The Peter F. Bronfman Business Library opened for "business" in September 2003. For the first time in the history of the York University Libraries the majority of the business collection is housed in one library with staff dedicated to supporting the teaching and research of all business-related subjects.

The Library proudly bears the name of Peter F. Bronfman, who was associated with many noteworthy Canadian companies such as The Edper Group, Brascan, Noranda and John Labatt Ltd., to name a few. June Callwood, in a letter recommending him for the Order of Canada, wrote of "his inspiring decency, compassion and commitment". He was a patron of the arts, charities, hospitals, and universities in Montreal and Toronto. Peter Bronfman loved hockey and was one of the owners of the Montreal Canadiens from 1971 to 1978 during which time they won four Stanley Cups. The Peter F. Bronfman Business Library provides more than just a collection of print materials. We offer broad access to electronic resources and our reference librarians are specialists in business research. We are offering some new services such as reference assistance from the librarians' offices and full service circulation (we can issue faculty library cards, you may pay your fines with Interac, and so on ) as well as conveniently located network drops and a wireless area for laptop access to the campus network.

Study area with laptop access

In creating this new library Elizabeth Watson, head of the library, and staff worked closely with Schulich School of Business faculty and administration, the facility's architects, and those responsible for university and library facilities to create an innovative and welcoming space for students, faculty and staff. We have tried to create an environment, which can accommodate a variety of customers' needs - a place to study, but also a place to relax. For study and research activities, in addition to the group study rooms, we offer tables for groups of four or twelve, individual study carrels, and workstations to access our library resources. And for those who need a quiet place to study, there is a quiet room on the mezzanine where we ask that those using this room observe total silence. This means no talking, cell phones on vibrate only and no laptops.

	Students, faculty and staff can unwind in the spacious and bright lounge with a fireplace and a chess/checkers table, or in the current periodical room with a view. And…the food barrier has been relaxed, if not broken - you may bring finger foods and drinks in re-usable containers with spill-proof lids into the library.
	Current periodical room

Another recent improvement: this February we christened the newly completed instruction room, which provides twenty PCs for hands-on instruction. In Fall 2004 this room will be used as a drop-in lab for students when there are no classes scheduled.
Instruction room

The library is nearing completion and we invite all members of the York University community to visit us. We are located in Room S237 of the Seymour Schulich Building.

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