About

The University Library consists of three campus libraries:

With the Health Sciences Library (housed in the Health Sciences Centre), the McMaster Libraries system is here to support your research and learning needs.

The general public is welcome to visit the libraries and use our resources on site.

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Organization Chart

Organization Chart

 

 

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McMaster University Library - Organizational Chart (Update March 2023)

Library Facts

Library Facts

  • In a year more than 2,300,000 patrons enter the libraries and more than 20,000 research help questions are answered.
  • The Library's William Ready Division of Archives and Research Collections houses 4,600 linear meters of archives, including those of Bertrand Russell, more than 30,000 rare books published before the year 1800, and nearly 70,000 books published from 1800 to the present day.
  • The combined collections of the libraries total more than 1.9 million print and electronic books and 86,000 print and electronic journal titles.
  • General collection strengths support the research and teaching strengths of the University. Particular areas of emphasis include Biology, British History, Business, Chemistry, Classics, Economics, Engineering, English Literature, Geography & Earth Sciences, Health Sciences (with particular emphasis on problem-based self-directed methods of teaching and learning), Maps, Nuclear Physics and Religious Studies.
  • The libraries acquire print, non-print, and electronic materials from multiple sources. The acquisitions budgets for the University Library and Health Sciences Library are funded separately, and materials are ordered, received and processed independently as well.
  • The libraries participate in a number of consortial projects including CRKN (Canadian Research Knowledge Network) and OCUL (Ontario Council of University Libraries) for digital content.
  • The libraries participate in OCUL's Collaborative Futures program, using the Ex Libris Alma library services platform to manage cataloguing, acquisitions, circulation, and electronic resources, and Ex Libris Primo discovery software to power the shared Omni search tool. Omni allows McMaster users to discover and request library materials at any of the partner libraries. Omni is available from the Library's website.

Our Vision and Mission

Vision

McMaster University Library aspires to be a catalyst of intellectual activity for the University and its community.

Mission

McMaster University Library supports the University's research and teaching mission by advancing knowledge and discovery, inspiring creativity and building community.

We deliver innovative services, welcoming spaces and exemplary collections to accelerate research, enhance learning and improve the user experience.

Learn more about our goals

Membership

Membership

The University Library is a member of the following organizations:

  • AAHSL (Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries)
  • AAO(Archives Association of Ontario)
  • Alouette Canada
  • ARL (Association of Research Libraries)
  • Archives Association of Research Libraries
  • BitCurator Consortium
  • Budapest Open Access Initiative (via CARL membership)
  • CARL (Canadian Association of Research Libraries)
  • CLIR (Council on Library and Information Resources)
  • CNI (Coalition for Networked Information)
  • CNIE (Canadian Network for Innovation in Education)
  • COAR (Coalition of Open Access Repositories)
  • CRKN (Canadian Research Knowledge Network)
  • DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals)
  • Duraspace 
  • EDUCAUSE (McMaster University is a member). An individual can create an acct. to view publications
  • IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations)
  • Islandora Foundation
  • NDLTD (Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations) 
  • NEADS (National Educational Association of Disabled Students)
  • OCUL (Ontario Council of University Libraries)
  • OUETD (Ontario Universities Educational Technologies Directors)
  • OLA (Ontario Library Association
  • Public Knowledge Project (PKP)
  • SPARC (Scholarly Publishing & Academic Resources Coalition)

Visit Us

Visit us accordions

More information about our individual library locations and spaces:

 

Accommodations -  Hotels, motels and other lodgings in the Hamilton area

Arts & Recreation - Listings of restaurants, shops, attractions, festivals, events and more in the Hamilton area

 

Google Map of Campus Libraries

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