As the academic year comes to a close, the University of Alberta Library is proud to reflect on a year of shared achievements. Our libraries have continued to serve as active and engaging gathering places across multiple campuses. Throughout the year, we have continued to support our library community through welcoming study spaces, library instruction, research support, open publishing, digitization and expanded access to innovative technologies. These accomplishments are made possible by the dedication of our staff and the ongoing engagement of U of A students, faculty, staff, alumni, and researchers.
Community Engagement + Borrowing:
- 1,506,644 visits to our library locations
- 54,354 check-outs and renewals of library materials
- 37,463 in-person interactions at our service desks
- 4,473 chat inquiries answered by staff
- 769 visits to Bruce Peel Special Collections for research appointments, workshops, or exhibitions, with 1,561 special collections items consulted by researchers
Instruction + Research:
- 274 course-based instruction sessions were taught by librarians, reaching 11,126 participants across 17 faculties
- 151 workshops were offered on a range of topics, such as Embedding an Equity Lens to Generative AI’s Impact on Libraries, Law Foundations, Getting Started with Generative AI, and Archives Saint-Jean Aujourd’hui
- 1,760 research consultations provided, including 868 on systematic reviews that supported U of A graduate students, faculty, undergraduates, alumni, postdoctoral fellows, and staff
- Canvas embedded Library Guides were accessed by students over 113,000 times
- 3,700 students registered for a Library Research Skills Module in Canvas; our most popular modules included: Exploring Pros and Cons of Generative AI, Citing Your Sources, and Finding Specific Articles and Books
Digitization + Publishing:
- 3,983 digitized items made available on the Internet Archive
- 900,000+ student-run journal downloads and abstract views
Makerspace + Technology:
- 337 makerspace certifications were granted at the Digital Scholarship Centre
- 227 VR Lab, Media Lab, Media Studio and Audio Recording Booth bookings
To our students, faculty, alumni, and researchers, thank you. Whether you spent long hours in our study spaces or relied on our support virtually, your connection has made this a successful year of learning and collaboration.