
- Support faculty innovation
Delivering current priorities

Enable students to use information
resources effectively
- Support curriculum-based information
literacy
- Expand faculty liaison and outreach
programs
Delivering current priorities

Revitalize Library space
- Robarts – 1-5, 9-13
- Gerstein – Heritage spaces
- Engineering – updated service and
study space
Libraries - past, present and future
Accessing global information
 Stimulating learning and discovery
 Preserving knowledge and ideas from
other times and places
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Challenges ahead
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Maintaining excellence of research resources
Supporting graduate and undergraduate
student need for quality library space
U of T Library role in the global information
network
Future depends on you – working with
faculty to ensure the library remains
critical to their success.
Thank you!

Questions and comments?
Carole Moore, Chief Librarian
carole.moore@utoronto.ca