Welcome to the TMU Library Collaboratory

The Library Collaboratory is a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research space equipped with 3D printers, laser cutter, prototyping tools and more, for graduate students, faculty members, including sessional instructors, and researchers at the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). Our workshops and events are open to the entire TMU community. Access to the Library Collaboratory, staff expertise and technology resources are for members of the space Library Collaboratory only.

Membership is free. Learn more about membership here.

Accessing the Library Collaboratory:

The Library Collaboratory is open to faculty, research staff and graduate students.

The Library Collaboratory is staffed Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The Library Collaboratory is available to members whenever Library Building is open, via card access.
Find the Library Collaboratory in the Library Building via the SLC Building. Upon entering the SLC Building, take the elevator up to the 3rd floor. Turn left and look for the Library Collaboratory at the end of the hall, marked by large yellow doors.
If you are interested in a particular piece of technology, contact staff at collab@torontomu.ca to make an appointment for training or consultation.


For Faculty, Research Staff and Graduate Students

Registered members of the Library Collaboratory are free to explore the possibilities for prototyping, learn new and emerging technologies, update fabrication and/or design skills, and explore the possibilities for interdisciplinary research. The Library Collaboratory is open to all faculty, research staff and graduate students at TMU, for barrier-free access to technology. Learn more about technology resources and membership.

For Registered Members’ Research Projects & Teams

Researchers (Faculty or Staff) who are also registered members of the Library Collaboratory who have a project team or would like dedicated space work can apply with a research project. Registered Research Leads whose research assistants need space to work or access to technology are welcome to register their project. Learn more about registering a research project at this link.

How we can help

Through the Library Collaboratory, TMU Libraries provides access to workspace and technology resources for TMU faculty, sessional instructors, research staff, and graduate students.

Community + Workspace

Researchers and/or research teams get access to a multi-configurable work space for research meetings or physical fabrication, a quiet room for interviews, and more.

Consultants + Project Support

Collaboratory Consultants are available to assist and advise on project development. Our diverse skill set covers a variety of technologies and disciplines.

Technologies + Fabrication

Access 3D printers, laser cutters, digital embroidery machines and more. Consultants on staff can provide members with one-on-one tutorials for technology resources.

Upcoming Events

October 4, 2023
  • AR Tools & Best Practices

    October 4, 2023  1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

    This introductory session will provide an overview of AR (Augmented Reality) tools and best practices. The session will be broken into two 30 minute segments for a presentation and development demo. Participants can expect to learn about the current trends in AR, along with development tips for creating 2D and 3D AR experiences. 3D modelling and 2D animation will also be discussed, along with the advantages and disadvantages for each when developing for AR experiences. Finally, participants can expect to learn about image tracking optimization for AR along with the best practices for 3D modeling, 2D animation, and interaction design. All the software discussed in this session will be open source, and the slides will be provided to participants after the session.

    THIS IS AN IN-PERSON WORKSHOP.

    REGISTER HERE: https://calendar.library.torontomu.ca/event/3745573

    THE LIBRARY COLLABORATORY IS CLOSED FOR THE DURATION OF THIS WORKSHOP.

    See more details

October 6, 2023
  • CLOSED

    October 6, 2023  10:30 am - 12:30 pm

    The Library Collaboratory is CLOSED FOR A PRIVATE EVENT from 10:30am - 12:30pm.
    Regular access and operations will resume at 12:30 pm.
    Thank you for your understanding.

    See more details

October 9, 2023
  • Library Collaboratory closed for Thanksgiving Monday

    October 9, 2023

    See more details

October 10, 2023
  • CLOSED

    October 10, 2023  11:00 am - 12:00 pm

    The Library Collaboratory is CLOSED FOR A PRIVATE EVENT from 11am - Noon.

    Thank you for understanding.

    See more details

  • CLOSED for Library Event

    October 10, 2023  3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

    See more details

October 13, 2023
  • CLOSED for tour

    October 13, 2023  10:00 am - 11:30 am

    Members are welcome to come in, but please aware a tour will be in progress from 10:00 - 11:30 am.

    See more details

October 14, 2023
  • CLOSED for private event

    October 14, 2023  9:00 am - 6:00 pm

    The Library Collaboratory is closed Saturday October 14 from 9am - 6pm for a private event.

    See more details

October 19, 2023
  • In the Field for Grad Students

    October 19, 2023  1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

    Interviews. Don’t we already know how to do interviews? What’s so special about talking to people? What’s the difference between talking to someone and conducting an interview? Humans are chatty creatures and we exchange information and ideas all the time in conversation. But in research, qualitative interviews – no matter your discipline or research area – require more care, an art unto itself.

    Join two experienced scholars and practitioners who have years of experience working of “in the field,” formally and informally interviewing people with different lived experiences, in a variety of settings, for a range of applications (including print publications, podcasts, radio features, documentary films and more). They offer tips, tools, and anecdotes from working in the field.

    Learn about how to prepare for your own qualitative interviews, hear about recording interviews for your scholarly research and also future proofing those recordings for other forms of dissemination like podcasts and radio features. Find out about the ins and outs of interviewing folks for your research, from finding interviewees, designing questions, developing rapport, the complexities of ethics, data management, and transcriptions – and everything in between.

    THIS IS AN ONLINE WORKSHOP

    REGISTER HERE: https://calendar.library.torontomu.ca/event/3750841

    See more details

October 24, 2023
  • CLOSED for Pink Libraries Tour

    October 24, 2023  11:00 am - 12:30 pm

    Come celebrate Pride in October with TMU Libraries! Join us on a guided tour of the Libraries, with a focus on 2SLGBTQ+ materials and activities. Learn about search techniques using our Queer and Trans Research Guides, explore the Collaboratory and Immersion Studio, visit the Law Library, and tour 2SLGBTQ+ collections unique to TMU at the Archives & Special Collections! Part of campus-wide October Pride activities.

    Register here: https://calendar.library.torontomu.ca/event/3755034

    See more details

  • CLOSED for Pride Make-a-Game Arcade

    October 24, 2023  12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

    The culmination of Fall Pride Make-a-Game Events at the Centre for Digital Humanities!
    Bring your Fall Pride Make-a-Game to the Arcade and play games made by other participants! Play games submitted to the Queerness and Games Jam too!

    More information: https://cdh.rula.info/newsletter/

    See more details

October 25, 2023
  • CLOSED for Show and Tell: Open Publishing Tools

    October 25, 2023  11:00 am - 12:00 pm

    See more details

Logo and Acknowledgment

All researchers and (and associated assistants) who access TMU Library Collaboratory resources (including consultation, workspace and training) in support of their research are required to acknowledge this support by displaying the Toronto Metropolitan University Library logo. Follow the link for more information.