University Librarian

A message from Amy Buckland

Dear Students,

The Concordia Library team welcomes all new and returning students and encourages you to make the Library an important partner in your academic success. The Library is comprised of the Webster and Vanier Libraries as well as the Grey Nuns Reading Room and Group Study Rooms. I invite you to visit these key spaces and find your favourite spots.

Our team of dedicated librarians and staff are ready to assist you with a variety of services, such as subject-specific research across our comprehensive print and digital collections, the use of network and interlibrary loans services, and borrowing a laptop, tablet or other accessories. Whatever needs or questions you may have, feel free to ask us, either in person or through our Ask a Librarian service. We are here to assist you!

You are also encouraged to visit the Technology Sandbox where you can explore emerging technologies and cutting-edge equipment such as 3D printing, the knitting machine, or digital music tools. The Sandbox offers numerous workshops, including 3D Printing 101, 3D Modelling 101, Virtual Reality Bootcamp, Arduino 101, Raspberry Pi 101, Introduction to Linux and digital die cutting. Try it out!

Course textbooks are located in the Course Reserves rooms at the Webster Library or Vanier Library. You can find all your textbooks and course packs for loan there. Both Course Reserves rooms at each library are open 24/7. You can also log into the Course Reserves system to consult a list of all courses you are currently enrolled in. Select the course you want and check if your instructor posted any readings for that course. The Library provides online access to course readings to all students enrolled in a class.

As I begin my journey as university librarian, I welcome your thoughts on how Concordia Library can continue to address and best fulfill your academic needs. Please do not hesitate to contact me at university.librarian@concordia.ca.

I wish you a term filled with learning, growth, and memory-making experiences. And don't forget - the Library is here for you.

Sincerely,

Amy Buckland
University Librarian
Concordia University

About Amy Buckland

Amy Buckland joined Concordia on September 15, 2023, and begins her role as University Librarian.

Buckland’s extensive career in libraries spans both academic and governmental settings, as well as work experience in publishing. It began at McGill University in e-publishing and digitization, where she managed the university library’s digitization efforts, developed digital collection workflows, and supervised institutional repository policies and content. She also led open access and scholarly communication initiatives.

Prior to Concordia, Buckland held the position of assistant deputy minister for collections at Library and Archives Canada (LAC) where she led a team of 500 staff and managed an annual budget of $50 million. At LAC she reorganized the entire sector to bring a renewed focus on access to the collections and was particularly active in advocating for the importance of establishing LAC as the home for the records of the Government of Canada.

Prior to joining LAC, Buckland was head of research and scholarship at the University of Guelph Library where she oversaw the collaborative development of a digital infrastructure to support the needs of research teams and new forms of scholarly communication that are scalable and sustainable. She led the development of a robust digital scholarship workshop series incorporating everything from data management to hands-on tools-based sessions, to broader conversations around the ethical considerations of gathering and sharing information.

Integral to Buckland’s experience, she also served as institutional repository manager at the University of Chicago Library. Jointly appointed to the library, university IT services and the Research Computing Center, she established the institutional repository service for publications and data to support the sharing of research materials, and implemented workshops and events related to open access.

Buckland holds a Master of Library and Information Studies from McGill and a BA in political science and women’s studies from Concordia.