At the McLaughlin Library, we’ve embraced a team-based management philosophy that is rooted in our beliefs around shared leadership practices, innovation, personal management, strong communication, and collaboration. A team environment allows us to better leverage these strengths and to better support students and faculty in their academic pursuits.
Guided by the Office of the University Librarian, our internal structure is made up of the following teams:
Archival & Special Collections
Home to more than 20,000 rare books that range from the 16th to the 20th Century, Archival & Special Collections (A&SC) offers a passageway to the culture, social, physical and political history of the University of Guelph (U of G) and its disciplines. A&SC is responsible for collecting, preserving, arranging, describing, making accessible U of G’s special, rare, and archival information resources. They also provide experiential learning opportunities at U of G.
The team is responsible for the development, curation, and preservation of our unique collections.
Assessment & Reporting
Assessment & Reporting is responsible for assessment and user experience (UX) in the library. The team provides valuable information that leads to the improvement of library services, programming, collections, and spaces.
Collections & Content
Collections & Content (C&C) is responsible for building, maintaining, and stewarding general library collections. Guided by the library’s collections policy, the C&C team engages in evidence-informed decision making to build collections that are central to the evolving curriculum and research activities at U of G. C&C includes the following sub-teams:
Acquisitions & Resource Management
Acquisitions & Resources Management is responsible for the acquisition of resources, ensuring resources are discoverable and available, managing collections throughout their life cycle, and providing technical support to library staff and users.
Collection Development
Collection Development is responsible for building and curating general collections and collections of record – comprehensive research collections on topics of historical and enduring interest to the university.
Course Material & Reserves Services
Course Materials & Reserves Services are responsible for creating, processing, and cataloguing course related materials and facilitating students’ access to them. Content includes materials from the library’s general collections, materials provided by faculty, course notes, assignment and exam materials, streaming media, web content, and documents in both print and electronic formats.
Digital Strategy & Technology
Digital Strategy & Technology provides information technology services that support the library and our user community. The team:
- Manages, purchases, and maintains hardware, software, services, and licenses
- Oversees IT (Information Technology) and digital project management, development, customization, and integration of library systems
- Supports library systems and technology used in research, teaching, and learning
Content and Accessibility Services Team
The Content and Accessibility Services Team runs the programs and services through Library Accessibility Services (LAS), which supports students, staff, and faculty with disabilities through the provision of alternative formats as well as access to and training on assistive technologies. The team also supports the library and user community through the creation and maintenance of eLearning resources and platforms to support learning, teaching, and research skill development.
Learning & Curriculum Support
Learning & Curriculum Support (L&CS) is responsible for many of the forward-facing service functions of the library. L&CS is comprised of several sub-teams:
Access Services
Access Services manages the Ask Us Desk and is your first stop in discovering all library services, workshops, and events. They manage library user accounts, loan books and course reserve materials from U of G and beyond.
Information Literacy
Information Literacy provides research assistance to students and researchers who wish to enhance their information research skills. They also collaborate with faculty and instructors to develop in-class instruction, assignments and assessment tools to support and enhance students’ research skills.
Writing & Learning Services
Writing and Learning Services supports students at all levels as they strive to become independent, resilient, and strategic learners. They support instructors and campus partners in their efforts to help students develop academic skills and make academic transitions. In addition to providing a wide range of resources, workshops and support, the team is also home to a variety of core programs that assist students in reaching their academic goals.
Learn more about:
Library Administration Services
Library Administration Services contributes to the overall strategy of the library and is comprised of the following teams:
Communications & Marketing
Communications & Marketing is responsible for the library’s communications and marketing strategy. The portfolio includes contributing to website content, social media management, digital and print advertising, publications, newsletters, email marketing, and other promotional efforts.
Facilities Services
Facilities Services maintains and manages the building. This includes all physical spaces, shipping and receiving, building improvement projects, and administration of the library’s room bookings.
Human Resources & Administration
Human Resources & Administration provides support for recruitment, onboarding, compensation, performance planning, staff training and development, and employee relations.
The Tri University Group of Libraries Annex
The Tri University Group of Libraries Annex is the offsite storage facility for the University of Guelph, University of Waterloo, and Wilfred Laurier University. The team is responsible for filling requests and circulating materials.
Research & Scholarship
The Research & Scholarship team is responsible for supporting and contributing to the work of researchers and research teams on campus throughout all phases of the scholarly communications lifecycle. They provide support for author rights, copyright and licensing, data services, open educational resources, publishing, research data management, and research impact.
Staff Directory
Looking for someone in particular? Browse the Staff Directory to find who you’re looking for.
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