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York University Libraries > W. P. Scott Chair in E-Librarianship

W. P. Scott Chair in E-Librarianship

York University is the beneficiary of an endowment of $1 million from the Scott Family which is matched by York University creating a $2 million dollar endowment to establish the W.P. Scott Chair in E-Librarianship at York University Libraries in perpetuity. The Chair will honour the memory and contributions of William Pearson Scott who was a member of York University’s First Board of Governors in December 1959 and served as the Board’s Chairman January 1966 through June 1971.

Right: Cynthia Archer, University Librarian and Michael Scott (W.P. Scott’s son) at the E-Librarianship Chair launch, October 6th, 2008.

The Chair will be based in York University Libraries. The Libraries, with 40 full-time librarians, has an established and growing reputation in areas of e-librarianship such as digital publishing, electronic reference services, assessment of online collections, and e-learning. The W. P. Scott Chair in E-Librarianship will provide opportunities to accelerate the development of e-librarianship and the Chair will undertake and support groundbreaking, interdisciplinary research and development. E-learning, digital collections, social software, interactive and integrative online services and a multitude of emerging themes will be of interest to the Chair. The scope of the Chair will evolve quickly as technology evolves. The E-Librarian Chair will accelerate innovation in libraries for the digital world. The research may be interdisciplinary in nature and the focus of the research is not limited to academic librarianship only. 

Relevant Background Documents

Terms of Reference

  • Each appointment to the Chair will be a limited term appointment for up to three years.
  • A committee will be established to undertake a search for the Chair.
  • The selection will be based on the quality of the proposed research program along with evidence for the successful completion of the research proposal.
  • The successful candidate must have at least a master’s in library science or archival studies from an ALA accredited university.
  • The successful candidate would be an active and valued member of York University Libraries with office space, personal computer equipment, conference/travel funds and access to library and campus support systems.
  • The holder of the Chair (the Chairholder) will be required to provide an annual report of research activities to the University Librarian.
  • The Chairholder is required to provide W.P. Scott lecture or symposium relating to the theme of their research. This would be open to the professional library community.
  • The Chairholder is required to provide a presentation to members of York University Libraries and others on the results of their activities.
  • The Chairholder will have at least one opportunity to meet with members of the Scott family in a setting that is agreeable to both parties.