Giving to the Library

Open Education Resources

The Libraries, along with campus partners, offers OER grants to create or adapt open textbooks or to create open immersive content. Our OER initiatives since 2018 have saved TMU students millions of dollars in textbook costs, while enabling faculty to customize materials for their curricula. Grant applications are invited annually. As of 2026, TMU Libraries is adding a new collaboration with the TMU School of Medicine.

Material ConneXion

This technology-forward collection offers access to a curated knowledge base of innovative materials and processes reflecting current trends in global design, materials research and production. The collection is regularly updated to align with evolving course, research and studio needs. This resource is available to all students and faculty, and is widely used by disciplines of design development.

Library Research Commons

We are transforming the third floor of the Library into a Research Commons to create a research-intensive hub that accelerates interdisciplinary collaboration and fosters scholarly innovation. This new space will highlight the Library’s increasingly central role in supporting digital research at TMU in areas such as immersive environments, research data management, statistical data analysis, geographic information systems, digital making, drone technology, and scholarly communication.

Ronald D. Besse Information & Learning Commons Refresh

The Besse Commons on the Library’s main floor has provided TMU students with learning supports through access to advanced technology and scholarly expertise for more than two decades. It’s time to update this high-traffic space at the centre of the Library’s ecosystem to enrich the student learning experience. The redesign will create a better integrated consultation and service zone, as well as display areas and special exhibits.

Group study spaces

Our 29 high-demand group study rooms throughout the TMU Library were booked almost 50,000 times last year. We are gradually renovating all of these rooms to meet our students’ needs for convenient spaces for collaborative study. Improvements will include sound proofing upgrades, new collaboration technologies, renewed furniture, as well as improved lighting and safety features.

Through the First Edition Photobook Award and the Louise Penny Library Research Award, the TMU Library recognizes excellence in student learning and the creation of new knowledge. We aim to create new awards to celebrate outstanding achievement in: innovative use of digital technologies, creative activities and output, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary projects with research and/or experiential learning components, entrepreneurship and innovation.

The Library offers a wide range of experiential learning opportunities, from innovative experiential labs to our badging program and hands-on workshops. Our technology facilities such as the Isaac Olowolafe Jr. Digital Media Experience Lab, the Immersive Technology Lab and the Collaboratory also provide mentorship and peer instruction opportunities to our students. In addition, the Library employs a number of part-time students each year.