Overleaf is an online collaborative scientific writing and publishing tool. It is designed to make the process of writing, editing, and producing scientific papers much quicker for authors.

The Toronto Metropolitan University Libraries is providing Overleaf Professional upgrades for all students, faculty, and staff who would like to use a collaborative, online LaTeX/Rich Text editor for their projects. Overleaf Professional upgrades include real-time track changes, unlimited collaborators, and full document history.

Overleaf Professional upgrades provide:

• Real-time collaboration in your browser for working together on a single version of a project, with an unlimited number of authorized users. You can add and remove collaborators at any time throughout the lifecycle of your document.
• Real-time track changes and visible collaborator cursor(s) ease work on collaborative documents.
• Enjoy real-time PDF preview of your document while editing and writing – type on the left and see your typeset document on the right.
• Full history view of your documents – see all changes made for the entire life of the document, with the ability to revert to any older version.
• Integrated, streamlined publishing – allows you to publish easily and directly to a number of integrated submission systems, including dozens of publishing partners.
• Use Overleaf for interactive demonstrations and teaching – https://www.overleaf.com/for/edu
• Two-way sync with Dropbox and GitHub
• Reference manager sync and advanced reference search
• Priority support
• Instructional articles and resources: https://www.overleaf.com/learn
• Free webinars with varying levels and topics (live options and pre-recorded on-demand sessions): https://www.overleaf.com/events/webinars
• Toronto Metropolitan University resource portal available – including easy sign up, templates, FAQs, and resource links.

Claim your Overleaf Professional upgrade by signing up (or signing in) via the Toronto Metropolitan University resource portal.   https://www.overleaf.com/edu/torontomu

The University Library Special Collections, and The Photographic Historical Society of Canada.

The University Library First Edition Photobook Award launched in 2015, with Alison Skyrme, special collections and liaison librarian and Christopher Manson, image arts instructor leading the awards program. 

The award was initiated in relation to work completed as part of a third year Image Arts course titled: The Photographic Book. For the course, students learn design and composition principles and are required to conceive of, and produce, their own photobook from their own photography. 

“This is the 8th year of the award and I am always impressed with the quality of the work that the photography students produce,” says Skyrme.

Each year student works are submitted for the award and the winning photobooks are selected by panel. 

In addition to the award, the photobooks are purchased by the Library, become part of the Library collection and are displayed at the Archives and Special Collections along other esteemed collections including the Kodak collection. The acquisition of these titles is supported by a donation from The Photographic Historical Society of Canada.

“Every year our collection of student books grows, we have 54 in the collection now, and it becomes a stronger and more impressive record of the creativity and talent of the photography students over time,” says Skyrme.

 

The 2022 First Edition Photobook Award winners, include:

 

The Paper
By Kayla Ward

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back Book
By Pengxiang Zhou

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shrieking Sisterhood
By Kayla Ward

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calm and Chaos
By Kay Nadjiwon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rosemary and Thyme
By Katya Lina

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Need Me
By Payton Keeler Cox

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meu Avo
By Andrew Moreno

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bring Back Ice to the Lake
By Yixuan Mark Wang

We’re joining the Archives of Ontario in their #ArchivesAtoZ month-long campaign. The aim is to increase the public’s awareness of archives and their collections. University Archives and Special Collections will sharing four blog posts throughout the month showcasing items from our holdings and demystifying archival concepts related to each letter of the alphabet.

Take a look and follow along!

Open Education Week is a global event designed to raise awareness of free and open sharing in education and the benefits they bring to faculty, instructors and students.

The Library, in partnership with the Centre for Excellence in Learning & Teaching and The Chang School, is hosting two to showcase the Open Education work underway at the University.

Open Education Week events at the University

During Open Education Week , we highlight the work that’s being done at the University in support of open education. This includes the use of open educational practices and open pedagogy in the classroom, and the creation and adoption of open educational resources.

Join us for a series of lightning talks from faculty and instructors who have received grants from eCampusOntario or from the University to develop open educational resources.

Open Education Week Showcase

March 7, 2022, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., the speakers will be:

• David Cramb, Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Science
• Michael Dick, Contract Lecturer, Professional Communication at The Creative School
• Lester Hiraki, Instructor, The Chang School
• Jennifer Lapum, Associate Director, Quality Assurance and Professor, Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing
• Sally Wilson, Web Services Librarian, University Library
• Emma Wright, Manager, Global Learning and Engagement, Ryerson International
• Erin Ziegler, Assistant Professor, Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing

Open Education Week Showcase

March 10, 2022, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., the speakers will be:

• Sam Andrey, Acting Executive Director & Andre Cote, Acting Director of Policy & Research, Ryerson Leadership Lab
• Kelly Dermody, E-Learning and Accessibility Services Librarian, University Library
• Anthony Francescucci, Associate Professor & Joanne McNeish, Assistant Professor, Ted Rogers School of Business Management 
• Sarena Johnson, Liaison, Student Affairs, Aboriginal Student Services
• Michael Mueller, Contract Lecturer, School of Early Childhood Studies
• Megan Omstead, Program Coordinator, School of Nutrition

Open Education at Ryerson is supported by the University Library, the Centre for Excellence in Learning & Teaching, and the Chang School of Continuing Education.

 

Other Open Education week events across Canada:

Open Education Symposium

March 7 to 11

With a full week of events, The University of Alberta, Centre for Teaching and Learning is celebrating Open Education Week (March 7 – 11, 2022) by hosting their second Open Education Symposium.

While the symposium sessions are oriented to post-secondary instructors, we invite everyone from the education community to participate—instructors, students, librarians, educational developers, instructional designers and more!

 

Open Education Week 2022 – Open UBC

March 7 to 11

University of British Columbia, Vancouver Campus is hosting a full week of events with highlighted sessions on The 6R’s of Indigenous OER: Re-imagining OER to Honour Indigenous Knowledge and Sovereignty and Teaching with Care: An Introduction to Accessible Courses and Open Educational Resources.

 

The Library is very pleased to be launching the inaugural Virginia Edinger Walker University Library Research Award. This award recognizes student achievement in original research with a special focus on the critical use of library resources and research skills.  Three awards of $2000 each are available and are open to students across all disciplines and areas of study.  Applicants are asked to submit a long-form research paper, a short reflective essay regarding the research process,  and a brief statement of support from the course instructor.  For more information about the 2021/22 academic year application process, students should refer to the AwardSpring platform. 

This award celebrates the legacy of Professor Virginia Edinger Walker, who taught art history at Ryerson for more than 20 years. It has been established by Petros Dratsidis, the love of her life and husband of 50 years, in recognition of her great respect for history, art history, books and libraries. Professor Walker’s dedication to her students exemplified her unflagging passion and commitment to scholarship and research, which Mr. Dratsidis is commemorating through this award to inspire future generations of scholars.

Professor Walker’s Ryerson career was hard earned; her life’s journey to academic distinction was a road constructed around many obstacles and frequent delays. Her Depression-era childhood in a struggling farm family in the U.S. Midwest, described in a brief memoir, is reminiscent of John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. It was a hardscrabble existence that delayed her school admission until she was nine years old.

In high school she was placed in a commercial stream rather than college prep as she wanted, a decision she ascribed to her working class roots. As a result, when she decided some years later that she wanted to attend university, she was required to complete a difficult pre-entrance year to prove her worth. She was eventually admitted to the University of California at Berkeley, from which she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree before moving to Toronto with her family in 1965. It was here, in 1969, that she met Mr. Dratsidis in a seminar while both were pursuing post-graduate studies at the University of Toronto. They were together until her passing in 2019, sharing a life full of passion and travel.

For several years after her arrival in Canada, Professor Walker taught part-time at York University and in the Fashion Department at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute, where she designed three courses (History of Art, History of Costume and History of Design). After she was hired full-time at Ryerson in 1980, she organized annual study tours for second-year students, with whom she visited museums, galleries and workplaces in London, Paris, Milan and Florence. Those students she encountered in later years often told Professor Walker of the deep impression those unique experiential learning opportunities  left on their lives. The tours continued until her retirement in 1994. She spent many subsequent years as a docent at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Professor Walker valued education; it had not come easily to her and she never took it for granted. She loved teaching and took a great interest in her students. To the end of her life, she continued her own education through research and extensive reading, developing an interest in world history in her later years.

It is important to Mr. Dratsidis to commemorate his wife’s legacy and passion for teaching and learning – indeed, for life. In creating this award at the Ryerson Library for original student scholarly, research and creative (SRC) work, it is his desire that Professor Walker’s contributions to the Ryerson University academic community are not forgotten. 

Copies of winning students’ work will be deposited in the University Library’s Digital Repository, an open access digital archive for the University’s research publications and output.

In addition, winning authors will be invited to present their work at an annual University Library event to recognize and celebrate outstanding student SRC achievement.

For more information, contact:

Joanna Beyersbergen

Director of Development, Library

416-979-5084

jbeyersb@torontomu.ca

In Spring 2021, the University Library introduced a pilot Research-in-Residence (LRiR) program designed to foster, enhance and expand its role as a centre of innovative and collaborative interdisciplinary SRC on campus. 

This past fall, Assistant Professor Linda Zhang from the School of Interior Design was selected as the inaugural resident beginning January 10, 2022.

Zhang’s work focuses on innovation in community engagement methods, sustainable material fabrication, and visual data collection through architectural heritage technology (namely virtual reality, augmented reality, video games, 3D scanning and machine learning). 

During her residency, Zhang will be working to further develop and build her research plan for her current projects, and to collaborate with the SRC expertise of librarians and other faculty from across campus.  

“I am humbled and honored to be selected as the inaugural resident researcher,” says Zhang. “The university library has had such a remarkable impact on my career growth and trajectory since my first year at X University. Collaborating with the Library has propelled my research in ways I would have never imagined. I am so grateful to have this opportunity to delve in deeper within such a generative, innovative and experimental environment. I can’t wait to get started.”

Throughout the year, she will be conducting research on two existing projects, developing a research data management plan and providing open access for data collected. 

While the technologies (VR, AR, video games and 3D scanning) she uses in her work have provided opportunities to explore new and more equitable methods for engaging in community research, they create new types of visual and spatial data not traditionally collected or considered in research.

This new type of data presents challenges and opportunities for innovation in research data collection as well as unique open access for datasets. 

The LRiR program gives Zhang an ideal opportunity to further develop solutions for accessing, sharing and managing these types of datasets. Working with librarians and library staff, Zhang will explore the potential for the Library’s new digital repository in expanding access to this type of research, while also utilizing open access publishing tools to create opportunities for sharing more broadly. 

In addition to her work with research data collection and open access, Zhang will utilize the Library’s newly installed 360 Immersion Studio to explore additional methods of working with and understanding data, as well as how to make data more accessible to a wider audience including community researchers.

“The Library’s Researcher in Residence program is an excellent new addition to the Library’s work in SRC innovation and capacity building,” says Chief Librarian, Carol Shepstone. “I am thrilled Linda is our first Researcher-in-Residence and I look forward to seeing what is possible through these kinds of deep research collaborations.”

 

Welcome to winter term 2022. Although we find ourselves starting another term virtually and with uncertainty, I know there is still the same anticipation of new classes, new ideas and new possibilities. The University Library remains committed to making sure you have what you need to succeed wherever you are located and however you reach out to us  Whether you are a student looking for a safe study space, access to specialized equipment, or expert research help; or an instructor needing digital course readings, open textbook alternatives, or embedded research instruction from a librarian; or a researcher wanting to create a research data management plan, find advice on publication and dissemination, or join our interdisciplinary research collaboratory, the Library’s team of experts is here to collaborate and assist.

The Library has a robust digital infrastructure, and a team with considerable experience working in both virtual and in-person modes. We provide academic programming and services to suit the shifting environment — and do so with health and safety always in mind and in action.  

We thank you for your patience with evolving health and safety protocols and for doing your part to help us keep everyone safe.

Wishing you all the very best for a successful 2022 full of learning, new possibilities and ideas.

Read Something, Watch Something

The University Library and Positive Space are collaborating in order to bring together a curated list of books, videos and more by Trans authors and on Trans research for Trans Awareness Month, accompanied by actions you can take to support a trans-inclusive environment.

Consider this list an invitation to participate in an asynchronous book club, with a variety of options. The broader community is welcomed to read and watch their choice of selections from this list, available for free to students, staff and faculty via the University Library.

Do Something

If you are inspired to act, learn how some librarians across Canada are speaking out against Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist (TERF) speech in libraries. Add your voice! Below are two more ways to get involved.

Increase Representation in Wikipedia

Wikipedia and other reference resources have lower levels of representation of notable trans people than of notable cis people. Take part in this month-long asynchronous Wikipedia-edit-a-thon by enhancing or creating Wikipedia pages featuring trans people. Taking part is simple: if you have never edited a Wikipedia page, here are some guidelines and instructions.

Eradicate Deadnaming and More

The University Library is working to eradicate disrespectful language from catalogue records.  Libraries across Canada follow controlled vocabularies and standards but when these standards are slow to remove offensive subject headings some libraries make decisions not to follow the instructions. The Cataloging lab is one space where this work is discussed & shared. Our University Library has made several changes. In order to create a more trans-inclusive campus environment we removed various subject headings and replaced them with:

• Gender-nonconforming people
• Transgender people
• Two-spirit people

In addition to topical headings, the names of authors are controlled so as to be able to bring together variant forms/languages of a person’s name, which you can see in the metadata record for Malcolm X, for example.  Cataloguers can document personal and professional details about an author, including name changes.

Metadata records often include a great deal of valuable information about a person, yet libraries can also respect the wishes of creators by omitting information.  In the metadata record for Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama there is a Special Note informing cataloguers to leave her birthdate out of the metadata.

At this Library we will connect the links between names on request, and we will also remove links between works to avoid deadnaming, based on the direction of the author.  We welcome suggestions as to how we can build a welcoming and respectful space for research for everyone. If you are an author represented in our collection, let the University Library know how you would like to be represented by emailing: tgrover@torontomu.ca.

For TMU Libraries hours, please check the Library hours page.

 

TMU Libraries provides access to resources and services that support teaching and learning at Toronto Metropolitan University including online research skills instruction for classes, online workshops, individual research and reference help and access to a wide range of electronic resources, including: ebooks, ejournal databases, primary source databases, streaming media and more.

 

Library Instruction 

Subject librarians are providing online specialized research group workshops and research skills instruction to classes. Please contact your subject librarian to discuss and schedule a live virtual session for your students.

 

Subject Librarians

Subject librarians assist faculty with locating online course materials, including, but not limited to: readings, data sets, videos, podcasts and streaming media. 

 

Supplementary Course Materials Guide

The supplementary course materials guide provides information on the Library’s online educational materials (ebooks, videos, OER and more). It also includes a curated list of alternate educational resources available to faculty and students. Access to all online resources is available 24/7.

 

 eReserves and Digital Course Readings 

Ensure students have convenient  (and copyright compliant) access to customized  digital course readings embedded in D2L course Shells. To request eReserve course readings, please email reserve@torontomu.ca.

 

Copyright Guidance 

For information on copyright in instruction, SRC or scholarly publishing please email Copyright and Scholarly Engagement Librarian, Ann Ludbrook: aludbrook@torontomu.ca. To request eReserve course readings, please email reserve@torontomu.ca.

 

OER and Pressbooks

Open Educational Resources (OER) are materials that can be used and reused freely for educational purposes. The Library supports the collection and creation of OER by TMU faculty through the TMU  University Pressbooks platform. For more information, email Web Services Librarian, Sally Wilson swilson@torontomu.ca.

 

Electronic Resources 

The Library offers a vast and growing collection of electronic resources including ebooks, journals and newspapers, data sets, streaming media, databases (search by subject), Open Educational Resources (OER), as well as a curated list of resources temporarily offered for free by publishers.  

 

Textbook Collection

This fall, the Library’s Print Reserve service is providing access to print textbooks. Students can borrow print textbooks on short term loan.

For specific electronic textbooks, please check the TMU Campus Store for available purchasing. While the Library has access to some ebooks, commercial sale is primarily available to students only. Additionally, the Library cannot guarantee every student will have access, at the same time, to an ebook the Library has been able to purchase. This is especially important to note if using an ebook for an open book exam.

Check the Campus Store for access to electronic textbooks for specific courses.

 

Scan and Deliver Service

Scan and Deliver Service is available to students, faculty and staff who require access to portions of printed works (chapters, articles, etc.) that fall within copyright permissible amounts. Requests can be placed through the Library’s online catalogue.

 

Accessibility Services in the Library

For information on accessible formats, media captioning, and shifting to alternate accessible course delivery modes, please visit Library Accessibility Services. 

 

Research Help

Research help is available online to all students and TMU community members. Visit the Library’s Ask a Librarian live chat  service, or email your question to: refdesk@torontomuca

Updated: November 24, 2023

Welcome to TMU Libraries

Learn about Library resources, services, programs and spaces

Visit the homepage

TMU Libraries Hours

Please continue to check the Library hours page for updates on Library opening hours.

All campus building doors, including the Library building, are locked and require an active OneCard to gain access.

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Research and Reference Help

The Research Help area is located on the main floor of the Main Library (near the east entrance).

In-person research help is available:
Mon. to Fri.: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

 

Ask-a-Librarian Chat Service (Virtual Research Help)

September 5 to December 8, 2023

Monday to Thursday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: Noon – 6 p.m.
Closed Monday, October 9, 2023

If you have a question while this service is closed, send us an email – refdesk@torontomu.ca

 

Email reference assistance

• General: refdesk@torontomu.ca
• Archives and Special Collections: asc@torontomu.ca
• Geospatial Map and Data Centre: librdata@torontomu.ca
• Library’s Isaac Olowolafe Jr. Digital Media Experience (DME) Lab: dme@torontomu.ca

 

Research Help Appointments

To request a one-on-one online appointment with a Librarian, please submit a research appointment request.

 

Research and Digital Skills Workshops

TMU Libraries hosts a number of virtual and in-person workshops each month. Learn about everything from finding credible resources including electronic articles and books, how to do literature and systematic reviews, or learn Adobe Creative suite applications for projects and for fun!

 

Subject Research Guides

Subject guides assist with finding online articles and books applicable to your topic and courses.

 

Research Help Guide

Research guides get you started on how to plan and carry out your research. Online research tutorials are available to help walk you through each step of the research process.

 

Subject Librarians

Connect with your subject liaison librarian to learn more about resources and materials available specifically for your area of study.

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Where to study

Study Space

Quiet study  space is available on floors 4-7, and 9. Silent study space is on floor 10.

Group Study Room Booking

Group study rooms are now available for booking.

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Borrowing and Lending Services

Laptop Lending

TMU Libraries has laptops available for loan from the Circulation Desk on the main floor.

Laptops may be borrowed for an eight hour period during the hours that the Library is open. The first time you borrow a laptop, you will need to complete and submit an Online Laptop Loan Agreement Form.

TRSM Laptop Lending

Laptop Lending for TRSM is restricted to undergraduate and graduate students, both full-time and part-time and who are currently enrolled in Ted Rogers School of Management programs only. TRSM users will need to complete and submit this TRSM Laptop Lending Request Form to access this program. Students who are experiencing  financial hardship will receive priority.

Online Resources

Access to all online resources including ebooks, ejournals, data, streaming video/media  and more, remains available 24/7.

 

Textbook Collection

Print textbooks are available on short-term loan for the majority of undergraduate courses. Textbooks are available from the reserve collection at the Circulation Desk on the main floor of the Main Library and can be requested by call number.

Electronic Resources

The University Library subscribes to a wide array of electronic resources (articles, ebooks, data, video). To access these resources, you must be a student (full or part time), staff or faculty member with an active my.torontomu account. These are available remotely 24/7.

Interlibrary Loans 

The Interlibrary Loan service enhances the resources of the University Library by making material available from other libraries, organizations and document delivery services. Students, faculty, staff may use this service to request materials from another library provided the University Library does not own a physical copy or the online access is restricted. Please email any questions to interlibloan@torontomu.ca.

Online Articles and Databases

Access electronic multiple articles in databases, search journals, newspapers and magazines, or find specific articles.

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Scan and Deliver Service

Scan and Deliver Service is available to students, faculty and staff who require access to portions of printed works (chapters, articles, etc.) that fall within copyright permissible amounts. Requests can be placed through the Library’s online catalogue.

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Digital Course Readings

TMU Libraries provides customized online course readings for many courses. These are prepared based on instructor requests and are typically provided for access at the start of term.

If you have challenges or questions regarding access to these resources, please email: reserve@torontomu.ca

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Citation Guide

The citation guide provides assistance properly citing all material in various citation styles like APA, plus a list of free citation management programs.