Scott Library’s Reference department welcomes a new librarian

Peter Duerr is the newest Reference and Government Information Librarian at Scott Library. Peter joined York University Libraries from a position as Reference Librarian, Knowledge Centre/Library, Office of the Auditor General of Canada in Ottawa. He holds a Master of Information Studies degree from the University of Western Ontario and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in English from York University.

Previous to his position in the Office of the Auditor General of Canada, Peter held professional librarian appointments at Algonquin College, the New Rochelle (NY) Public Library and the New Amsterdam branch of the New York Public Library. At York, Peter will be specializing in Canadian government materials (federal, provincial and municipal) and working closely with Amanda Wakaruk, who specializes in foreign and international government materials.

Peter is mindful of both the potential advantages and the challenges of the ever-increasing pace of conversion from paper copy to electronic access to government information. On the positive side is the ability to view articles of all descriptions ‘round the clock, eliminating the burdens of distance, using no more than a standard computer and Internet connection. However, Peter emphasizes that while government is anxious to increase access to their publications via the electronic highway, they must also seek to ensure that items are permanently preserved and remain easily retrievable over time.

Peter’s personal interests include environmentalism and Victorian studies. He believes that “we must learn to treat Mother Nature with a great more respect than we do at present or face her very unpleasant responses.” Peter views the Victorian period as neither stuffy nor monolithic (as is often popularly thought), and observes that many of the “isms” that so affect our life today (such as racism, feminism, capitalism, sexism) were already entrenched in that era.

Peter very much looks forward to collaborating with faculty and students in further developing the Libraries’ collection of or access to government materials. He welcomes comments or suggestions and can be reached at pduerr@yorku.ca.

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