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Academic Services – York University Libraries

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York's five libraries provide essential support for York's teaching, learning, and research activities. The largest of our libraries, Scott Library, holds our major collections in the humanities, social sciences and fine arts. The Scott Library also houses the Clara Thomas Archives and Special Collections, the Map Library and the Sound and Moving Image Library. In addition, the Peter F. Bronfman Business Library, the Steacie Science and Engineering Library and the Law Library are all located on the Keele campus. The Leslie Frost Library supports the curriculum and research on the Glendon campus in both French and English. In total, York’s libraries contain over 6.5 million items including books, journals, archival materials, maps, data,  videos, CDs, -- even a skeleton.

Professional librarians are available in all the libraries to help with research. Assistance is available in person as well as by e-mail, telephone and online chat. Instruction in library research is also offered by librarians in course-specific sessions and through general drop-in workshops. Whatever the context, librarians can assist you in defining research topics; conducting literature reviews and finding materials; critically evaluating information; and using it ethically. Check the libraries’ Web page for workshop offerings.

Research skills are of course part of a larger set of academic literacies needed to succeed at university. The Learning Commons @ Scott Library offers support on a variety of academic skills such as: writing skills, learning skills and career related skills.  In the Learning Commons Hub on the second floor of Scott, you’ll find librarians, writing instructors and learning skills tutors, who can help you with your academic work. For more information on workshops, drop-in desks and more, related to the Learning Commons, see http://www.library.yorku.ca/learning_commons/.

Many library collections and services are accessible on the Web. The libraries' online collections are available 24 hours a day at http://www.library.yorku.ca. Our site is a gateway to more than 60,000 electronic journals and other electronic resources including e-books, encyclopedias, dictionaries, subject guides, government documents, datasets and image collections. The libraries also provide RefWorks®, a Web-based citation management program. All these licensed e-resources can be used online by students and researchers with a YU-card (or other valid library card). For additional information on how to access our e-resources remotely, please consult http://www.library.yorku.ca/ccm/Home/eResources/RemoteAccess.htm.

In addition our print collections remain a crucial research resource. York has a collection of over 2.5 million print volumes. For more information on our borrowing privileges,visit http://www.library.yorku.ca/ccm/BorrowRenew/.

The libraries provide a variety of types of learning environments. Quiet study areas are available in all of the libraries, as well as areas suitable for collaborative and group work, including some 30 group study rooms. In addition to the provision of alternate format materials for students with disabilities, we have an adaptive equipment lab for drop-in use. Wireless is available through the libraries. The libraries provides hundreds of  desktop computers, print facilties and many other types of technology.

Our libraries are open from early morning to late evening most days. Round the clock study space is available 24/5 during the core parts of the fall and winter terms. For more information on 24/5 and extended library hours, please see http://www.library.yorku.ca/ccm/FacilitiesAndEquipment/LateNightStudy/.

We welcome you to the libraries and we encourage frequent visits, whether you come to read at a carrel, work together with your classmates or search for material through our website. Librarians and other library staff members are here to help you get the most out of the libraries: do ask us!