UVic Libraries
Help provide expert and innovative access to the world’s recorded knowledge
UVic’s libraries provides students, faculty and the community with expert and innovative access to the world’s recorded knowledge. The collections can be accessed from any electronic location, opening new doors for international research and collaboration.
But keeping collections up to date is an ongoing challenge in a world where masses of new information are released daily. To maintain a comprehensive library means continually acquiring digital resources, specialized reference material and rare and unique documents. Too often, these critical learning tools are beyond the libraries’ budget. UVic’s collection of electronic journals and databases has quadrupled in the last five years. Electronic journals can carry a subscription price tag of $7,000 to $10,000 and licenses for publishers’ electronic journal packages can cost $100,000 or more. The recent introduction of the Island Medical Program means that UVic must acquire medical books and journals, a major ongoing expense. UVic’s Libraries are seeking donor support to help keep pace with the demands of the information age. The university also wants to build its collection of local archives and personal papers for use by scholars and the community.
The community has always been generous to the UVic libraries. The original library was built through a gift from Thomas Shanks McPherson, and a generous donation from the Mearns family has funded the development of the William C. Mearns Centre for Learning. Corporate donors, legacy donors and the Friends of UVic’s Libraries have all helped to enhance the collections.
UVic’s goal is to build the Libraries Endowment to $2 million, ensuring a sustainable source of funding to help the libraries keep pace with the rising costs of acquisitions and respond quickly when rare materials come on the market. The university is also seeking $1 million to develop a Faculty and Graduate Research Commons on the top floor of the Mearns Centre. The Commons will provide much-needed research and meeting space equipped with interactive technology as well as an open area for networking, research discussion and quiet study.
For more information, visit the Libraries or contact Ms. Christine Roome, Library Development Officer, at 250-721-8192, email croome@uvic.ca.
To make a gift to the Library Enrichment Fund, please visit our online giving page.
