The Ryerson Library comprises two parts, the Library and the Archives.

Library

The Ryerson Library is a real space and a virtual space. The Library is located at the corner of Victoria and Gould, with the Library entrance on the second floor. The virtual Library is accessed through the Library homepage at www.library.ryerson.ca

All Ryerson students are invited and encouraged to use the range of facilities and borrowing privileges offered by the Library. Its growing collection of books, periodicals, government documents, maps, audio visual materials, databases and other electronic information resources is designed to support the full breadth of programs offered at the University.

The Ronald D. Besse Information and Learning Commons on the second floor focuses access to electronic resources by providing approximately 140 computer workstations for student use, and also houses the Commons Learning Lab for library instruction, the Geospatial, Map and Data Centre, The Writing Centre, and the Audio-Visual Collections of the Library. A CCS lab on the third floor also provides additional access to computers.

Reference staff are available for assistance on the second floor during most hours of Library operation. Real-time on-line reference support is also available through our Ask a Librarian service on the Library’s website. Throughout the academic year, free workshops are offered to familiarize students with library resources as well as to enhance information literacy skills for academic success. Access to the Library’s collection of books, periodicals, and audio-visual materials is provided through an integrated online catalogue which can be searched using computers in the Library or remotely from computers on campus or at home. Reference resources and periodical indexes have been greatly expanded through numerous online databases, available from the Library’s homepage at www.library.ryerson.ca.

The Interlibrary Loans service allows students and faculty to borrow items and obtain articles from other libraries if materials are not owned by the Ryerson University Library. Ryerson students may also borrow directly from most university libraries in the country using their Ryerson library card. This resource-sharing initiative is known as the Canadian University Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement.

The Library provides a pleasant working atmosphere with carrels for individual study and study rooms for group work. Photocopy and printing facilities are available and are card operated.

Non-print material such as films, videotapes, audio recordings and slides are stored and distributed through Audio-visual Services desk, and facilities for using and previewing these materials are provided for students and faculty. Audio-visual Services also arranges rental and leasing of films and other materials.

Students should familiarize themselves with the terms and conditions relating to the use of Library materials and facilities. Policies and regulations, including the Code of Library Conduct, are available on the Library website at www.library.ryerson.ca. Misuse of the Library’s resources and facilities by any user is an offence. Theft and mutilation of Library material can result in a $100 fine plus the replacement cost of the material. Students are responsible for all material borrowed on their Library card. Loss or theft of cards should be reported immediately at the Library circulation desk. Lending of Library cards is prohibited. Eating, drinking, smoking, and excessive noise are prohibited throughout the Library. For more details or to reach the Library directly, call (416) 979-5055.

Library Hours (Academic Year)

For Christmas, exam period, other holiday hours, and summer hours, see the notice board outside the Library, visit our website, or call (416) 979-5055.

Librarians

Librarian Emeritus

Richard Malinski, BA, BLS, MA, MBA, PhD

Archives

The Ryerson Archives, a unit within the Library, is a resource facility which documents the history of Ryerson University. Its holdings vary in range from documentary or manuscript material such as minutes, correspondence, reports and publications to non-print material such as photographs, films, videotapes, audio-recordings, paintings, maps and artifacts. They are used for in-depth research projects, general information and reference inquiries and displays. The Archives also co-ordinates the University’s records management program by assisting academic and administrative departments in the areas of records analysis, scheduling, filing, storage and disposition.

The Archives, located on the third floor of the Library, is accessible to all members of the Ryerson Community and the general public from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year. Materials must be consulted in the Archives and are usually not available for loan or circulation. Visit the Archives’ website at www.library.ryerson.ca/archives. University Archivist: Claude Doucet, BA.