Library news

Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA) holds a unique collection of textbooks used in British Columbia’s (BC) public schools since the province joined the Confederation of Canada in 1871. Curated by Education Librarian, Pia Russell, the British Columbia Historical Textbooks (BCHT) collection is a well-used and growing corpus of school books that records the remarkable, and often challenging, history of BC.

I first met poet Richard Osler when I travelled to his home in the Cowichan Valley with my colleague Heather Dean, Associate Director of Special Collections. Richard had contacted us about a potential donation, and Heather and I went together on a sunny afternoon in September 2023 to meet him and learn more about his collection.

The University Art Collections is pleased to loan “Split Raven Scarf” by Kwakwaka’wakw artist, Ḵaḵaso’las-Ellen Neel (née Newman) (1916-1966) to the Museum of Anthropology (MOA) for the upcoming exhibition We Come from Great Wealth: Ḵaḵaso’las-Ellen Neel and the Totem Carvers, at the University of British Columbia (UBC).

On February 12, UVic Libraries proudly co-sponsored the 8th annual ELC Research-a-Thon, an event organized by UVic’s Environmental Law Club in support of the Environmental Law Centre’s public interest work. The Research-a-Thon is a one-day event with a powerful goal: to harness the collective energy of law students to produce high-quality research in a short time frame, contributing to real-world environmental law issues in British Columbia.

The Summer Reading Challenge 2025 will award participants contest entries in exchange for each book and/or piece of media that they read/consume and record on their contest form from May 5 - August 29, 2025.

Students who attend a research help appointment with a librarian between March 11 – April 4, 2025 and complete a user satisfaction survey for that service can enter to win a $10 OneCard guest card (one prize available). The prize will be awarded via random draw.

Students attending ATWP Write-In 2025 are encouraged to participate in a 2-question user experience survey and random draw at this event.

Students attending DeStress Fest Spring 2025 are encouraged to participate in a 2-question user experience survey and random draw at this event.

Retired architect Don Lovell reflects back on 60 years of the McPherson Library.

Reflecting on the work life of Terrence Tuey worked in the McPherson Library for 39 years as a circulation student assistant from 1967-71, and then as a library assistant evening supervisor.

Step back into the 1960s and experience artworks from The Point Group, a modernist collective of Victoria artists formed in 1959.

First Generation Students are encouraged to participate in a user experience survey and random draw at an event co-hosted by UVic Libraries (Engagement and Learning) and the First In Class mentorship program.

UVic international students who attend the Libraries’ orientation workshop on January 13, 2025 are eligible for a random prize draw of a $20 ONECard upon completion of a short user experience survey on January 13, 2025.

As part of the renovation of the first floor of the Mearns - McPherson Library, we have installed four Tek Booths. Tek Booths are private, enclosed booths perfect for Zooming into classes or focusing on solo work. They provide power, wireless Internet, and an ergonomic work surface. Four booths will be installed around the main floor of the library, available for booking through our existing room booking system. Look for our new Tek Booths in late March, and for an opportunity to give us feedback about them soon after that!

Twenty bright and curious first-graders from Macaulay Elementary School’s French immersion program were the most interesting student group that visited the Digital Scholarship Commons (DSC) in 2024.

This year’s holiday card design takes its inspiration from the George Norris sculptural panels on the original McPherson Library.

It is with deep sadness that we say goodbye to Ian Baird, who passed suddenly on October 28, 2024, at 77. Born in Victoria and raised in his beloved home in Oak Bay on Oliver Street, Ian stayed close to home most of his life attending Monterey Elementary, Glenlyon School, Oak Bay High, and the University of Victoria where he earned a Bachelor of Arts. As an adult learner in his 30s, Ian earned a Master of Library of Science at the University of Western Ontario.

On December 11, 2024, at De-Stress Fest, students are entered into a prize draw upon completion of a short user experience survey. There will be a random draw for two $10 OneCard top-up amounts.

From October 25 - November 22, 2024 fill out a brief anonymous and confidential survey (takes 5 minutes!) and help us identify areas of the highest impact that can support Science graduate students.

Book and attend a research help appointment with a librarian between November 12 – December 6, and complete a user satisfaction survey.