Ink to Impact is a new series designed to shed light on what it takes to create a successful book proposal for academic publishing. Throughout the series, participants will learn about the monograph publication process, discover effective ways to approach and work with editors and publishers, explore publishing options, and find ways to address equity and accessibility in academic publishing.

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In focus: Scholarly monographs

Scholarly monographs are essential for publishing original research in the humanities and social sciences, especially for single-authored works, and are often critical for achieving tenure and career advancement.

On January 21, 2026 at 2 p.m. join us for:

Demystifying Academic Publishing: Insights from the Publisher’s Perspective

This is the first in the Ink to Impact, academic publishing series. This session aims to demystify the publishing process by revealing what happens behind the scenes: submission timelines, editorial decision-making, and what publishers look for in manuscripts.

Moderator: Prof. Naomi Adelson, associate vice-president, Research and Innovation, Toronto Metropolitan University

Panelists: 

• Rachel Stapleton, senior acquisitions editor, University of Regina Press
• Katie Gallof Houck, senior publisher, Film & Media Studies, Bloomsbury Academic Publishing
• Sam Hiyate, founder and CEO, literary agent, The Rights Factory

Target Audience: This session is primarily designed for early career researchers in the Social Sciences and Humanities who are working on their first single-authored manuscript. However, the conversation is relevant to researchers at all career stages, including instructors, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students, who are interested in understanding academic publishing from the publisher’s perspective.

Register now

 

 

In response to students and faculty increasingly expressing interest in knowing more about the research process and AI, TMU Libraries has launched a new badging program on AI Fluency. The program focuses on AI as it relates to research, information-seeking, verification, citation, and best practices for transparency.  

“The interest in generative AI workshops from TMU Library has been widespread from students and faculty,” says Reece Steinberg, head of Library Learning Services at TMU Libraries. “We developed this program to help guide participants in applying their own ethics in using these tools as the tools continue to change and grow in significance in their learning and life.”

AI tools are already being leveraged for efficiency, but students are using them to gain a deeper understanding of a topic, as well as for creative development. They use AI to quiz themselves, break down challenging concepts, and generate additional examples that facilitate understanding. Students are also employing AI to brainstorm ideas for assignments and projects, and develop custom case studies to be worked through.

Ethical use of tools is a concern, particularly when it comes to course work. Requirements on use vary from course to course, and students need to adhere to the course guidelines. Where the Libraries’ new workshops come in, is in providing guidance on transparency in use. AI can be very powerful in helping to enhance critical thinking, build problem solving and query skills 

As AI relates to the process of researching, there are tools embedded in search systems to synthesize information, answer questions, brainstorm related topics, and assist with actual search terms. Learning more about these tools and how they can assist in the research process are some of the reasons why librarians took on developing these workshops.

The two core workshops of the new badging program are: Artificial Intelligence: Delegation & Description, and Artificial Intelligence: Discernment and Diligence.

These workshops intend to help students, as well as all interested members of the university community, learn to use GenAI tools effectively and thoughtfully—or to choose not to use them at all. 

The workshops focus on building a robust, tool-agnostic skill set rather than a simple step-by-step guide. In the Delegation & Description workshop, participants learn to define overarching goals or projects, break them into tasks, and decide which ones to delegate to Generative AI. This involves gaining experience in comparing and contrasting different large language model chatbots and trying various techniques to improve GenAI outputs through effective prompting.

The Discernment and Diligence workshop focuses on critical evaluation. Students learn how to determine if GenAI outputs meet their needs, while gaining experience with the necessity of transparent use of GenAI, which includes proper sourcing and citation practices.

“We recognize students hold a wide variety of viewpoints when it comes to AI, and we see that as a strength,” says Steinberg. “The workshops emphasize transparency in use of AI and discuss practices like citation and AI use statements.”

While the program highlights a range of tools available to the community, such as Gemini and library databases that integrate generative AI, its primary focus is on cultivating a thoughtful and adaptable approach to working with GenAI. “These workshops invite students to learn practical skills while thinking about and exercising their own ethics to meet the goals they set for themselves academically, professionally and in life,” says Steinberg. 

The AI Fluency program encourages students to develop critical thinking habits and ethical awareness that can be applied to any large language model chatbot. In doing so, it empowers learners to become more confident using AI, even as the tools and technologies change.

 

 

 

Take control of your money and gain foundational knowledge to manage your finances!

Hosted by TMU Libraries in collaboration with Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) of Canada, this series is designed specifically to help equip you with the knowledge and practical skills to master your personal finances. We’ll bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and real-world responsibilities to help you to make informed financial decisions—from your time in school right into your professional career.

These workshops are open to all students, across all programs. No prior knowledge required. 

Join us for this four part series with Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada member, Dwayne Richards, CPA, CMA

Please note: all session will be recorded

 

 

 

Financial Foundations: A Student’s Guide to Canadian Banking (Tips and Secrets Smart Canadians Know)
Wednesday, November 26, 2025; 12pm – 1:30pm

• Designed for international students and newcomers to Canada, or anyone looking to understand the basics of Canadian banking and smart money management.

REGISTER

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Owning Your Financial Future: Managing Debt and Making Credit Work for you
Friday, Feb 6, 2026 from 12pm – 1:30pm

• Students looking to deepen their understanding of credit and debt while learning how to take control of their finances.

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Tax Essentials: What Every Student Should Know (Slay Your Taxes)
Tuesday, March 10, 2026 from 3:30pm-5pm

• Undergraduate and graduate students, particularly those earning income via part-time jobs, internships and co-ops.

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From Knowledge to Action: Crafting Your Financial Future (Building Wealth in Canada)
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 from 10am-11:30am

• Upper-year undergraduate and graduate students, particularly those earning income, managing debt, or planning for post-graduation financial independence.

 

TMU Libraries is pleased to announce that the 2025 Open Access Wall of Fame award winner is Dr. Kateryna Metersky.  This award honours researchers who have demonstrated a commitment to ensuring their research and outputs are open and available to all. 

TMU Libraries strives to recognize and support researchers who choose open access options when publishing their work.

This year Dr. Kateryna Metersky posted over 60 articles to our institutional repository Rshare and published two open educational textbooks supported with funding from the TMU Libraries Open Textbook grants.

Dr. Kateryna Metersky is an Assistant Professor at the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing and Interim Associate Director of the Collaborative Nursing Degree Program at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her program of research advances equity-focused nursing and interprofessional education and practice through international collaborations, community partnerships, and qualitative and systematic methodologies. Her work centers on promoting social justice, health equity, and well-being among individuals facing social, economic, and health challenges, with a particular focus on intersectionality and positionality in population-centred care.

Dr. Metersky is an Affiliate Scientist with the Global Migration Institute at TMU and the Institute of Education Research at University Health Network, as well as with the Canadian Centre for Mentoring Research. She maintains her clinical nursing practice in general internal medicine at Toronto Western Hospital.

A dedicated leader in nursing scholarship and governance, Dr. Metersky is a Vice-Chair of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Senate, a reviewer on the Research Ethics Board, and Co-Chair of the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario’s redevelopment of the Person- and Family-Centred Care Best Practice Guideline. She is also a Handling Editor for the Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Health Trends and Perspectives, and reviews for over 15 peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Metersky sits on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Interprofessional Health Collaborative and has completed advanced training through the Sigma Theta Tau International Academy for Global Advocacy and the University of British Columbia’s Program for Open Scholarship and Education.

Regarding Open Access, Dr. Metersky states:

I am deeply committed with all of the research teams I lead to the principles of Open Access as a way to advance equity in knowledge dissemination. I believe that research should be freely accessible so that ideas and evidence can move beyond institutional and geographical boundaries, fostering collaboration, transparency, and inclusion in scholarship. For me, Open Access reflects the core values of nursing, which include advocacy, compassion, and social justice. By sharing my research and work openly, I aim to help democratize knowledge, amplify diverse voices and reach diverse audiences to engage meaningfully with the communities I learn from, serve, and that can benefit from my findings. I see Open Access as essential to promoting global learning, mutual respect, and collective action toward health and social equity.

Open Access materials are scholarly works that are legally available online without restrictions, allowing anyone to read the full text. Open Education involves making openly licensed educational resources freely accessible to the public on the internet.

Learn more about open access at scholarly communications at TMU Libraries

 

Liam MacKenzie recently graduated from TMU’s New Media program. In his final year of study he worked as a Special Project Lead at the Libraries’ Digital Media Experience (DME) Lab where he developed an art installation that combined researching archival materials and using technology resources available at the DME. 

His project looked at local and campus 2SLGBTQ+ history while exploring ideas of fragility and permanence. MacKenzie worked with TMU Libraries’ Archives and Special Collections staff to discover archival campus records and student newspaper clippings that had reported on 2SLGBTQ+ campus events, and used resources available at the Libraries’ DME to etch articles onto hard acrylic material. Through the process of researching and etching these articles, MacKenzie’s project examined the fragility of history and the need to preserve the past. The project is on display at the Libraries’ Research Help.

Here’s what Liam had to say about the project and utilizing the Libraries’ resources to bring it to fruition.

Where did the idea of exploring 2SLGBTQ+ history on campus through the archival student newspaper articles come from? 

This was one of the projects I completed as a Special Project Lead at the DME during the summer. The idea of the project came from my personal interest in 2SLGBTQ+ history. I think it’s very important to learn from queer history as a queer person. I didn’t know much of local queer history so this project allowed me to research that.

 

How did the idea for printing articles on acrylic sheets transpire?

My background is in photography, and I’m interested in alternative ways of print-making. I learned the technique of laser cutting acrylic in my New Media program and I’ve been waiting for a proper project to utilize it. I think that the fragility of a lot of important institutions, and their history being at mercy at certain people in power, inspired me to take the idea of fragility and translate these pieces onto a more robust material, such as acrylic.

 

How did you discover the old student newspaper clippings?

The team at the Archives told me about an article from 1963, an artifact that they show on their Pink Library Tour. Then I went through archived On The Record, Ryersion, Eyeopener issues and collected various articles about queer and trans stories. I selected the ones I laser cut based on input from the DME team and the Archives.

 

How did the resources, expertise and opportunities at the Archives and Special Collections and at the DME help you bring this project to fruition?

The DME has a lot of great tools and equipment, and I was very lucky to be able to use them throughout my degree. My favourite piece of equipment is the laser cutter. Additionally, the DME team really elevated my project with their input and knowledge. I was lucky to have their support. 

It was also great to go through the Archives and see the evolution of reporting, attitudes, perspectives, and ideas through student reporting and world events, which was readily available for me to use. The Archives team was super helpful and gave a lot of great advice for this project.

 

Have you done other projects like this? 

Yes, I have done plenty of work with archival materials and laser cutting prints! The majority of them have been assignment work. I made a series of portraits that I photographed and laser cut on mirrored acrylic. I’m proud of those.

 

Will you continue to build on this project?

I want to! It would be great to include more of the series that I collected, collect more series, and laser cut them to the accurate sizing of the articles. I have a lot of ideas for this project, but I would need to secure funding for the project’s evolution.

 

Liam MacKenzie’s work is currently on display at Research Help

 

TMU Libraries is hosting an Open Access Week talk “Who Owns Our Knowledge?  A look at the draft, Revised Tri-Agency Open Access Policy on Publications.” This year’s speaker is Mark Swartz, the Visiting Program Officer of Open Science at the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL).

International Open Access Week is a global event held annually in October to raise awareness of the benefits of Open Access in the academic community.

This year’s theme is “Who Owns Knowledge?” — which, in part, asks how academic communities can reassert control over the knowledge they produce.

On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, join Mark Swartz, visiting program officer for Open Science at the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) to learn more about the draft, Revised Tri-Agency Open Access Policy on Publications and possible solutions that CARL is discussing to help institutions manage the new requirements. 

 

About Mark Swartz

Mark is a Visiting Program Officer for Open Science with the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL). Mark Swartz is also the Scholarly Publishing Librarian at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. In this role, he manages the university’s Open Access journal publishing program and institutional repository, while also overseeing grant programs that support book subventions and the creation of open educational resources. Mark’s research focuses on the evolving role of libraries in supporting open publishing and protecting user rights under the Copyright Act. His interests include open access, open data, OERs, the public domain, and privacy. Currently, he focuses on the surveillance systems underpinning commercial scholarly publishing and the implementation of secondary publishing rights in Canada. 

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8142-1613

Faculty and graduate students are encouraged to join us and learn more about how open access can help academics find a wider audience for their research.

 

Register

 

 

 

Feel like you’re drowning in data and not sure what to do with it? The journey from finding data to making sense of it can be challenging.

That’s where TMU Libraries’ Statistical Consultation and Learning Service (SCLS) comes in. Led by Data Librarian Kevin Manuel and Statistical Support Specialist Bhaswati Mazumder, the SCLS was recently honored with a travel award from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The award recognizes their 50th Annual IASSIST data conference presentation, “Enhancing Research Support through Collaboration: The Impact of the Statistical Support Specialist at TMU,” which showcases how the SCLS is helping bridge the gap between data retrieval and analysis.

Offered through the Libraries’ Geospatial Map and Data Centre (GMDC), the SCLS helps researchers understand and make sense of their data and statistical information. While libraries have always provided expertise in locating and retrieving information, SCLS now ensures there’s additional guidance analyzing and interpreting data effectively.

“TMU Libraries has long recognized a need for statistical support based on requests from our patrons wanting to analyze data that the Libraries provides,” says Manuel. “The addition of the service and a Statistical Support Specialist has allowed the GMDC to offer a full complement of data discovery plus statistical analysis assistance.”

The SCLS provides in-class instruction and hands-on support for graduate students and faculty. And, while the service supports all researchers, it offers additional support for anyone from non-quantitative backgrounds working on data-intensive projects for the first time. The service aims to make quantitative research accessible and less intimidating.

The award, from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, is a nod to these data consulting initiatives that help to advance scholarly conversations, collaborations and understanding on and of data and statistical science.

As the 2025 term begins, the SLCS is introducing new programming that adds to their outreach and teaching efforts. Since the field of quantitative research is always evolving, to ensure the Libraries’ keep pace, the Service is launching Stats Chat, a weekly workshop series starting this fall. 

Stats Chat is a drop-in workshop series that offers learning sessions on a variety of data and statistical topics every Thursday afternoon. “These sessions are designed to strengthen the TMU community’s data and statistical literacy,” says Mazumder. “My goal with the weekly Stats Chat is to create an open dialogue that helps participants discover the learning approaches and tools best suited to their individual needs.”

Through guest talks, class visits, and faculty consultation, SLCS is also actively exploring how to incorporate new instructional materials to make learning statistics and data analysis more effective.

 

 

“How we analyze data is constantly evolving—SCLS is here to connect researchers with the tools and resources to grow with it,” says Mazumder. By bridging the gap between data retrieval and analysis, the SCLS is empowering researchers to better understand and present their data.

 

 

 

 

If you missed last week’s Library orientation workshops, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered!

Check out Navigating TMU Libraries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learn how to formula solid research questions, borrow textbooks, and access media creation and immersive studios.  It’s all at the Library!

Research help

Researching for a project, essay or assignment? Visit the Library.

Librarians can help you understand every step of the research process. Whether you are new to research or a graduate student, it’s important to know the resources, process, services and opportunities available to help you succeed.

Research help is offered in a variety of ways: you can drop-in, request an online appointment, chat in real-time, or sign up for a workshop. 

It’s easy, all you need to do is ask!

Check out these helpful services and resources:

• Learn to formulate effective research questions
• Get research help
• Research help guide
• Take a workshop, sharpen your research skills

 

Access the information you need!

TMU Libraries academic search tool called Omni allows you to seamlessly access and search TMU Libraries, as well as 18 other Ontario university libraries–all in one place, at the same time!

Not only do you have access to over hundreds of thousands of ebooks, electronic journals, magazines, professional publications, newspapers, and streaming videos through TMU Libraries, but you can also access over 25 million physical items from 18 other Ontario university libraries.

Feeling overwhelmed and wondering where to start?

Subject librarians can help you understand available resources, and how to access and use them. Find your subject librarian

Subjct guides are curated by librarians. These are excellent resources that contain access to research and information in specific subject areas.

 

Take advantage of the Media Creation and Immersive Studios, and the Digital Media Experience Lab

These spaces and studios are for you! Regardless of what you’re studying you have access to photography, video, sound editing and podcasting equipment. 

If you’re interested in creating an immersive experience for a project the Libraries’ Immersion Studio provides you with the support and resources to make it happen.

The Digital Media Experience Lab is the Libraries’ makerspace. Here you have access to media stations, 3D modelling software and printers, sewing machines and so much more.

And, the Media Creation Studio is a beginner space where you can learn video editing, podcasting or still photography.

Staff are onsite to assist you whether you’re a beginner or an expert!

 

Borrow textbooks, laptops, camera kits and microphones

Of course you can check out print material at the Circulation Desk, but did you know you can also borrow textbooks, laptops, cameras, tripods, GoPros, and microphones?

Check the loan periods, and the equipment borrowing and lending pages for more information.

 

Specialized collections, and spaces

Material ConneXion is an onsite textile and material collection of items to explore, examine and research. This collection provides a tactile understanding of materials with information about each item, e.g. the type of material, what its make up is, and/or if it’s sustainable. 

While it is available to all students, it is primarily used by interior design, fashion, engineering, architecture and business students.

Geospatial Map and Data Centre (GMDC) provides access to specialised geospatial software, data and statistical resources. There are data, map and GIS librarians, analysts, and a statistical consultant and learning specialist. Here you can get assistance with GIS information and software, learn how to locate and access statistical information and data, and how to analyze and present it. There is also a large print map collection!

Special Collections offers access to rare books and primary source material like Canadian World War II comic books, Late Victorian avant-garde magazines, an original chromolithic edition of the Grammar of Ornament, a thank you note from Winston Churchill and so much more. Explore unique opportunities for research from the history of fashion and graphic design to women artists in the 19th century.

TMU Archives holds the historic record of the university from its days as a polytechnic institute to becoming a university. Explore images of campus life from the first days of nursing studies, activism, journalism, and even the construction of the Library building.

 

Study spaces, computer stations and labs

There are nine floors (2 – 10) available for work and study, each offering different types of spaces and seating options. 

There are computer stations and labs, group study rooms, open group tables, and individual carols and soft seating. 

Learn more and find your favourite study spot!

 

 

 

A significant collection of works by the late, visionary poet bpNichol has been generously donated to Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Libraries. bpNichol’s revolutionary work, particularly in concrete poetry, was a staple of the university’s curriculum in the 1970s. The donation, while solidifying TMU Libraries’ role as a significant repository for Canadian literary history, ensures bpNichol’s poetic legacy will continue to inspire and inform generations of researchers and students.

The collection, comprising nearly 200 items, is a donation by Brian Dedora, poet and close friend of bpNichol’s. However, its journey to TMU Libraries began with English professors Aaron Tucker (now at Memorial University) and Dale Smith who recognized Dedora’s collection as having great academic value, and brought it to the attention of Val Lem, head of Collections and former English literature liaison librarian. 

Lem, also seeing the value of the collection, then worked with Special Collections Librarian, Alison Skyrme to acquire it for TMU Libraries.

“Dedora’s extensive collection of works by and about bpNichol, arguably one of Canada’s most important and challenging poets of the 1970s and 80s, represented an opportunity for TMU Libraries to strengthen its collections that support the study of Canadian literature from the 20th century,” says Lem.

Its breadth and depth is what makes this collection exceptional. While not a complete set of published works, it is one that would be difficult, maybe even impossible to replicate since much of it  was acquired as a result of the close friendship between bpNichol and Dedora.

In addition to published materials, there are many items personally inscribed to Dedora including Christmas cards and small printed pieces that would have only circulated among friends and family. 

“The inclusion of cards and poetic artworks created for family and friends is a fascinating view into how bpNichol’s creativity was expressed in personal correspondence and offers insight into the author’s literary community,” says Skyrme.

One of the collection highlights is the GrOnk/Ganglia Press (of which Nichol was publisher) materials, including the complete series of GrOnk magazines and nicely preserved newsletters. These pieces alone make for a prized collection.

Another highlight is the complete Seripress catalogue. Works issued by Seripress are highly collectible and quite scarce. The catalogue donation includes the first book ever issued by the press, titled The Adventures of Milt the Morph in Colour. The book is a large portfolio made up of stunning collaborative works between bpNichol and artist Barbara Caruso, including 8 serigraphs limited to only 25 copies and signed by Nichol and Caruso. 

The bpNichol collection, now held at TMU Libraries’ Archives and Special Collections, offers researchers, students and faculty an invaluable resource for study. English scholars will find rich material for studying experimental poetry, sound poetry, and the Canadian literary avant-garde. Graphic design students and researchers can now explore first-hand the visual and typographical innovations present in bpNichol’s work, especially through the Seripress and Ganglia Press materials. The collection also provides insights for anyone examining the intersections of language, art, and media.

This generous donation will be known as the Collection of Brian Dedora and Donald Irving, partners of 46 years, during which time Dedora built the collection and Irving curated the framing and hanging of some of the Seripress collaborations. Facilitated by Professors Tucker and Smith and TMU Librarian Val Lem, the collection is an impressive acquisition of rare books and ephemera that ensures bpNichol’s vibrant and influential voice will continue to challenge, inspire, and redefine the boundaries of artistic expression.

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Upcoming bpNichol event!

Join us Thurs., Sept. 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m. to celebrate the bpNichol collection at TMU Libraries

Opening remarks at 6:15 p.m. by Mark Robertson, Dean of Libraries followed by Dale Smith, TMU English Professor in conversation with Brian Dedora, friend and contemporary of bpNichol and donor of this collection.

Materials from the bpNichol collection will be on display

Register:
https://bpnicholcollection_tmulibraries.eventbrite.ca